During the fall, it can be hard to avoid getting bogged down by homework and exams. That’s why it is so important to remember to give yourself time to get outside and explore the areas around campus. There are tons of cute farms and pumpkin patches to visit around Columbia. Here is a list of the most fun and Instagram-worthy places to go around COMO in the fall:
LLoyd’s Family Farm
7015 East Route Y, Ashland, MO 65010
If pumpkin picking is a fall staple for you, then Lloyd’s Family Farm is a great option. The farm has been in their family for about 120 years. This farm has fresh produce for any season. Depending on what is still in season, if you go in the fall you might still be able to pick up some fresh strawberries and blackberries. In the winter, they grow and sell pre-cut Christmas trees.
Peach Tree Farm
24863 MO-98, Boonville, MO 65233
This is personally my favorite place on this list because there is so much to do. There are animals like goats, chickens, and fish you can feed. If you are hungry, there are plenty of options for food. Some of those options are apples and peaches! You can grab a bag, pick some fresh apples and peaches, and pay for them by the ounce. There is also a hayride that will drop you off in different locations around the farm. My favorite part of the farm is the expansive fields of flowers. They have flowers of all sorts of colors, including sunflowers.
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
5901 South Highway 163, Columbia, MO 65203
This time of year is the perfect time for a hike in this expansive state park. The weather is chilly enough to keep you from sweating but warm enough to be outside. The park encompasses 2,273 acres and is filled with trees. In the fall, the leaves will be a multitude of different shades. Go on a hike before midterms or finals to destress and check out the gorgeous scenery that is so close to campus.
Eschenbrenner Farms
55728 E Splice Creek Rd, Wooldridge, MO 65287
This is another cute option for picking up a pumpkin. Their pumpkins come in a variety of different colors, shapes and sizes. This pumpkin patch is the most family-oriented on this list. So, if you have younger siblings or cousins that come into town, this will be a fun option for them.