One of the best things about living in Guelph is how fast the city turns into farmland. Fifteen minutes in almost any direction and you are following a hand painted sign toward a field full of pumpkins. Pumpkin season is short, so here are five farms worth your Saturday and what to do at each one.

Strom's Farm and Bakery
5089 Wellington County Road 32, Guelph

The hometown pick, and the shortest drive. Family run since 1978, with more than 7,000 pumpkins and a bakery famous for butter tarts.

What to do: Pick a pumpkin, walk the 5 acre corn maze, and stay for weekend Harvest Fun through October 25 with wagon rides and pumpkin chuckin'. The Mazing in the Moonlight night maze is the one for older kids and adults.

Good to know: Market and bakery open Wednesday to Sunday plus holiday Mondays, 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, September 19 to October 31. No admission needed to buy a pumpkin or visit the bakery.

Snyder's Family Farm
936685 Blenheim Road, Bright, ON N0J 1B0

The full day option. A 16 acre pumpkin patch, a 5 acre corn maze and more than 25 attractions.

What to do: Pick from jack o lanterns, minis, gourds and corn stalks, then take the hayride to Western Town, try the jumping pillow and the pedal carts. Get the apple fritters. At night in September and October it becomes Fear Farm, best for ages 12 and up.

Good to know: No admission required for the pumpkin patch or the Red Barn Bakery.

Erin Hill Acres
5837 Third Line, Hillsburgh, ON N0B 1Z0

A 90 acre lavender and agritourism farm. The prettiest stop on this list and the best one for photos.

What to do: Grab a pumpkin, visit the highland cows, take a wagon ride and eat wood fired pizza in the Courtyard Cafe. The 1800s barn has honey, lavender goods and gifts.

Good to know: Admission applies for harvest activities. Pre book online on weekends. Leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas.

The Fieldstone Barn
7450 Middlebrook Road, Elora, ON N0B 1S0

A 17 acre farm beside the Elora Gorge built around a 170 year old stone barn, within walking distance of the village.

What to do: Explore the corn mazes, meet the alpacas and shoot the classic photo of the 1800s doctors carriage surrounded by pumpkins. The Fall Festival and Artisan Market on October 18 and 19 adds 30 plus vendors, live music, horse drawn wagon rides, campfires and food trucks.

Good to know: Festival admission applies and it runs rain or shine. Pair it with lunch in Elora.

Springridge Farm
7256 Bell School Line, Milton, ON L9E 0N7

Best for younger kids. Pumpkin picking plus a 19th century barn market for produce, baked treats and gifts.

What to do: Pick a pumpkin, then let the kids loose in the Fun Farmyard with tube slides, the spider web climber, goat mountain, farm animals and the singing chicken show. There is a tractor drawn wagon ride and a corn trail. Lunch at the Front Porch Servery.

Good to know: Open daily 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is charged per person and weekdays cost less than weekends.

Quick tips:

• Go on a weekday if you can. Same farm, half the crowd.
• Bring cash.
• Several farm gates are cash only.
• Dress for mud.
• Pick the pumpkins last so you are not carrying one through a corn maze.
• Go early in October for the best carving pumpkins.
• Fall is my favourite season to show people around Guelph.

If you are curious what your home is worth right now, or thinking about a move before the holidays, reach out anytime.

Victoria Furdui

Sales Representative, Coldwell Banker Neumann Real Estate, Brokerage