The leaves are red, the pumpkins are orange and the corn is tall. We have arrived at arguably the best time of the year.
One rite of passage in the fall, and something that is probably on everyone’s fall bucket list, is a visit to a pumpkin farm. Fortunately, there are plenty in the area to visit.
Check the farm’s website for rules and regulations, plus policies on weather-related
closings.
Abbey Farms, 2855 Hart Road, Aurora. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday- Sunday and Columbus Day Sept. 21-Oct. 27; open until 10 p.m. Saturdays in October. Not open Wednesday-Friday in September. Tickets: $16-$20 online, $18- $22 at the door. 630-966-7775; www.Abbeyfarms.org.
There are pre-picked and pick-your-own pumpkins. Attractions include a corn maze, giant slide, hay wagon ride, zip lines and petting zoo. Live music plus a craft beer and wine tent on the weekends.
All Seasons Apple Orchard, 14510 Illinois Route 176, Woodstock. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends and Columbus Day to Nov. 2. Tickets: $9 weekdays, $17 weekends for barnyard tickets; $19 weekday and $27 weekend for barnyard and apple orchard tickets. 815-338-5637; www.Allseasonsorchard.com.
Visitors can pick pumpkins and apples, wind through a corn maze, play on the amusement rides and watch a pig race.
Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm, 13341 W. 151st St., Homer Glen. Hours are 11 a.m.- 8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. weekends and Columbus Day Sept. 6-Nov. 3. Closed Sept. 9-12. Tickets: $22.99-$36.99. Veterans or military personnel with ID is free. Kids age 1 and under free. 708-301-3276; www.Pumpkinfarm.com.
This farm offers pumpkins in a patch, kiddie rides, tractor-pulled hayrack rides, a
haunted barn, corn box, six-lane slide and pig races.
Didier Farms Happy Times Pumpkinfest, 16678 W. Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire.
Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily Sept. 12-Oct. 27. Closed Tuesdays. Tickets: $1; all attractions and rides cost multiple tickets. 847-634-3291; www.happytimespumpkinfest.com.
The farm sells a large variety of pumpkins and gourds. Attractions include horse and camel rides, a corn maze, wagon rides, petting zoo and a silly string area. Some activities are held on weekends and Columbus Day only.
Dollinger Family Farm, 7502 E. Hansel Road, Channahon. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily Sept. 16-Oct. 30. Tickets: free; corn maze, face painting and train rides cost extra. 815-467-6766; www.dollingerfarms.com.
In addition to the pumpkins, the farm offers a 4-acre corn maze, playground area, train rides, hay hides and face painting on the weekends. Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles will be at the farm Sept. 22 and Big Run Wolf Ranch will be there Sept. 29. Princesses and Spiderman will make an appearance Oct. 6.
Goebbert’s Farm and Garden Center, 40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily Sept. 7-Oct. 30. Closes at 3 p.m. Oct. 31. Tickets: $18 weekdays and $23 weekends and Columbus Day for age 3 and up; $25 at the door. 847-428-6727;
www.goebbertspumpkinfarm.com/fall-festival.
Attractions include pony and camel rides, pig races, wagon rides, jumping pillow and haunted house.
Heap’s Giant Pumpkin Farm, 4853 U.S. 52, Minooka. Hours are 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. daily Sept. 21-Oct. 31; closing at 2:30 p.m. on Halloween. Tickets: $8 weekdays, $12 weekends and Columbus Day. 815-651-7288; www.Heapsgiantpumpkinfarm.com.
Visit the 25-acre pumpkin patch where 90 varieties of pumpkins, gourds and squash are ripe for the picking. Other attractions include a corn maze, bean maze, giant slide and playground. Hayrides to the pumpkin patch run on weekends, Fridays in October and Columbus Day.
Johansen Farms Children’s Zoo and Fall Festival, 710 W. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily Sept. 15-30 and weekdays in October, and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends in October. Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Columbus Day and 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Oct. 31. Tickets: $15.95 weekdays, $19.95 weekends in September. $22.95 weekends in October and Columbus Day; $13.95/$17.95 for seniors age 62 and over. Kids 23 months and younger free. 630-759-8711; www.Johansenfarms.com.
There is no charge to visit the bakery, fall market and pumpkin patch. The children’s zoo boasts all the attractions, including a petting zoo, pony rides, giant inflatable slides, corn maze, hayrides and toddler area. Trick-or-treat at the zoo Oct. 31.
Keller’s Farmstand, 2500 Johnson Road, Oswego. Fall fest hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends only and Columbus Day Sept. 7-Oct. 27. Tickets: $12 online, $14 at the gate; kids age 4 and under free. 630-219-8194; www.Kellersfarmstand.com/fall/saturday-sunday-fall-festivities.
There is an 8-acre corn maze, children’s activities (including adult and kid pedal vehicles) and a play area. You-pick apples and pumpkins are available (costs extra.) Daily pumpkin picking is available early fall through Halloween. Pre-picked pumpkins are also sold.
Konow’s Corn Maze, 16849 S. Cedar Road, Homer Glen. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily; 3 p.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday Sept. 14-Oct. 30. Tickets: $15 weekdays, $18 weekends and Columbus Day; kids age 2 and younger free. Active military personnel and veterans free with military ID. 708-301-8845; www.konowscornmaze.com.
This farm offers a large and small corn maze, hayrides, playground, farm animals and bands on the weekends.
Kroll’s Fall Harvest Farm, 13236 W. Town Line Road, Waukegan. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday, noon-8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday- Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday and Columbus Day Sept. 21-Oct. 31. Closed Tuesdays. Ticketed time slots of three hours on the weekends. Tickets: $6-$8 weekdays; $12-$14 weekends and Columbus Day. 847-662-5733; www.Krollsfarm.com.
Pumpkins are pre-picked and are priced between $2-$15. This year’s corn maze is a tribute to pollinators and includes a virtual maze game on an app. There’s also a petting zoo, concessions and gift shop.
Kuipers Family Farm, 1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park. Fall fest hours are 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday and Monday Sept. 21- 30; and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday-Monday Oct.1-Nov. 3 and Columbus Day. Tickets: September and November, $18.99 online weekends and $15.99 online weekdays; add $2 at the gate. October, $21.99 online weekends in October and Columbus Day and $18.99 weekdays, add $2 at the gate; $11.99 seniors 65 and older and military with ID at the gate only. Children 2 and
under free. Jumping pillow $2. Combo tickets to the apple orchard are available. 815-827-5200; www.Kuipersfamilyfarm.com.
Attractions include a corn maze, pig races, jumping pillow and kiddie games and rides. Pumpkins are sold as well.
Odyssey Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maize, 18900 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily Sept. 21-Oct. 31. Closed Sept. 23-25 and 30, Oct. 1-2. Tickets: $22 weekdays/$24 weekends and Columbus Day. 708-429-3800; www.Odysseyfunfarm.com.
Rent a wagon for $10 cash to take out to the pumpkin patch. Visit the corn maze, take a hayride and shoot down the super mega slide.
Richardson Adventure Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove. Hours are 3 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 12-9 p.m. Sunday and Columbus Day Sept. 7-Oct. 27. Tickets: $20-$24 Thursdays and Fridays plus weekends in September and $24-$30 weekends in October. Kids age 2 and under are free. Some activities cost extra. 815-675-9729; www.Richardsonadventurefarm.com.
This corn maze has four mazes in one, offering nearly 10 miles of trails plus games and challenges throughout. Additionally, there is a petting zoo, zorbing, zip line, extreme air bungee bounce, giant slide, wagon rides and more.
Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm,17250 S. Weber Road, Crest Hill. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily Sept. 21-Oct. 27. Tickets: $19.95 weekdays, $24.95 weekends and Columbus Days. Weekend and Columbus Day all-inclusive and combo passes $27.95-$36.95. 800-304-3276; www.Ourpumpkinfarm.com.
As this is a fourth generation working farm, it offers a pick-your-own pumpkin patch in addition to the dozens and dozens of activities. This season’s corn maze honors country artist Luke Bryan and his15th annual Farm Tour. The 10-acre maze is open on weekends and Columbus Day.
Sonny Acres Farm, 29W310 North Ave., West Chicago. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and Columbus Day; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday Sept. 14-Oct. 30. Tickets: free admission; attractions extra. 630-231-3859; www.sonnyacres.com/fall-festival.
Activities include pumpkins, jumping pillow, petting zoo and amusement rides.
Windy Acres Farmstand Fall Fest, 37W446 Fabyan Parkway, Geneva. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 14- Oct. 31. Tickets: $18 weekdays, $22 weekends and Columbus Day. $2 less for seniors 65 and older. Kids age 2 and under free. Veterans and active military personnel are free with ID. 630-232-6429; www.Windyacresfarmstand.com/fall-fest.
In addition to pumpkins, this farm has also has an apple orchard for you-pick apples. Activities include zip-lines, mini golf, moon bounces, petting zoo, corn stalk maze, sports zone, silo lounge, agriculture barn, corn bin, hamster wheels, giant playground, super slides and mega Jenga. Live music, beer garden and grilled food on the weekends.
Woody’s Orchard, 3223 Creek Road, Plano. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday and Columbus Day to Oct. 27; open to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in October. Tickets: $16.95; kids age 2 and under free. 630-247-9300; www.Woodysorchard.com.
Visitors may pick their own apples or pumpkins, and check out the Play Yard full of attractions
like a jumping pad, train rides, zip line and playground.
Northwest Indiana
County Line Orchard, 200 S. County Line Road, Hobart. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily to Oct. 31. Tickets: $3; pay for what you pick. Passes for corn maze and activities are $7-$15. 219-947-4477; www.Countylineorchard.com.
Although this farm is known for its apple orchard, the pumpkin patch opens Oct. 1 for you-pick pumpkins. The giant corn maze boats a different theme each year. Don’t leave without checking out the bee yurt.
Hidden Creek Pumpkin Farm, 7211 W. 87th Ave., Crown Point. Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. starting Sept. 24. Closed Monday and Thursday. Tickets: free admission. 219-225-1922; www.facebook.com/hcpumpkinfarm.
Pumpkins range from $6 for medium-size to $15 for extra large. They will have a Kids Glow Nite Corn Maze for kids age 12 and under from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 18-19 and 25-26; $7 per person.
Scheeringa Farms, 9436 Cline Ave., Highland. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays beginning Sept. 21. Closed Sundays. 219-838-6369; www.scheeringafarm.com. Tickets: $3-$10.
There’s a petting zoo, bounce house, corn bin and pre-picked pumpkins for sale. Hayrides and moo-choo train on the weekends.
Harvest Tyme Family Farm Fall Festival, 17904 Grant St., Lowell. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends Sept. 28-Oct. 27. Tickets: $19.95 online or $24.95 at the gate. Nighttime Pumpkin Glow and Trail of Lights, $11.95 (online.) Gem mining and corn cannons cost extra. 219-440-2386; www.Harvesttymefun.com /fall-festival.
The theme of this year’s corn maze honors country music singer Luke Bryan and his 15th annual Farm Tour. In addition to the pick-your-own pumpkin patch, look for many amusement rides and attractions. There is also a Pumpkin Glow Trail on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.
