New England Pumpkin Patch Named One Of The Best In The U.S.
In many regions of the country, it has become common to find Halloween candy displayed in stores in August. But late September and early October is the time when the pumpkin patches really thrive. USA Today’s 10BEST recently published a report on the best pumpkin patches in the country and a New England location made the list.
“While every state produces pumpkins (yes, it’s true), only the country’s top patches offer gourds and good times—think fall activities like corn mazes and leaf-peeping and spooky Halloween fun, including haunted hayrides,” 10BEST explains, providing details on their requirements.
When you plant pumpkin seeds, they typically begin to bloom within 8-10 weeks. Pumpkins then can take 90-120 days to mature, according to Creative Vegetable Gardner. Weather is an important part of the process. The warmer weather helps pumpkins grow, while the cooler fall temperatures are best for ripening.
Treworgy Family Orchards – Levant, Maine
Located in the Bangor, Maine area, Treworgy Family Orchards dates back to 1983. Two years later, as the apple trees were just about ready, they had to start over again. “The orchard was completely destroyed by round-headed apple-tree borers, small beetles that make tunnels in an apple tree’s trunk and disrupt its ability to move water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves,” Treworgy Family Orchards explains.
The family endured, kept working to keep their dream alive, and in 1995, officially sold their first apples. Today, they are the number one ranked pumpkin patch on USA Today’s 10BEST. In addition to picking your pumpkin at one of the best patches in New England, Treworgy also offers seven different apples you can pick onsite.
The farm café serves 13 different ice cream flavors. This is also where you can find their homemade pizza, topped with apple slices, bacon, and barbeque sauce.
After the autumn season, Treworgy Family Orchards will remain open and focus on Christmas festivities. You can cut down your tree, buy a fresh wreath and take a tractor ride starting Friday, November 24.
New England: 4 Of The Best Places For A Weekend Getaway
As much as I love my south shore area of the Northeast, sometimes there is nothing better than a quick pause. We are fortunate in New England that there are so many great options that are a short drive away. It’s not hard to embark on that perfect weekend getaway escape.
With summer coming to a close and the hustle and bustle of all the fall activities kicking into overdrive, here I will look at some of the best places for a weekend getaway in New England based upon all of those I have visited.
What Do You Look For In A Weekend Trip?
Many factors can be considered when nailing down that perfect two-day plan. We, of course, are graced with all four seasons of the year, so depending upon when you are traveling, different activities may be available to you. Then again, perhaps you don’t want any activities at all.
Food options are important to me. However, I don’t make trip plans based around what place has the best restaurants. I tend to lean towards exploring the local area in hopes of tripping across a local gem.
Driving distance is another thing I heavily weigh. Although I don’t mind the occasional long road trip, my preference is to maximize my time on a weekend adventure. Therefore, time in the car is ideally under four hours. Cost is always a factor.
Lastly, I must preface this list by stating I am an outdoorsman. A good book or movie can certainly do the trick. I always opt for great ocean waves, a rope swing, or mountain over an extra hour of sleep.
In recent years, I have been to each of the places on this list over various months of the year. They each have their own unique characteristics. Their common bond is that they are all great destinations for a New England weekend getaway.
Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.