Hayrides Near Boston for Kids of all Ages
Fun, Spooky and Scary Hayride Highlights
Hayrides are a fall tradition for many families. Depending on the age of your child, you might be in search of a farm themed jaunt through fields or a spine-chilling adventure that sparks spooky Halloween excitement.
Many Boston-area farms offer hayrides, as well as other fun activities to entertain your family, like apple picking, corn mazes, and delicious cider doughnuts. Yes please!
Farm Hayrides Near Boston for Kids
Davis Farmland—Sterling
Davis Farmland is a discovery farm designed especially for kids ages 12 and under. Open Thursday to Sunday early September through the 2nd week in October, and then Saturdays and Sundays through the end of the month, the Safari Hayride is totally unique and ends at a pasture with large farm animals. Cross the street to try to navigate the giant corn maze on fall weekends. Rides included with general admission ticket (when purchased online).
Smolak Farms—North Andover
Smolak Farms has three options: themed hayrides, night hayrides for groups, and hop-on hayrides. Character-themed hayrides run from 10 am - 3 pm and include a doughnut, goody bag, and apple picking in September or pumpkin picking in October. Night hayrides are offered Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for groups of 15 or more until late October and include apple cider and doughnuts. Tickets range from $7-22.
Connors Farm—Danvers
Connors features hayrides along with a seemingly endless list of fall activities for the whole family, including a corn maze, baby animals, trains, and an expansive farm-themed play area with a giant jumping pillow, duck races, and more. General admission tickets from $12.99-16.99 (corn maze included) can be purchased online.
Honeypot Hill—Stow
There are weekend hayrides for the family at Honeypot's orchard in Stow. In addition, families can pet farm animals, pick apples, and navigate three hedge mazes, including the Big Green Monster Maze, for an extra fee. Tickets are $2 (kids under 3 ride free).
This is a weather-dependent activity, offered when the weather is nice. No wagons, push carts, or strollers are allowed on the hayride
Kimball Farm—Haverhill
This 9th generation family farm offers hayrides on weekends through their farm fields to their corn maze at the Haverhill location only. Cost is $2-4.
Parlee Farms—Tyngsboro
Make your apple picking adventure even more special when you head to 19-acre Parlee Farms. On weekends and fall holidays, a hayrides to the orchard and back to the farm stand are included with the purchase of an apple picking bag. Kids also love the play area, the mini tractor driving course, and Annie's Animal Barn petting zoo. Hayrides included with $17-35 apple picking bags.
Marini Farm—Ipswich
Marini Farm's Island Adventure 2021 Corn Maze, open on weekends and fall holidays, includes hayrides. The tractor drives around the 8-acre corn maze with special stops along the way, featuring costumed characters with lots of treats to share. Costumes are encouraged. Kids can also enjoy bouncy houses, a pirate ship playground, apple cannon, huge tube slide, and more. General admission tickets are $14.99 (children age 2 and under are free).
Schartner Farms—Bolton
This 4th generation family farm offers hayrides on weekends from 10am - 5pm with corn maze tickets or apple or pumpkin purchases. There's also farm animal viewing and access to the 2.4 mile Bolton Loop Hiking Trail, which runs through the property. The corn maze generally opens the 2nd week of September. Entrance fees run from $8-12 (children age 3 and under are free).
Scary Hayrides & Experiences Near Boston
Witch’s Woods Haunted Hayride and Halloween Screampark—Westford
A terrifying hayride is located at Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Westford. Please note: This hayride is not recommended for children under 6. Babies and toddlers are not allowed at the park or any attraction. At Witch’s Woods, guests are confronted by witches, ghouls, and werewolves, among other scary characters. Open Friday to Sunday nights and select Thursday nights from October 1-31, 2021. 2021 details: Masks must be worn at all times, and there is a 10-person maximum per party. Advanced online reservations are required, and all attractions must be completed within 90 minutes. Tickets are $35 per person.
Hanson’s Haunted Farm and Hayride—Framingham
Hanson's has been scaring the daylights out of families since 1993 and is back as of September 2, 2021. Not for the faint of heart, Hanson’s Haunted Hayride features more than 100 volunteers to shock and scare visitors every Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. in October. Hanson’s Farm also offers pick-your-own pumpkins and a corn maze. Admission is about $10-15 and includes a sugar pumpkin.
Spooky World: Nightmare New England Haunted Hayride—Litchfield, NH
Another hayride that will have you screaming and jumping out of your seat is at this horrifying Halloween theme park. Each year Spooky World pops up for the season offering haunted houses and games along with the hayride. **Please note: This hayride is fairly intense and is best for teens and adults. The one-mile ride takes you through a dark forest with live actors and special effects. As stated on the website "This is no kiddie ride through the pumpkin patch." Admission starts at $42.99+.
More Fall Fun Guides
For more ideas for seasonal festivals in the Boston area, check out our guides to Boston Pumpkin Festivals or Pick your own Pumpkin Patches, places to go Apple Picking Near Boston, or Corn Mazes in Massachusetts and of course the best Jack o Lantern Displays and Festivals in the fall; or our guide to Holiday lights displays in Boston during the winter.
You can find lots more family-friendly Boston events each week on the BostonCentral calendar and our popular things to do this week newsletter.
Stacey Sao has been the Managing Director of the family-friendly events and activities website, BostonCentral for over 20 years. She continues to enjoy discovering and exploring new places to visit in the Greater Boston area.