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Fall in Tampa Bay does not come with falling leaves, but it does come with pumpkin patches, and many of them cost less than a movie ticket. From free-entry farm markets to corn mazes with low flat admission, there are real farms within an easy drive that make a cheap and fun autumn day out.
This list covers seven of them, stretching from Brooksville and Dade City to Plant City, Polk City, and Sarasota. Save it now, because pumpkin season goes by fast.
1. Beasley Farm, Brooksville, FL
Free entry is the headline here. Beasley Farm does not charge you just to walk onto the property, which makes it one of the friendliest stops on this list for anyone watching the budget.
The farm sits on Preston Road in Brooksville, about 45 miles north of Tampa. It works as a local produce market too, so you can grab fresh produce while you are there.
During pumpkin season, the grounds fill up with things to do. Expect a pumpkin patch with big pumpkins at reasonable prices, flower picking, a sunflower garden, pony rides, face painting, and animals to pet.
Vendors and food trucks round out the day, along with specialty booths selling goodies. The owners are known for walking first-timers through what to do, which helps if you arrive unsure where to start.
Hours run Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to 5 PM and weekends from 10 AM to 4 PM, with Fridays closed. Parking is free in the lot and on the street.
2. Fox Squirrel Corn Maze, Plant City, FL
Twelve dollars. That is the admission fee that covers the corn maze, the hay ride, and the games at Fox Squirrel Corn Maze, and it explains why this Plant City farm keeps showing up on budget fall lists.
Located on Varn Road, roughly 25 miles east of downtown Tampa, it is the closest stop on this list for most city folks. The corn maze is tall and challenging, so bring patience.
Kids get plenty to stay busy with, including goats to pet, pumpkin painting, games, and a pumpkin slingshot. Picnic seating and restrooms make it easy to stay a while.
Carving pumpkins are sold on site, with medium sizes going for around $15. Food trucks and a shopping market handle snacks, and hot donuts, caramel apples, and frozen cider are part of the fall lineup.
The farm opens weekends only, 10 AM to 5 PM. Parking is in a paid lot, so plan for that small extra cost.
3. Sweetfields Farm, Brooksville, FL
Timing matters at Sweetfields Farm. The family farm only opens to the public during its harvest seasons, weather permitting, and the fall event runs from late September through October.
A ticket gets you onto the grounds, and once inside, the list of activities is long. Think tractor rides, a hay wagon ride, a hamster tube, pumpkin bowling, basketball games, playgrounds, sunflower picking, and plenty of photo spots.
Farm animals, including cows, are part of the visit. The pumpkin patch is made for strolling, and pumpkins are available to buy.
I would save this one for a hungry afternoon. Apple cider and mini donuts are the snack stars here.
Sweetfields sits on Benes Roush Road in Brooksville, about 45 miles north of Tampa, and opens weekends from 10 AM to 4 PM during events. If you miss fall, the spring sunflower event and maze returns in May.
4. Dade City Farms, Dade City, FL
Parents of toddlers, this one is for you. Dade City Farms has a mini maze built for little legs, small enough that grown-ups can keep track of everyone.
The farm calls itself an agritourism destination and hosts seasonal events year-round, from fall festival to Christmas and spring. U-pick flowers and fireworks shows are also part of its calendar.
For fall, the setup leans hands-on. Kids can feed animals at the petting zoo, ride the hay ride or tractor, play in a corn bin, jump on a bounce pad, zip down slides, and try pumpkin smashing.
The pumpkin selection is solid, and a vendor area adds some shopping. It is a compact farm, so expect a relaxed pace rather than a giant festival.
You will find it on Lake Iola Road, about 35 miles northeast of Tampa. Parking is free on site, which keeps the total cost down.
5. Harvest Holler Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch, Polk City, FL
Cobbler at a pumpkin patch sounds like a bonus, and at Harvest Holler it is part of the plan. Maw Maw’s Country Store handles the cobblers and pies, while Paw-Paw’s Vittles serves the food.
The farm bills itself as a real working family farm in Polk City, about 45 miles east of Tampa. The pitch is slow-paced farm life, with hay bales to sit on and Southern sweet tea or lemonade to sip.
Activities include a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, a hay ride to see farm animals, and tire swings. Animals are available for petting and feeding, and shaded areas help on warm days.
The 2026 fall season runs September 18 through November 8, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only. Friday evenings from 4 to 8 PM are handy for after-work visits.
Saturday hours stretch from noon to 8 PM, and Sunday runs 1 to 5 PM. Parking is free.
6. HarvestMoon Fun Farm, Masaryktown, FL
Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats are the year-round residents at HarvestMoon Fun Farm. The Masaryktown farm raises and breeds them, and they are registered with the American Dairy Goat Association.
In fall, the property turns into a playground. A 70-foot jumping pillow is the big attraction, joined by a cow train, hay ride, corn maze, petting farm, and a fast slide.
Smaller extras keep things lively, including a bubble-making area, carnival-style ball tosses, and a candy cannon. The covered pumpkin patch offers some shade while picking.
The pumpkin selection can be limited, so treat this stop as an activity day more than a place to hunt for the perfect carver. Plenty of photo ops help make up for it.
Masaryktown sits roughly 35 miles north of Tampa, and the farm opens weekends from 10 AM to 4 PM. Free street parking is available along with paid options.
7. Fruitville Grove, Sarasota, FL
Heirloom gourds are the reason to head south. Fruitville Grove stocks traditional carving pumpkins alongside decorative heirloom varieties in all kinds of shapes and sizes.
The Sarasota farm shop sits on Fruitville Road, about 50 miles south of Tampa, making it a nice pairing with a Gulf Coast day trip. It opens daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, which is rare on this list.
Outside pumpkin season, it still works as a stop for fresh produce, honey, jellies, homemade jams, and goods from local vendors. Goats are part of the farm too.
The pumpkin festival brings vendors, food trucks, small games, and photo ops. It gets crowded, so arriving early helps with lines.
Dogs are allowed, restrooms are on site, and there is a free parking lot. Bring the pup and a trunk with room for gourds.
