5 Pumpkin Patches to Visit Before Halloween

Plus, DIY face masks to cook up with your pickings—just in time for #NationalPumpkinDay!

There's nothing quite like celebrating fall with a romp around the pumpkin patch. Pumpkin-picking kicks autumn celebrations into full swing while giving you endless amounts of Instagrammable photo ops (and an excuse to break out your favorite flannels, ankle boots, and vampy lip colors). It's a chance to get out and enjoy the very last few rays of sunshine before winter quickly approaches. Here, some of the best pumpkin patches in the country:

Queens County Farm — Floral Park, NY

New Yorkers can get their fall fix without straying too far from the city. Queens County Farm is accessible right from Penn Station and offers pumpkin-picking, hayrides, a three-acre corn maze, fresh farm vegetables, and much more.

Linvilla Orchards — Media, PA

Just 30 minutes outside of Philadelphia, you'll find Linvilla Orchards, known for its fabulous Pumpkinland and family-friendly Halloween hayrides. Be sure to check out their impressive jack-o-lantern displays.

Bengston's Pumpkin Fest — Homer Glen, IL

Located just 45 minutes southwest of the Windy City is this pumpkin patch with all the extras. In addition to pumpkin-picking, Bengston's annual Pumpkin Fest offers pony, train, and even camel rides (yes!); apple-picking, a selfie booth, and many food options too.

Shawn's Pumpkin Patch — Los Angeles, CA

Located in the heart of sunny L.A., Shawn's offers a change of pace from Hollywood glamour to a more rustic vibe. Before picking your pumpkins, challenge a friend to an arcade game or opt for intricate face-painting.

Froberg's Farm — Alvin, TX

A stone's throw away from Houston is Froberg's Farm, known for its wide selection of pumpkins. If you work up an appetite while carrying your load of pumpkins, stop by the farm's bakery for a sweet treat on the way out.

If celebrity-inspired jack-o-lanterns aren't quite your style, put your carving skills to better use by cutting up your new pumpkins for the sake of your skin care regimen. "Pumpkin is a fantastic ingredient because it's full of enzymes that will deliver a wonderful glow," says Joanna Vargas, celeb facialist and founder of Joanna Vargas Salon and Skin Care collection. "It can be a real resurfacing treatment that smooths away imperfections."

Vargas shares her personal pumpkin-infused face mask recipes for hydrating and brightening dry, dull skin this season.

Pumpkin & Sweet Potato Brightening Face Mask

1/2 oz pumpkin (mashed)
1/2 oz sweet potato (mashed)
2 tsp whole fat yogurt
1 tsp honey
1 pinch of cinnamon (skip if skin is sensitive)

Mix all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Once the concoction is smooth, apply a thick layer to your skin (avoiding the eye area) and let sit for 15 minutes. Once time is up, rinse, pat-dry, and apply a moisture-rich cream like Joanna Vargas Skincare Daily Hydrating Cream ($75).

Soothing Pumpkin Face Mask

2 tsp pureed pumpkin
1/2 tsp organic honey
1 tsp organic yogurt

If you've got sensitive or irritated skin, consider this mild, calming face mask. Follow the same steps as above, finishing with a lightweight serum like Joanna Vargas Skincare Daily Serum ($85). Whichever mask you choose, Vargas recommends making a fresh batch instead of storing leftovers in the fridge.

Give the masks a try and tell us how your skin is feeling in the comments, below!