Hello,
I've lived in the area for about 9 months now, but this is my first fall!
Can anyone recommend great pumpkin-patches, or corn mazes, or places like this to get caramal apples and donuts? Something like this for a family? Thank you so much!

Apple picking is the thing to do, and there are lots of places to do it. Usually you'll find hot cider and other fun at apple orchards. Nashoba Valley in Bolton used to have great apple picking (though I admit, its been years since I went).

There's a corn maze out in Sterling at Davis Farmland. I think that would be open right now
http://www.davisfarmland.com/megamaze/

You can find more info on orachards and pumpkin patches here:

http://www.pickyourown.org/massapples.htm

Some of my favorite fall places are;
Drumlin Farm in Lincoln -they have so much to offer; pumpkins, hay rides, crafts for kids, crafts - events during the day and some fun evening family events too

www.massaudobon.org

another old favorite is Lookout Farm in Natick, MA -
you can pick apples, peaches, plums, it is open all year - and also has special activities for kids and familie

www.lookoutfarm.com

also: to find pumpkin patches, hay rides, corn mazes, and all the fall
activities:

www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org

Here's a link to some events at Verrill Farm in Concord http://www.verrillfarm.com/events.html. Also, Wilson Farm in Lexington http://www.wilsonfarm.com/what.html.
Many of these activities take place in the western suburbs off of Route 2 (Lexington, Concord and beyond). Harvard and Stowe are also other towns to look into for apple picking. Check out the events pages in the Boston Globe and the Wednesday food section - they usually have a lot of information as we get into the fall (places to "pick your own" pumpkin, etc.).

If you are on the North Shore, Ingelsby Farm in Boxford has pick your own pumpkins, hay rides, a small play area, great cider donuts. Kimball Farm in Haverhill has corn maze and llamas. Smolak Farm in North Andover has apple picking.

I love the Bolton/Stow/Harvard area multiple orchards with a stop at Kimball's ice cream - haven't done that in years.

I like the north shore Cape ann treck. But my current routine is described here.

Concord/Sudbury area - trip report from my alter ego kealalani while I was unable to use this screen name.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35085135