Aubie Smith Farms

Our take

Aubie Smith Farms is the largest working farm in Hamilton County (800 acres) and won Tennessee Farmer of the Year in 2026, which places it in a different category from festival-style patches. This is a serious agricultural operation that runs fall activities as part of a broader multi-season farm business.

Scale and legitimacy: 800 acres and an industry award signal real farming infrastructure, not just seasonal pop-ups. The farm grows strawberries (spring), maintains sunflower fields (summer), offers pumpkins (fall), and runs a Christmas tree operation (winter). That diversification means the land is continually managed and the operation is genuinely agricultural, not purely entertainment-focused.

Pumpkin variety: 50+ pumpkin varieties is genuinely substantial. You’re not choosing between orange, white, or striped. You’re picking from dozens of heirloom, specialty, and standard varieties. That matters if you have specific looks or cooking purposes in mind. October visits at peak season should offer the full range; September and November may be more limited.

Multi-season destination appeal: The farm’s year-round operation (strawberry picking spring, sunflowers summer, pumpkins fall, Christmas trees winter) makes it worth adding to a “places we return to seasonally” list. Families in the Chattanooga area could legitimately make Aubie Smith a multi-visit annual destination.

Family Fun Zone activities: Jump pad, pedal cars, barrel train, and wagon rides are listed. Those engage toddlers through early grade-schoolers. Specifics (whether rides are included in admission, age minimums, duration) are unconfirmed; call ahead to understand the activity structure and costs.

Hours and capacity: Monday–Friday 1pm–5pm and Saturday–Sunday with extended hours (Sat 10am–7pm, Sun 10am–6pm). Weekday afternoon visits (1–5pm) will be quieter than weekend mornings and afternoons. If you can visit on a weekday and don’t mind afternoon-into-evening timing, that’s your lowest-friction option.

Pricing and admission unconfirmed: 2026 admission rates and the breakdown of included-vs.-paid activities have not been published. That’s normal for early August, but it means you cannot yet calculate budget. The farm’s Facebook page (noted in research sources) may have pricing and daily updates; check there or call.

Farmer of the Year context: The 2026 Tennessee Farmer of the Year award is not a tourist-friendly accolade—it’s recognition from the farming industry for agricultural excellence and stewardship. That’s a credibility signal: this is a real farm operated at a serious level, not a theme park. You’ll likely see actual agricultural operations, equipment, and farm life.

Photography opportunity: 800 acres and 50+ pumpkin varieties mean strong photo opportunities if that’s part of your fall agenda. Sunflower fields and pumpkin patches are visually rich.

Foothills advantage: Ooltewah is north of Chattanooga at the foothills-to-mountains transition. That means genuine fall atmosphere, real temperature drop in October, and scenic setting. Late October means mountain color; early September means warm comfort for outdoor activity.

The combination of real farm operation, multi-season appeal, variety choice, and Tennessee industry recognition creates a credible, substantial destination. This is not a inflatable-slide carnival painted as a farm; it’s a real working agricultural business that opens to families in fall. That authenticity is its strength.