Fall Festival at Barton Hill Farms!

It's that time of year again, y'all! While the temperatures are still forecasted in the mid-to-high 90's over the next couple of days, fall has actually arrived, believe it or not, and so off we went today to the Fall Festival at Barton Hill Farms!

If you remember from last year, this was our second visit out to the farms, but this time, Jack was walking steadily enough to explore the farms himself, and it was a huge hit!

Barton Hill Farms has been open for only a handful of years compared to some of the other local pumpkin patches, but the crowd that it draws is impressive nonetheless! Nestled on the banks of the Colorado River, the farm features a giant corn maze in the shape of a pumpkin, a smaller corn maze that follows the story of Spookly, pumpkins for both painting and purchase, farm animals, barrel rides, a "grain train", tricycle races, a giant slide, and kayaking!

This year, Ava was disappointed that there weren't pony rides, but she quickly came around when I told her that we could go kayaking together on the river! Bastrop River Canoes has a set up down on the banks to where you can rent a kayak for half an hour for a mere five dollars! $5.00! Once I heard that, I decided that, between the inexpensive cost and the beautiful weather outside, today was the day for her first kayak ride!

Notice the complete lack of paddle on Ava's part. Girl sure knows how to relax ;)

One big hit again this year were the sprinkling of kid-directed activities located around the farms. From the giant bounce pillow in the middle of it all, to the hop horses and the giant people wheels, there was lots to keep the kiddos entertained!

Another perennial favorite are the trains: this year there were two different types!

Barton Hill Farms is open weekends through November 1st, Saturdays from 10a-10p, and Sundays from 10a-5p. I will say that earlier tends to be better, as the crowds are lighter and the weather cooler, but even in the heat of the day when the place was packed, it was never uncomfortable or cramped - that's the beauty of those wonderful outdoor activities that fall brings! Get your tickets online in advance to save $1 per ticket, and go make your fall memories today!

Barton Hill Farms - Fun on the Farm This Fall!

Barton Hill Farms is set amongst 100-year-old cottonwood trees, rolling grassy hills and the picturesque Colorado River. The Fall Festival & Corn Maze is the perfect setting to let your kids enjoy true outdoor entertainment, including rides, games, a corn maze, pumpkin patch, local vendors and farm animals. Aside from family fun, they also welcome large groups and school field trips.

The farm is open Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 27th - Nov. 9th. The hours are Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

General Admission is $8* per person for ages three to 10 and $11* for ages 11 and up, and includes entry to the corn maze and pumpkin patch. Children two and under are free but must accompanied by a paying adult. The Adventure Pass is a $5 upgrade and provides access to the jumping pillow, barrel train, pony hops, and trike track. Most kids enjoy the Adventure Pass, but adults can stick with General Admission and be fine. Some of the other activities cost extra. Please visit the activities page for more information. For a more in-depth idea of what you can expect at the farm, check out my wrap-up from last year. 

*Prices do not reflect the $1 discount for online purchases.

http://bartonhillfarms.com/ticket-info/

Barton Hill Farms Fall Festival: Fall Has Arrived!

Fall is, hands down, my very favorite season! Though it isn't what most people would consider breezy outside just yet, any reprieve from the heat is so welcome after an entire summer of stifling heat that 85 degrees heralds celebration in central Texas, and celebrate we did, taking a trip out to Bastrop County to Barton Hill Farms' Fall Festival!

Aside from the cooler temps, another favorite thing about fall are the fall holidays, and what better way to kick off the fall holiday season than at a pumpkin patch! We make it an annual tradition for our family to head out to the pumpkin patch, and after our first visit to Barton Hill Farms, I'm certain that we'll be making this a yearly trip!

Barton Hill Farms is a relative newcomer on the pumpkin patch scene, having only been operating for fall festivals for the past several years. Nestled on the Colorado River, the farm offers up pumpkins and pumpkin painting, a giant corn maze (this year's is shaped like a Longhorn - Hook 'em!) and a smaller corn maze for the littler kids, face painting, pony rides, farm animals to pet, a barrel ride, tricycle races, and much, much more! One of the highlights for Ava during our trip was the jumping pillow situated in the midst of the farm - David and I took turns jumping with her because it was just that much fun! I'll be excited next year when Jack is sturdy enough to take a turn for himself!

Another big hit for Ava was the pony rides, especially when her pony, Sunset, took off in a (controlled) gallop! She talked about it the rest of the day, excited that she'd "ridden a horse" rather than just your regular walkabout on a pony. That'll definitely be a memory that she'll treasure!

For mama, one of the best parts was sitting outside of the big corn maze on a large swing underneath a shade tree, swinging with Jackson and watching David and Ava jump on the pillow! Nothing makes it feel like the weekend quite like swinging with a beverage and taking in a view of the Colorado River.

Speaking of beverages, there are a variety for sale there, including beer and wine! We were there early in the day before it started to heat up too much, so I didn't get a change to imbibe, but there was an assortment of vendors there with goods for sale, including brisket sliders, burgers, veggie burgers, snow cones, and more! Definitely don't hesitate to come hungry and make a day of it - there are lots of shaded picnic tables where you can eat!

We were so impressed with the staff, as well. I was asked multiple times by helpers roaming around the farm if they could help us with anything, and at the corn maze, we were given a great guide to help little kiddos navigate it. The woman who was at the admission area was a wealth of information and so friendly, and when my carrier flew out of the barrel somehow during the barrel ride, the driver quickly pulled over to get it for us and we all had a good laugh!

Aside from it being Jack's first trip to a pumpkin patch and fall festival, it was also his first time petting a goat. His reaction was fantastic, and very typical of Jack's general thoughts on life:

The Barton Hill Farms Fall Festival runs Saturdays 10a-10p and Sundays 10a-5p, now through November 9th. You can purchase discounted tickets online here, and vendors in the park take both cash and credit/debit cards!

Visit Barton Hill Farms Fall Festival and Corn Maze!

It's that time of year again! Pumpkin spice lattes, sweaters, and the sweet smell of fall in the crisp air can only mean one thing: it's time to visit the pumpkin patch! This is one of our family's favorite fall traditions, and I am so excited to introduce Jack to it this year when we go to visit Barton Hill Farms!

Barton Hill Farms is set amongst 100-year-old cottonwood trees, rolling grassy hill and the picturesque Colorado River. Our Fall Festival and Corn Maze is the perfect setting to let your kids enjoy true outdoor entertainment, including rides, games, a corn maze, pumpkin patch, local vendors and farm animals! We welcome both large groups and field trips! For more information, including hours and directions, visit Barton Hill Farms, and start planning your trip today!