October 10, 2024
Nothing embodies the seasonal shift from summer to fall better than pumpkins. The bright orange gourds pop up everywhere from front-porch décor to drink flavors. Lean into the autumnal vibe with these Cabarrus County pumpkin-themed activities.
Feast on Pumpkin Treats
The decadent pumpkin cheesecake at Eat Cakes Bakery in downtown Kannapolis is a dream — creamy, dusted with cinnamon, studded with walnuts — as is the cinnamon roll drizzled in caramel sauce. (Sure, the latter isn’t pumpkin per se, but it’s still a classic fall flavor.) Eat Cakes is stocked with even more pumpkin treats, from cake pops to pumpkin bread.
You’ll find an equally delicious take on all things pumpkin at Café Lentz. The Mount Pleasant bistro has a mean pumpkin roll on the menu— the moist and lightly spiced cake is rolled with a thick layer of tightly packed cream cheese frosting. Pair it with a foamy chai latte.
If you want to keep it simple, opt for an espresso and a freshly baked pumpkin scone or muffin from French Express in Kannapolis.
Then walk off your pumpkin indulgences with a fall-colors hike on the Pharr Family Preserve Trail in Midland. Follow the trail through 66 acres of hardwood forest, where nearly 50 species of trees glow in autumnal hues of gold, orange, ruby and magenta. The Rocky River Blueway begins here and downriver, the Riverbend Farm Trail also includes a launch for river access.
Get Picky at a Pumpkin Patch
Whether you’re in the market for a pile of pumpkins to decorate your front porch or to carve some jack-o’lanterns, there’s no better place to pick them out than a local pumpkin patch.
Make your first stop Riverbend Farm in Midland. For more than 30 years, the farm has welcomed guests every October to browse its giant field of pumpkins in all sizes and shapes.
Nearby, you’ll find Midland Farms, another family-friendly farm where pumpkins are front and center. After you wander the patch to select your pumpkin, gather your loved ones for family photos among the farm’s fall-themed scenery. Round out the visit by shopping the farm store where you can purchase a bar of their Pumpkin Spice goat’s milk soap, and by taking a tractor hayride and meeting the farm animals.
Drink in the Pumpkin Flavors
Verb Coffee in Concord lets you savor the flavors of the season with belly-warming beverages like the Great Pumpkin and the Maple Butter Latte. The coffee shop roasts its own beans, too, from single origin and blended coffees from Ethiopia and Colombia.
Regulars at The Percantile and Creamery, another Concord coffee spot, wait all year for The Perc PSL, a cozy twist on the pumpkin spice latte. White chocolate, nutmeg and cinnamon join the traditional pumpkin flavor in this yummy drink.
When it comes to seasonal sips, it’s not always about the java. Take the smoothie sour beer Pumpkin Pie Thrift Shop at Percent Tap House in Harrisburg, the Vanilla Pumpkin Ale at Mount Pleasant’s Old Well Brewery, or the variety of pumpkin brews from across the area at spots like Local Bottle Shop, Lil’ Robert’s Place and Vortex Bottle Shop.
Shop for a Pumpkin-Themed Souvenir
At home décor and furniture store Down South on Main in Mount Pleasant, you’ll find festive fall wares such as pumpkin-shaped ceramic gravy boats, throw pillows stitched with outlines of pumpkins, tea towels and blankets in shades of pumpkin, and coffee mugs decorated with dainty pumpkin designs.
Top off your pumpkin purchases with a puzzle sporting the season’s favorite gourd. You’ll likely find one, as well as dozens of other colorful puzzles, in Kannapolis at James’ Sweet Spot.
Make It a Weekend
Fall Festivals featuring plenty of pumpkin-themed fun are taking place at a variety of attractions across Cabarrus County including Almond Farm, Deer Run Farm, Rocky River Vineyards and more. Click here for a full list of Fall Festivals & Halloween Events.
There’s too much fall fun to fit in a day, so pick one of our comfortable Places to Stay and take your time exploring Cabarrus County.
