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
Source: Art Wager / iStock via Getty Images
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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Source: JeffreyRasmussen / iStock via Getty Images
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
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
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
Source: RudyBalasko / Getty Images
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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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
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
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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
Source: albertc111 / iStock via Getty Images
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
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
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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Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images
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
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
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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Source: Abhijit Tembhekar / Wikimedia Commons
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
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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
Source: Melpomenem / Getty Images
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
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
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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Source: dszc / Getty Images
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
Source: RomanKhomlyak / Getty Images
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
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
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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Source: MattGush / iStock via Getty Images
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
Source: OlegAlbinsky / E+ via Getty Images
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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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
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
Source: GCShutter / Getty Images
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
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
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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Source: Long_Strange_Trip_01 / Getty Images
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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