Bismarck’s Papa’s Pumpkin Patch rates among nation’s best

Bismarck’s Papa’s Pumpkin Patch ranks among the nation’s best. The Travel Channel has named the pumpkin patch one of its top 10 pumpkin spots five times, including this year. It’s easy to understand why. The pumpkin patch offers an enjoyable visit, which can last an hour or so or stretch throughout the day.

Papa’s Pumpkin Patch appeals to everyone. During our visit, we observed couples as well as families being entertained by the attractions. Thursdays and weekends, visitors can take a hay rack ride to the pumpkin patch to pick their own pumpkin. Papa’s has plenty of pumpkins of all sizes available throughout the grounds.

While some pumpkin patches may thrive to be mini-amusement parks, Papa’s offers a more basic approach.

We noticed the pumpkins that are spread out seem to create mazes. Papa’s offers more than a dozen varieties. Visitors are able to walk among the pumpkins and look for the perfect future jack-o-lantern. We loved the layout. Families with wagons were loading up several pumpkins. One preteen was carrying a pumpkin that was bigger than a basketball and probably weighted several pounds.

Papa’s Pumpkin Patch is more than pumpkins, gourds and squashes. Several attractions allow kids to entertain themselves. A hay bale maze seemed to be popular with kids running and jumping along the top of the bales rather than maneuvering through the maze. Regardless of the route they chose, the kids were definitely having a great time.

A corn crib allows kids to play with their food. Well, at least corn. They can fill up buckets and dump them or just jump around in the corn. Even some adults joined the youngins’ for some fun in the corn.

One of my favorite attractions to watch was the hay maze featuring tractor tires. Kids can climb the hay and the tires. It brought back memories of playing in the hay and on the tractors at some farms I visited as a kid.

Visitors can also ride a zipline, shoot a pumpkin cannon or ride ponies. These attractions are open Thursday – Sunday. Attractions range from free to $4. Most attractions cost around $1. Impressive.

Homemade swings are scattered around the grounds. As a kid, was there anything more fun than handing on dear life while someone pushed you on a tire swing? If kids today were like us, they try to push the swing as fast as they can.

Adults can have fun taking in some of the other attractions. How about sitting on a 15-foot tall rocking chair? I know someone who wasn’t too thrilled with climbing the steps and sitting on the chair.

A barn is decorated with hay bales and pumpkins. It’s a popular spot for photos. We observed some couples having a photo session there. Families were also taking part in the photo ops.

A small wooded area is perfect for a walk away from the grounds. Papa’s ensures they have that area covered as well, with props located along the trail. One of my favorite stops was at an old tractor. The rusted look appealed to me.

Lisa and I enjoyed a walk through the “corn maze.” It’s actually tall prairie grass turned into a maze. The grass was tall, possibly seven feet in some spots. It was a nice change from an actual corn maze. It could also provide an educational opportunity for kids to learn that at one time that was how the prairie looked.

Papa’s Pumpkin Patch may have a short season – it closes Oct. 22nd. However, people will have fun when they visit. We understand how people can make a full day visiting the pumpkin patch. The admission is $4 per person. Children 2 and younger are free. The admission is an incredible bargain. Food and drinks can be purchased on site.

We enjoyed our visit. We recommend checking out one of the best pumpkin patches in the United States.

For more information on Papa’s Pumpkin Patch, please visit www.papaspumpkinpatch.com, www.ndtourism.com or www.discoverbismarckmandan.com.