Top 6 Fall Attractions Within an Hour of Melcher-Dallas
Melcher-Dallas Journalism students have compiled a list of places to go in the next few weeks, including pumpkin patches, orchards, haunted houses, and Halloween activities before time runs out! Here is a list of 6 places students think you should go.
Dan-D Farms Haunted Cornfield Great for teens
Dan-D Farms is great for teenagers and families. They are working with the Melcher-Dallas After Prom to deliver a challenging, scary corn maze with lots of dead ends. High school students will be working to scare you as you make your way through the field.
Spire Drink Company is having a pumpkin carving contest. All you have to do is go to Dan-D Farm, get a pumpkin, and tell them you're doing the pumpkin carving contest and they will pay for your carving contest entry. “Prepare for a night of thrills and chills. The cornfield is waiting for you… if you dare!!”
Location: 1978 112th Place, Knoxville, IA, 50138
Hours: 7-11pm
Dates: October 18th, 19th, 25th, 26th
Admission: $11 advance admission on their website or $15 at the door
Pierce’s Pumpkin Patch Great for families and kids
Pierce’s Pumpkin Patch in Chariton, Iowa has over 120 types of pumpkins and gourds. They also offer a hay bale maze, a costume shop, and a gift shop. Admission and on-site parking are free. Get some pumpkins to carve and treats to eat.
Location: 2491 Hwy. 14, Chariton, IA 50049
Hours: Open daily 8-6pm
Admission: Free
Parking: Free on-site
Adventureland Phantom Fall Fest Great for all ages
Adventureland is still open the next few weekends, with their rides open and different themed haunted attractions including carnival, Alice in Wonderland, Hellbillies, Nordic Nightmare, Deadsville, and the Fallen. There will be discounts on retail and food purchases. If you have a season pass, admission is free.
Location: 305 34th Ave NW, Altoona, IA 50009
Hours: Fridays: 6:00-10:00 pm, Saturdays: 12:00-10:00 pm, Sundays: 12:00-9:00 pm
Admission: $39.99, children 3 and under get in free, season pass free admission
Parking: $15
Mayhem Haunted House Great for teens and adults
Ottumwa, Iowa hosts a haunted house. On the third floor of the old country home and barn, Mayhem Haunted is sure to scare. Hundreds of hours are spent each year on set design and decoration. This haunt is not thrown together, as they have been voted the best haunted house in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Everyone involved in this haunted house are veterans in haunting and it shows.
Location: 13011 120th Avenue, Ottumwa, Iowa 52501, United States
Hours: 7:30 pm-12:00 am, intermission 10:00-10:30 pm
Dates: October 18-19, 25-26, November 1-2
Admission: $15 per person, cash and card accepted
Wilson’s Orchard Great for all ages
Newly opened in April 2024, Wilson’s Orchard differs from other activities on this list as it is open year-round with seasonal offerings from the farm and restaurant. Their property boasts a 125-acre farm with sheep, chickens, and pigs. Fruit such as apples and berries, and flowers are available for you to pick seasonally. Alongside that is a farm-to-table restaurant and farm market, also with seasonal offerings.
Location: 3201 15th Ave, Cumming, IA 50061
Hours:
Farm Market: Wed-Sun, 9am to 9pm
Ciderhouse Restaurant: Wed-Sun, 11am to 9pm
Sleepy Hollow Great for teens and adults, plenty to do for families with children
Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park. Open for all ages, some events within the park are suited for children, while parents should probably determine with their individual children what they can handle. With ten different scare attractions within the park, each at a different level, everybody can find something they enjoy. Their park also has a large collection of carved pumpkins to check out, and a food court. Axe throwing is another activity. The park is cash only with ATMs on-site.
Location: 4051 Dean Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317
Hours: Friday and Saturday admission stops at 11:00 pm. The park closes at 12:00 am.
On school nights, October 13, 20, 27 and 31, admission stops at 8:30 pm.
October 18-20, 25-27, 31-November 1 are the remaining park dates.
Admission:Tickets are $28 for children 11 and under. For those 12 and over, tickets are $30.
Parking: Free parking opens at 6:30 pm.