Though it may not feel like it yet, fall has officially arrived! Beginning with the fall equinox on Sept. 22 and ending with the winter solstice on Dec. 21, fall is known as the harvest season, bringing a variety of ripening fruits and vegetables. Soon enough, Vanderbilt will see temperatures drop, and the leaves will transform into the lovely reds, oranges and yellows that our campus is known for. Until then, the Nashville Metropolitan Area offers plenty of ways for students to embrace the fall spirit, especially with its beautiful harvest season. Below you can find pumpkin patches, farms and orchards that make for the perfect fall day.
Flying Ghost Pumpkin Patch
Distance from Vanderbilt campus: 4.4 miles
Just a 15-minute drive from campus, you’ll find the Flying Ghost Pumpkin Patch. Open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CDT on Sundays, this small pumpkin patch on White Bridge Road has thousands of pumpkins ready for you to take home. With free entry, stop by to pick out your favorite pumpkins and chrysanthemums, enjoy pumpkin bowling and grab some fall treats and drinks.
Cheekwood Harvest
Distance from Vanderbilt campus: 7.2 miles
Located at the Cheekwood Estate and Gardens in Nashville, the Cheekwood Harvest runs from Sept. 14 through Oct. 27. This event features more than 75,000 pumpkins used to decorate their signature Pumpkin Village and create three pumpkin houses, as well as an assortment of chrysanthemums and topiaries. The nearby Beer Garden also offers food trucks and live music on the weekends, with all performing artists listed on their website. If you’re looking to take something home, stop by and choose your favorite pumpkin — perfect for decorating or carving.
Nashville Fall Festival
Distance from Vanderbilt campus: 18 miles
The third annual Nashville Fall Festival is open from Sept. 20 through Oct. 27 and is located in southwest Davidson County. Set on 66 acres, the festival features a pumpkin patch, sunflower fields, and, on select days, helicopter and hot air balloon rides. Enjoy a hayride, walk through the corn maze or take photos with their pumpkin decorations. The festival also features food trucks and live music every weekend.
Walden Pumpkin Farm
Distance from Vanderbilt campus: 24 miles
Take a 30-minute drive down to Smyrna, Tenn., and you’ll find yourself at the Walden Pumpkin Farm. Open Thursdays through Sundays from Sep. 21 until Oct. 21, the farm features a beautiful pumpkin patch with a variety of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes all available for purchase. The farm also offers fun fall activities with the purchase of a wristband for $12. Enjoy hay rides, navigate a corn maze or visit and pet the farm animals. At their Food Depot, you can enjoy hot food, great desserts and even some spiced apple cider.
Breeden’s Orchard
Distance from Vanderbilt campus: 25 miles
Located in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., Breeden’s Orchard is a beautiful peach and apple orchard featuring a fun market where you can purchase fresh apples, local honey, baked goods and more. Stroll around the orchard and admire the beautiful scenery or participate in one of their outdoor yoga classes. The orchard also hosts fun events throughout the fall featuring food trucks, vendors and other activities. Before you leave, be sure to grab an apple cider slushie and donuts!
Shade Tree Farm and Orchard
Distance from Vanderbilt campus: 40 miles
In Adams, Tenn., visit Shade Tree Farm and Orchard, a 140-acre farm with apples, blueberries, pears and peaches. From Friday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT, you can handpick your own apples or visit their store to buy apple cider donuts, apple butters and other fun foods. Stop by Saturday, Oct. 12, for the orchard’s Fall Festival, featuring vendors, food trucks and a variety of fall activities.
Whether you’re a fall-fanatic or just looking for something to do on the weekends, make the most out of Nashville fall with these pumpkin patches and orchards. Gather some friends for a day of picking out the perfect pumpkins, enjoying delicious apple cider donuts and admiring the beautiful fall foliage!
