Pumpkin Patch at Belvedere Plantation in Fredericksburg, VA

Belvedere Plantation hosts a Harvest Festival that showcases an ENORMOUS pumpkin patch!  It is a 645 acre working farm just outside of Fredericksburg, VA, located right off the historic Rappahannock River.

My son in the Pumpkin Patch <3

ISO 200 ~ 30mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/125 sec

© Corrie M Avila

I came last week as a chaperone for my son's kindergarten field trip and fell in love with the plantation.  I made plans to return this week to take photos.  I was able to bring my 3y/o son with me and to say he had the time of his life would be an understatement!

Cornfield Maze

ISO 100 ~ 60mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/400 sec

© Corrie M Avila

If you've never heard of Belvedere Plantation, check out their website here.  I could list everything that is available and offered, but it would be easier for you to just check out this map because there is seriously so much to see and do.

When we first arrived, we walked around the flower garden on the back side of the slides.  There were rows and rows of sunflowers and wildflowers.  The sunflowers were so tall.... so tall that I had to look up to see many of them.

Sunflower in the Garden

Instagram Photo

© Corrie M Avila

Wildflower Illuminated from the Sun

ISO 100 ~ 60mm ~ f/3.5 ~ 1/640

© Corrie M Avila

Butterfly enjoying some Sweet Necter

ISO 100 ~ 60mm ~ f/4.5 ~ 1/400 sec

© Corrie M Avila

Next we went over to the Pumpkin Slide Mountain.  This is old school FUN ~ you grab a burlap sack, climb to the top of the mountain (large hill) and choose whether you want to go down the open slide or the tunnel slide.  I'm not sure who had more fun on this, me or my son :)

Pumpkin Mountain Slide

ISO 100 ~ 60mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/640 sec

© Corrie M Avila

Sleepy Pig @ Ye Olde Barnyard

ISO 100 ~ 135mm ~ f/8.0 ~ 1/100 sec

© Corrie M Avila

Fun Barn filled with Hay and Rope Swings

ISO 100 ~ 53mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/800 sec

© Corrie M Avila

Pedal Tractors Track

ISO 100 ~ 28mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/640 sec

© Corrie M Avila

From the slide we went over to the Cornfield Maze.  After speaking to the farmer (what they call employees, cute, right??) who was working the maze, we decided to not go very far.  The idea of getting lost in there wasn't appealing considering my 3 y/o and his ten minute attention span.  So we walked a little to take some photos, but then turned around and left the same way we came.  I'd love to come back another day to be able to go through the whole maze.  Check out the arial view, it is HUGE and has a pretty neat design!

Cornfield Maze

Instagram Photo

© Corrie M Avila

Cornfield Maze

ISO 100 ~ 28mm ~ f/13 ~ 1/160 sec

© Corrie M Avila

So to celebrate NOT getting lost in the maze, we then went on the Jumping Pillow.  It is like a huge bouncehouse without the top.  There are height restrictions, but my little guy made the cut-off.  They ask adults to not jump, but we can be on there with our kids.  I've got to tell you, between the Pumpkin Mountain Slide and the Jumping Pillow, I felt like I was a little kid again.

Jumping Pillow

Instagram Photo

© Corrie M Avila

Next, it was time for the hayride to the pumpkin patch.  The hayride takes you through the farm and you get such a beautiful view of the colorful leaves, the river, and the historic homes (that are still lived in today).  The farmer that joined us on our hayride was so polite and helpful.  She readily shared information about the plantation and enthusiastically answered any of the questions we had.

Entrance to the Hayrides and Pumpkin Patch

ISO 100 ~ 44mm ~ f/5.6 ~ 1/640 sec

© Corrie M Avila

Hayride into the Pumpkin Patch

ISO 200 ~ 28mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/500 sec

© Corrie M Avila

The hayride was my son's favorite part of the day.  He wasn't too crazy about walking though the pumpkin patch, but that was only because his little legs kept getting caught on the vines that seem to sneak out and trip him.  He was also concerned the tractor would leave without us.  But they waited for each of us to pick our pumpkin and I never felt rushed, even with the extra time I took taking photos.

Pumpkin Patch

ISO 100 ~ 28mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/160 sec

© Corrie M Avila

Our Pumpkin <3

ISO 100 ~ 28mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/250 sec

© Corrie M Avila

My little guy with our Pumpkin

ISO 100 ~ 28mm ~ f/6.3 ~ 1/125 sec

© Corrie M Avila

After picking out the pumpkin and taking our return hayride back, it was time for us to head home.  There was so much we didn't get to see and do that we will be returning at least once more before the end of the season.  The ticket prices are discounted during the week and then are higher on the weekend.  But it is worth it!  They even offer a military discount of a dollar off each ticket.  Being a military family, that is much appreciated <3

So we took our pumpkin to the Market (where there is also a bakery and gift shop) to have it weighed.  

My little guy's BIG 15lb pumpkin!

Instagram Photo

© Corrie M Avila

Market & Bakery

ISO 400 ~ 28mm ~ f/4.5 ~ 1/60sec

© Corrie M Avila

The farmers were all extremely polite and were very patient with everyone.  Even while waiting for the hayride, the farmers were asking my son questions and joking around, but at the same time making sure we were all safe.

It was a bit of a drive for me coming from the DC area, but well worth the trip.  If you are anywhere near Fredericksburg, VA and you are looking for an incredibly fun Fall experience, please check out Belvedere Plantation!

On the down side, we lost my son's sweater while we were there.  I didn't notice it missing until we were back at the car and by then I was too tired to walk all the way back to the lost and found hut.  When we got home I realized that my son swiped three rocks from the cornfield maze.  I figure its an even swap, but Belvedere Plantation, if you would like your rocks back, please let me know and I'll mail them....

"I don't see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one.  You can look around and there's not a sign of hypocrisy.  Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see."

Linus from It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

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Happy Shooting!

Corrie <3

I have not been paid or reimbursed to write this blog and everything written is purely my opinion.