Take Your Pick at these St. Louis area Pumpkin Patches

It's finally beginning to feel like fall. (Ok, not really, but if you step outside really early in the morning, before you've even had your coffee, there is a bit of a nip in the air.) But it is the time of year to start scouring for that perfect pumpkin. And in St. Louis, a trip to the pumpkin patch means you're in for a day of carnival rides, petting zoos, wagon rides, custard, funnel cakes and bounce houses along with the full fall harvest to load up into your minivan.

Here are a few popular pumpkin patches to put on your list.

• Eckerts Orchards: You might go for the pumpkins (and apples), but once your kids get a look at all the other adventures waiting for them this month at Eckerts, just settle in, because you'll be there for a while. With a petting zoo, pony rides, camel rides, a chance to feed goats, llamas and an ostrich or two, and more than a few carnival rides, there's plenty to make this a full day of fun. Take a wagon ride through the orchard and pick your own apples, buy them already picked, or get them already dipped in caramel and nuts. And don't forget the custard stand (as if your kids would allow that to happen).

Of course, you came for the pumpkins, and there's no shortage of those. From Giant Pumpkins for $30 to the 'baby' ones and all sizes in between (as well as those tiny colorful gourds), be sure to have plenty of room set aside for the goodies you'll take home. Eckerts Orchards are located in Belleville, Millstadt and Grafton, Illinois. There are no admission fees, but you'll have to buy tickets for carnival rides and pay a fee for some animal rides. Check the Eckerts web site for details on special events, like the Jumpin' Pumpkin Jamboree and Haunted Hayrides.

• Pumpkinland at Thies Farm. During the month of October, Thies Farm transforms into Pumpkinland, a "pumpkin-powered play area' for St. Louis families. With three locations that are a short drive from just about anywhere in the metro area, it's a great place to go if you can't dedicate a full day to pumpkin picking. The pumpkin playland includes wagon rides, a hay maze, pony rides, a pirate ship, petting zoo, crafts, hayrides and more. It's popular with groups, and if you go with a group you can arrange for your own hayride.

Pumpkinland is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 to 6, and 10 to 5 on Sundays. No reservations are needed for families on weekends, but groups are encouraged to make reservations. Admission costs vary, starting at $3.75, and include entrance into the kid's activity area and other goodies. You can visit Pumpkinland in South County, Maryland Heights or St. Charles. For more information, visit www.thiesfarm.com

• Stuckmeyer's Farm. Situated between Fenton and Arnold just south of St. Louis, Stuckmeyer's goes all out in October with pick-your-own pumpkins, pony rides, inflatables (including an inflatable farm train), every carnival food you can think of, Fort Spooky, a corn maze and lots more during Farm Fun Days every weekend. And of course you can stock up on fall farm staples, like several varieties of apples, gourds, corn stalks (great for decorating your front porch, right?), mums from their greenhouse and more. If hayrides are your thing, you can hop one of those too. StuckMeyer's Farm, Highway 141 and 21, just outside of Fenton. There are no admission fees, but tickets need to be purchased for pony rides and tractor rides.

• Rombach's Farm. This Chesterfield pumpkin farm has a lot of fun activities for kids on weekends, like hayrides, pony rides, face painting, wooden maze and wooden fort, barrel rides and farm animals. A big draw is the Great Pumpkin Pyramid. You can also stock up in the country store on fresh produce, private label jellies, jams and other goodies, and purchase some mouth-watering barbecue after all that pumpkin hunting whets your appetite. There are no admission fees. Rombach's is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, go to www.rombachsfarm.com

• Valley Farms. Nestled in the northwest corner of St. Charles County in Foristell, Valley Farms features a mini barn hay maze where kids can climb the maze and "breeze down the five-foot wave slide." as a free attraction. You may not be surprised that Valley Farms offers hay rides, a barrel train ride, farm animals, and pumpkin picking, but kids can also pan for gold, then trade in their treasure at the Gold Diggers Trading Post for their own unique souvenirs. Learn more at their web site.

• Brookdale Farms near Eureka is known for its corn maze, which becomes haunted on some weekend nights. But for those of you with little ones there are plenty of fun daytime activities to enjoy. You can pick your own pumpkins, ride the zip line, explore the mini mazes, hop a hayride or the cow train, frolic on the playground and spend some time with friendly farm animals. Most activities are included with admission, except pony rides and the pumpkin slingshot. Weekend daytime hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find out more at www.eurekacornmaze.com

• Relleke Farms. Founded in the late 1800s, Relleke Farms in Granite City holds a Fall Festival every weekend in October. In the 10-acre pumpkin patch you'll find pumpkins of all sizes (up to 150 pounds or more, they say), and kids can have fun in the jungle maze, corn maze, the straw pyramid, hayrides and pony rides. They can also feed the goats or hop a train ride. Weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for events, and the farm is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Visit rellekepumpkinpatch.com for more information.