Western Belle Farm Pumpkin Festival

Western Belle Farm, a family-owned place at 7929 Heritage Parkway in West, about 10 minutes north of Waco and an hour south of Dallas-Fort Worth, opens seasonally for Easter, strawberry, sunflower, and pumpkin festivals. The pumpkin festival packs more than 30 activities around the farm. Thousands of pumpkins, a hayride, a maze, apple cannons, a shaded pumpkin jump pillow, a corn barn, photo displays, farm animals to pet and feed, Beeline mini zip lines, and cattle-drive barrel train rides fill the grounds, with live music from local musicians. The Canteen, Cantina, and Sweets counter list lemonades, iced teas, apple cider slushies, apple cider donuts, kettle corn, street tacos, and Texas-sized soft pretzels. Columbus Day is an extra open day.

Our take: Eat at the Canteen or Sweets counter for the apple cider donuts and street tacos, then ride the cattle-drive barrel train.