It’s the most wonderful time of year… THE HOLIDAYS! (Insert squeal and fist pump!) Kicking off the fall fun we have October; the month of pumpkin goodies, squash dinners, spooky decorations, costume parties, scary movies and, of course, the pumpkin patch.
Now, seeing that we are spending this Halloween in Las Vegas, I wasn’t sure there would be many outdoor festivities considering we’re located in the Mojave Desert. (It’s a bit harder to get things to grow out here!) So, I consulted my good friend, Google, who told me about a hidden agricultural paradise just north of Vegas: Gilcrease Orchard.
Gilcrease Orchard is sixty acres of farmland dedicated to a diverse mix of fruits and vegetables that you can select and pick yourself. It has been preserved for over ninety years for the community to enjoy. Ummm rad, right?! Beyond yummy fresh produce there is a slew of fun things to do here with your family and friends.
What you need to know
Season: Fall (check website for exact dates)
Hours: 7am – 2pm Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
Prices: Admission is free
Parking: Free
Extras: Wagon rides and hay maze = Free
Pets: No pets this time
Wheelchair accessible: Yes!
Fit for Families: Yes!
I recommend checking out the website prior to your visit if you have any other questions and to confirm the above details as they may change season to season.
We went to Gilcrease Orchard on a Thursday during the second week of October and although there was a good amount of people there it wasn’t too crazy. We were told that on the weekends it gets very busy, especially the closer you get to Halloween, so keep that in mind.
Walking into the Orchard we were greeted with smiles and warm welcomes. The staff makes you feel like family!
Our first stop… The food of course!
Friends, meet heaven on earth: the apple cider donut. This is a crisp little ball of sweet dough topped with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. It’s made right in front of you and fulfills every fall sweet-treat desire you could ever have! We also decided to go for the apple cider and the kettle corn because… no regrets.
There are many more yummy goods available for purchase by the check out stands. Honey, nut butters, eggs and other fresh produce are some of your options, all of which have been gathered and made on the farm!
There are some fun activities for everyone to enjoy like the hay maze, the wagon ride, picking produce and learning about some of the animals that live on the farm.
On the wagon ride your driver will take you on a tour of the orchard and tell you about the farms history, what they’re currently growing and show you the burrowing owl homes. Who knew some owls lived in the ground?!
Also, did I mention that there are so many adorable photo ops at Gilcrease?! As many of you know, I’m a HUGE fan of getting the perfect photo because when I look back on all those memories I want to remember it as beautifully on print as it was in my mind!
From the moment we arrived fall colors painted the scene, baked goods and flowering vegetation filled the air and the beautiful mountain crest drew the backdrop. So many perfect pictures to capture. Have at it friends!
So, we’ve eaten goodies, toured the farm, snapped a million cutie pics and now it was time for the grand event; pumpkin hunting!
There’s something so fun about going to an actual farm where they grew the pumpkin you will pick as the canvas for your future masterpiece. Most people think of pumpkins as perfectly round, orange jack-o-lantern types but the reality is that they come in many colors, shapes and sizes. Here you’ve got almost every option in the book.
Grab your wagon and get hunting!
We’ve waited all year for that cozy sweater-weather, the yummy comfort food and the beautiful colors that the plants and trees paint our surroundings. This seasons always goes by too fast, right? So, my dear friends, lets get out there and celebrate the harvest, hard work, change, balance and mama natures gifts.
Oh, and pumpkin spice everything… 😉
“Autumn is
An Artist who uses
An oak leaf on which
To paint a masterpiece.”
-William Allen Ward