As the weather gets cooler and the leaves change from green to brilliant autumn reds, yellows, and oranges, many Americans are heading outdoors to enjoy the fall weather. For many, the arrival of autumn means one thing — pumpkins. Enthusiasts can pick pumpkins at a local pumpkin patch, enjoy pumpkin-flavored baked goods, and of course pumpkin spice coffee.
While there are undoubtedly pumpkin lovers across the country, some lucky localities have an outsized number of pumpkin patches, fall festivals, and other autumn activities for people to enjoy.
To determine the best cities for pumpkin lovers, 24/7 Tempo reviewed LawnStarter’s list 2021’s Best Cities for Pumpkin Lovers. Nearly 200 of America’s largest cities were ranked on the accessibility to pumpkin patches, farmer’s markets, bakeries, and coffee shops, as well as the number of pumpkin-themed events and the average monthly local Google searches for pumpkins. Population data came from the U.S. Census Bureau.
America’s best cities for pumpkin lovers are concentrated in a handful of areas. Nine Southern California cities made the list of the 25 best cities for pumpkin lovers, as did several cities in the Pacific Northwest, the East Coast around New York City, and the Chicagoland area. Illinois and California are among the top pumpkin-producing states in the country.
Though pumpkins may be the most popular fall food, they are far from the only one. Many other delicious fruits and veggies come into season in the autumn as well. In addition to being tasty, these foods can contribute to a healthy diet during the chilly months. These 29 fall superfoods will boost your immune system.
Click here to see 2021’s best cities for pumpkin lovers
25. Escondido, California
> Overall score: 33.58
> Access score: 25 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 42 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 151,300
> Claim to fame: Rancho Bernardo Farm
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24. Tempe, Arizona
> Overall score: 33.61
> Access score: 4 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 133 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 187,454
> Claim to fame: Moonlit Jack-o-Lantern
23. Irvine, California
> Overall score: 33.61
> Access score: 50 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 16 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 273,157
> Claim to fame: Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch
22. Chicago, Illinois
> Overall score: 33.88
> Access score: 37 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 29 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 2,709,534
> Claim to fame: Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up
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21. Newark, New Jersey
> Overall score: 33.91
> Access score: 187 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 3 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 281,054
> Claim to fame: Newark’s Fall Festival
20. Paterson, New Jersey
> Overall score: 34.12
> Access score: 185 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 5 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 145,710
> Claim to fame: Center City Mall Pumpkin Fest
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19. Long Beach, California
> Overall score: 34.34
> Access score: 43 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 22 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 466,776
> Claim to fame: Pa’s Pumpkin Patch
18. Torrance, California
> Overall score: 34.66
> Access score: 35 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 32 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 145,492
> Claim to fame: Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkin Patch
17. Yonkers, New York
> Overall score: 34.83
> Access score: 158 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 6 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 199,968
> Claim to fame: Harvest & Halloween Drive-Thru
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16. Huntington Beach, California
> Overall score: 35.36
> Access score: 38 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 18 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 200,259
> Claim to fame: Fall Fest
15. Providence, Rhode Island
> Overall score: 36.18
> Access score: 13 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 39 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 179,494
> Claim to fame: Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
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14. Baltimore, Maryland
> Overall score: 36.77
> Access score: 64 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 8 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 609,032
> Claim to fame: Weber’s Cider Mill Farm
13. Oceanside, California
> Overall score: 36.88
> Access score: 24 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 25 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 175,622
> Claim to fame: October Farm Festivities
12. Los Angeles, California
> Overall score: 37.06
> Access score: 51 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 9 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 3,966,936
> Claim to fame: Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch
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11. Orange, California
> Overall score: 37.18
> Access score: 30 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 17 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 139,887
> Claim to fame: Pumpkin City
10. Aurora, Illinois
> Overall score: 37.48
> Access score: 9 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 49 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 199,927
> Claim to fame: Abbey Farms Pumpkin Daze
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9. Orlando, Florida
> Overall score: 37.65
> Access score: 6 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 57 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 280,832
> Claim to fame: SpookNona – Pumpkin Patch
8. Seattle, Washington
> Overall score: 39.79
> Access score: 3 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 103 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 724,305
> Claim to fame: Swans Trail Farms
7. Bridgeport, Connecticut
> Overall score: 39.89
> Access score: 78 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 7 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 145,639
> Claim to fame: Ambler Farm
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6. Pasadena, California
> Overall score: 40.10
> Access score: 10 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 33 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 141,258
> Claim to fame: Kidspace Children’s Museum Pumpkin Festival 2021
5. Jersey City, New Jersey
> Overall score: 41.35
> Access score: 106 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 4 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 261,940
> Claim to fame: Ward’s Pumpkin Patch
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4. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
> Overall score: 41.90
> Access score: 125 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 2 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 1,579,075
> Claim to fame: Fall Fest at Morgan’s Pier
3. New York, New York
> Overall score: 47.16
> Access score: 152 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 1 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 8,419,316
> Claim to fame: Green Meadows Farm Pumpkin Picking
2. Worcester, Massachusetts
> Overall score: 48.81
> Access score: 2 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 38 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 185,143
> Claim to fame: Berlin Orchards
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1. Portland, Oregon
> Overall score: 49.27
> Access score: 1 (out of 197 cities)
> Popularity score: 145 (out of 197 cities)
> Total population: 645,291
> Claim to fame: The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island
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