Finally, leaves are starting to fall all around and the temperature is dropping. If you are searching for a spooky Halloween experience, or maybe a fun fall trip with the family, there are two places I would recommend you try.
A large selection of seasonal attractions are available at both Bellevue Berry Farm and Vala’s Pumpkin Patch. Both of these pumpkin patches are family owned and have been operating since the 1980s.
At Vala’s, their mission is to bring enjoyment to families and make magical memories. At Bellevue Berry Farm, preservation of farm land is a core value for the owners, and they aim to create memories for visitors at the same time. My preferred place for a late night scare is the Bellevue Berry Farm, while Vala’s Pumpkin Patch offers a nostalgic trip to my childhood.
During the fall season, Bellevue Berry Farm offers two haunted experiences at night: the Haunted Hayride and the Ranch of Terror. The combo pass that buys admission to the activities across the farm along with access to both attractions costs $30 per person and provides only one use. On the other hand, Vala’s Pumpkin Patch costs $23 per person on weekdays and $43 on weekends. This gives you access to the included activities like the corn maze, hayride, and more.
In my opinion, the haunted house at Bellevue Berry Farm was absolutely terrifying and I did not get bored once due to the amount of interaction I got with the scare actors. Along with the spooky decorations, there are people dressed in detailed costumes with stunning gory makeup walking around and scaring people who walk past.
The decorations at Vala’s were more simply fall centered; there were almost no horror visuals, if any at all. Scattered all around the area were games where you could win prizes for hitting a target or show off your strength with a big hammer. I stayed to watch the magic show where the magician cracked jokes and interacted with children in the crowd, inviting them to help perform a trick.
Overall, both pumpkin patches are a lovely place to visit; each of them have many great qualities that set them apart and make a trip there worthwhile. My visits were filled with fun and I am glad I went because this time of year is perfect to be outside and enjoy the crisp air with fun activities.
![Thud. Thud. Stepping into Vala’s Pumpkin Patch, sophomore Emily Sterup catches a photo to capture this moment. Sterup visited both Vala’s Pumpkin Patch and Bellevue Berry Farm to compare the fall attractions. “The atmosphere [at Vala’s] was clearly more catered towards families with carnival-like games, rides, and even a magic show,” Sterup said.](https://beaststudentmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/vallas-for-the-website-1200x675.jpg)