When people talk about fall pumpkin picking in Alabama, the first one that comes up almost always is Tate Farms in Meridianville. If you live in North Alabama like me, it's hard to miss on your socials every year, at least partly because it has so many irresistible photo ops.

As the largest pumpkin patch in Alabama and also the oldest, Tate Farms has become a part of many families' fall traditions for several generations.

In 1996, Tate Farms began welcoming the public every fall season to peruse and pick pumpkins. The operation began with 15 acres of pumpkins and has grown to more than 80 acres.

Guests have the option of taking a hayride to pick their own pumpkins from the field or selecting them freshly picked in the huge pumpkin market.

In addition to the farm's massive pumpkin-growing lands, there are another 20 acres dedicated to entertainment especially geared toward school-age kids, families, and group outings.

Sharing and creating fun family traditions is central to the mission of Tate Farms. Many generations of the Tate family have worked the land since 1867 when they arrived here from Tennessee and began sharecropping.

The family now owns or leases the more than 8,000 acres that make up the farm, where, besides pumpkins, they grow cotton, corn, soybeans, and wheat.

A member of the family, Morgan Tate Baker, designed the Play Barn structure that has dominated the pumpkin yard since 2017 after the farm suffered a fire. The signature structure is suitable for all ages and features 60-foot slides among other fun features.

There's also a newer barn-themed structure for kids, this one made especially for the smallest guests who are age 7 and younger. The farm team worked with the Little Tikes company for a custom design that includes multiple slides, climbers, tunnels, and sensory toys situated over soft, rubber mulch.

Besides the barns and jump pad, activities include towering retro fun slides, pedal karts, a corn train, corn cribs, and a custom "dairy-go-round" carousel of beautifully carved and painted wooden farm animals.

A variety of drinks are available for purchase at the Thirsty Silo, and you will also find a lemonade stand on the other side of the entertainment area near the pumpkin fields. For snacks, sweets, and other eats, there's a food truck and funnel cake stand.

Prepare for a cuteness overload if you love animals. The farm's barnyard bunch includes miniature cows, goats, babydoll sheep, rabbits, pigs, and more.

Once you've picked a good gourd (or more), you can elevate your memories - and pumpkins - for years to come with reusable stands. I love this whimsical one, a spider pumpkin holder & plant stand that's available in two sizes.

Have you been to Tate Farms to celebrate the fall season? If so, tell us your favorite thing to do or a special memory made there. For dates and hours, fees, and updates, visit the Tate Farms website or Tate Farms Facebook page.

In case you missed it, be sure to check out our list of 2023 picks for the best pumpkin patches in Alabama.