Assuming summer temperatures ever relent, a hayride on a crisp autumn afternoon can be a favorite fun family activity. And maybe pick up a pumpkin along the way. So here are 19 Alabama hayrides for your family-fun consideration. We'll even tell you a little bit about each location beyond the hayride.
 

Paradise Pumpkin Patch

Where: 894 County Road 79 South in Eufaula
When: Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Columbus Day (Oct. 8) 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Attractions: A petting zoo from alpacas to zebras, a giant corn box for the kids to wallow in, inflatable park, pig races, a cotton field for picking and more.
How much: $12.50 for all attractions except an additional $5 for hand-led pony rides. Seniors are $10 and children under 2 are free. No personal checks accepted.
Website: paradisepumpkinpatch.com
 

Gullion Farms

Where: 701 Peck Hollow Road in Somerville.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Saturday in October.
Attractions: Petting zoo, corn jump, hay maze, fishing, hay slide, milking a cow and more.
How much: $10 per person and children under school age are free. No credit or debit cards are accepted.
Website: gullionfarms.com
 

McGee Farm

Where: 8221 County Road 7 in Florence.
When: Weekdays 3-6 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays 1-5 p.m.
Attractions: 25 varieties of pumpkins from some as small as your hand to as big as 200 pounds, barnyard bounce, jumping pillow, baby goats, fall decorations for purchase and more.
How much: The farm has no admission charge but the tractor-drawn wagon ride to the pumpkin patch is $3 per person. Pumpkins are $2 each and giant pumpkins are sold at 45 cents per pound.
Website: mcgeefarm.com
 

Huntsville Botanical Garden

Where: 4747 Bob Wallace Avenue in Huntsville
When: Saturdays from 12-4 p.m. and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. through October.
Attractions: Children's Garden will be decorated by school children with "magical and mythical scarecrows," the butterfly house is converted into a "BOO-terfly House" the last weekend of October, Scarecrow Trail and more.
How much: Children ages 3-18 are $9, adults are $14, seniors and military are $12.
Website: hsvbg.org/seasonal-festivals/#Galaxy
 

Hoover Hayride

Where: Veterans Park on Valleydale Road in Hoover, parking at Spain Park High School with complimentary shuttles to park.
When: Oct. 25 from 5-8 p.m.
Attractions: A free one-day event by the city of Hoover that includes candy and giveaways, food vendors, face painting, balloon artists and more.
How much: No admission charge.
Website: hooveral.org
 

4D Family Farm

Where: 7066 County Road 703 in Cullman.
When: Thursday through Sunday each weekend in October and Saturday, Nov. 3. Check calendar for times. 
Attractions: An all-new low ropes obstacle course, cow train, pig races, corn maze, corn hole and more.
How much: Thursdays are $9.95 and weekend passes are $13.95 with $5 upgrade.
Website: 4dfamilyfarm.com
 

Down on the Farm Pumpkin Patch

Where: 2257 Heaton Road in Rainsville.
When: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Nov. 3.
Attractions: 6-acre corn maze, petting zoo, rope maze, barnyard bone dig, corn picker play area, gift shop and more.
How much: Pumpkin patch/playground is $9 with additional charge for some other attractions.
Website: downonthefarminal.com
 

Tate Farms

Where: 8414a Moores Mill Road in Meridianville
When: Monday through Wednesday from 2-6 p.m. through Oct. 31; Saturdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Attractions: Jumping pillows, hay bale maze, cotton jump, petting zoo, country store and more.
How much: $12 with additional charge for pumpkins and other attractions. A $2 coupon is available on the farm's website for Monday through Wednesday visits.
Website: tatefarmsal.com
 

Sand Mountain Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch

Where: 8420 Cox Gap Road in Sardis City.
When: Tuesday through Thursday 4-9 p.m.; Friday 4-10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Attractions: Cow train rides, corn maze, corn blasters, play barn, duck races, general store, zombie splatter and more.
How much: $10 with additional charges for other attractions.
Website: sandmountaincornmaze.com

Magnolia Corn Maze

Where: 15275 County Road 49 South in Summerdale.
When: Saturdays from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 3.
Attractions: Corn mazes, petting zoo, pig races, pony rides, paintball shooting gallery, zip line, playground and more.
How much: $10 with additional charges for some attractions, including pumpkins. Scouts and military receive $2 discount. Cash or personal check only.
Website: magnoliacornmaze.com

Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

Where: 1919 9th Street in Calera.
When: Pumpkin Patch Express train rides departing at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays in October and 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sundays.
Attractions: Bounce house, corn maze, train ride to pumpkin patch, gift shop and more. 
How much: Ages 2 to 11 are $12, ages 12 and up are $17. Ticket upgrades are available. The museum asks that you arrive an hour ahead of departure time to pick up tickets.
Website: hodrrm.org.

Isbell's Pumpkin Farm

Where: 2998 Aycock Cemetery Road in Leighton.
When: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays 1-5 p.m.
Attractions: Gem mine, corn maze, petting zoo, slides, pony rides and more.
How much: $9 per person (excluding pumpkin) and additional charges for some attractions.
Website: isbellspumpkinfarm.wixsite.com/isbellspumpkinfarm2

Belue Place Pumpkin Patch

Where: 700 County Road 513 in Lexington.
When: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1-5 p.m. through October. 
Attractions: Corn maze, hay loft jump, petting zoo, horse tire swings, corn crib play area and more.
How much: $10.
Website: thebelueplace.com.

Dream Field Farms

Where: 6376 U.S. Highway 82 in Fitzpatrick.
When: Monday through Wednesday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 1-6 p.m.; Columbus Day (Oct. 8) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Attractions: Corn maze, cow train, fishing, Famous Tom's racing pigs, inflatable village, petting zoo and more.
How much: $12 (does not include pumpkins, which are sold by size).
Website: dreamfieldfarms.com.

Faye Whittemore Farms

Where: 1335 Forrester Road in Jasper.
When: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 1-5 p.m. through October.
Attractions: Pirate ship playground, petting zoo, hay maze, moonwalk, inflatable slide, face painting, concession stand and more.
How much: $12 (pumpkins are an additional 30 cents per pound).
Website: fayewhittemorefarms.com.

Jack O Lantern Lane

Where: 18151 Veterans Memorial Parkway in Lafayette.
When: Saturdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays noon to 6 p.m. through October.
Attractions: Picnic area, cornmeal grinding and fresh corn meal, homemade ice cream, country store, inflatables, petting zoo, concession stand and other attractions for additional charge.
How much: $9 (check or cash only).
Website: jackolanternlane.com.

Great Pumpkin Patch

Where: 288 Highway 45 in Hayden.
When: Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 1-6 p.m.
Attractions: Inflatables, petting zoo, pony rides, extreme bungee, hay pyramid, country store and more.
How much: $7 weekdays, $9 weekends or $3 any time without a pumpkin. Additional charges for some attractions.
Website: greatpumpkinpatch.com.

Tuscaloosa Barnyard

Where: 11453 Turner Bridge Road in Tuscaloosa.
When: Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through October.
Attractions: Animal feed, milk bottle, bread for fish and ducks, pony rides, animal holding, corn crib, boat ride, fishing and more.
How much: $15 per person.
Website: tuscaloosabarnyard.com

Boo at the Zoo

Where: Birmingham Zoo, 2630 Cahaba Road.
When: Oct. 11-14 and Oct. 18-31 from 5-9 p.m.
Attractions: Train ride, slide, carousel, animal encounters.
How much: $18 for rides or $10 for admission.
Website: birminghamzoo.com.
 

Source: "Check out these 19 Alabama hayrides for a festive fall season" AL.com (October 3, 2018) Paul Gattis