It is our beloved fall time again! This year enjoy the weather and festivities in the Des Moines Metro this fall, whether outside at a pumpkin patch or inside at a haunted house there are plenty of opportunities to get together with friends and family to enjoy what the Metro has to offer. We here at the Talon have assembled a collection of apple orchards and pumpkin patches, fall events, and haunted houses in the metro area any of which will provide a truly amazing and festive fall experience for you and your friends.

Apple Orchards and Pumpkin Patches

Top Pick– Center Grove Orchard  

By far the most popular option for fall fun, students and families alike have always found a festive fall atmosphere with tasty snacks and food, fun games and activities along with attractions like their wagon ride, or even their corn maze.

Center Grove Orchard  – Cambridge, IA (Wednesday- Monday 9 a.m.-7 p.m.)

Iowa Orchard – Urbandale, IA (Tuesday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)

DeMoss Pumpkin Farm – Ames, IA (Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.)

Pumpkinville & Cornmaze – Mitchellville, IA (Daily 10 a.m.-8 p.m.)

Willis Family Orchard – Adel, IA (Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday 12-6 p.m.)

Black’s Heritage Farm – Ames, IA (Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)

Fall Events 

Top Pick– Uptown Ankeny’s outdoor cinema’s spooky series

In arguably the coziest part of town, with four days and four different movies it could not be easier to pick a date that works for your friends. Located in the festive Uptown and featuring some of the most popular fall movies, make sure to grab your friends and some blankets and enjoy the fall evening.

Uptown Ankeny’s Outdoor Cinema’s Spooky Series

417 SW 3rd Street in the backyard of Porchlight Coffee and Uptown Garage Brewing

Movies shown this fall are as follows (Movies start at 7:30 p.m.)

10/4: “Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban”

10/11: “Addams Family Values”

10/18: “Scooby Doo” (2003)

10/25: “The Nightmare Before Christmas”

        Pumpkins & Pints Harvest Market Uptown Ankeny

A night to celebrate the start of fall at the Ankeny Market and Pavilion (715 W 1st Street)

Beggar’s Night Oct. 30, 6-8 p.m.

Ankeny’s designated night for classic trick-or-treating.

Halloween In Uptown

Oct. 17 in the Uptown district

This event features a DJ dance party, a judged costume contest, and a trunk or treating area.

        Adventureland’s Phantom Fall Fest

The beloved metro attraction decorated for the fall festivities is worth a visit with more than four scare zones, a hay maze, and their typical rides and attractions, Adventureland is sure to provide a fun night with friends. Enjoy the Phantom Fall Festival all day every day through Oct. 27.

        Windsor Heights Fall Fest

At Colby Park in Windsor Heights, on Oct. 4 and 5. This family-focused fall festival is sure to supply fall fun, with a showing of Hocus Pocus in the park on Friday night, and live music, a parade, and fireworks all day Saturday.

Haunted Houses

Top Pick: Sleepy Hollow’s Haunted Scream Park

With six different haunting experiences this park will surely provide what your looking for. From Haunted Houses, to entertainment in downtime, and delicious cookies, the atmosphere provided at Iowa’s Largest and most elaborate Halloween theme park makes it the place to be.

        Linn’s Supermarket Haunted House – 3805 6th Ave, Des Moines

Nights of Operation in Oct.: Sunday 6, Monday 7, Sunday 13, Monday 14, Sunday 20, Monday 21, Tuesday 22, Saturday 26, Sunday 27, Monday 28, Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30, Thursday 31

Hours of Operation: Fridays/Saturdays: 7 p.m. – midnight. Other days: 7 – 10 p.m. 

As one of the oldest haunted houses in the metro area, Linn’s Supermarket does not disappoint. There is a reason why it is so popular, as it contains less blood and gore than others. It instead focuses on suspense this experience is sure to scare you and whoever else is brave enough to join you.

        Slaughterhouse – 500 Locust Street, Des Moines

Nights of Operation in Oct.: Sunday 10/6, Monday 10/7, Tuesday 10/8, Sunday 10/13, Monday 10/14, Tuesday 10/15, Saturday 10/19, Sunday 10/20, Monday 10/21, Tuesday 10/22, Saturday 10/26, Sunday 10/27, Monday 10/28, Tuesday 10/29

Hours of Operation: Fridays/Saturdays: 7 p.m. – midnight. Other days: 7 – 10 p.m. 

This year in a brand new location, no one is quite sure what to expect, but this new and unique experience will be one to remember with a story that follows you from beginning to end. The unsettling Bigg’s Family is ready for you and your friends if you think you are ready for them.

        Sleepy Hollow’s Haunted Scream Park – 4051 Dean Avenue, Des Moines

Nights of Operation in Oct.: Sunday 10/6, Monday 10/7, Sunday 10/13, Monday 10/14, Tuesday 10/15, Sunday 10/20, Monday 10/21, Tuesday 10/22, Saturday 10/26, Sunday 10/27, Monday 10/28, Tuesday 10/29, Thursday 10/31

Hours of Operation: Fridays/Saturdays: 7 – 10:30 p.m.; Thursdays/Sundays 7 – 9 p.m. 

More than just a haunted house, Sleepy Hollow provides numerous attractions including six different haunted houses along with other attractions such as hundreds of jack-o-lanterns or their diverse food court.

        Barnum Circus of Freaks – 97 Indiana Avenue, Des Moines

Nights of Operation in Oct.: Sunday 10/6, Monday 10/7, Sunday 10/13, Monday 10/14, Sunday 10/20, Monday 10/21, Sunday 10/27, Monday 10/28

Hours of Operation: 7:30-11 p.m. every night.

The newest haunted house in the metro area, these clowns are not quite the ones we remember from our childhood. Or are they? As the newest in the area, Barnum Circus of Freaks is sure to provide those scares you and your friends are seeking.         

        Adventureland’s Phantom Fall Fest – 305 34th Ave NW, Altoona

Nights of Operation in Oct.: Every day until 10/27

Hours of Operation: until 10 p.m. every night

Located in Adventureland, amidst their fall festivities are eight haunting experiences that are sure to provide the scares you are seeking this fall. Adventureland is redefining the expectations for a Halloween experience and you do not want to miss out on it.