ILLINOIS — It's nearly October; which means that many area pumpkin patches and corn mazes have opened for the 2021 season. Many area pumpkin patches offer activities beyond just picking out the best pumpkin in the patch, including hayrides, kids games and rides, petting zoos, food trucks and more.
Below are some of our favorite pumpkin patches in and around the Chicago area.
Here's where you can head out for some fall fun at area pumpkin patches and corn mazes.
Address: 29W310 North Ave. in West Chicago
Season: Sept. 18 to Oct. 31
Attractions: The Sonny Express, self-feed zoo, pony rides, sweet shop, haunted hayride and haunted barn (starting in October)
Pumpkins and more: Large variet of pumpkins and seasonal produce grown on the farm.
Hours of operation (for September): 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed Mondays.
Cost: All day wristbands for $25 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Check the Sonny Acres' website for more information on ticket prices.
More information via the Sonny Acres' website or by calling 630-239-1230
Address: 13236 W. Town Line Road in Waukegan
Season: Sept. 18 to Oct. 31
Attractions: Hayride, corn maze (this year's theme is animals on the farm), petting zoo
Pumpkins and more: Pre-picked pumpkins, gourds, corn, mini pumpkins, straw bales and corn stalk bundles are available for purchase.
Hours of operation: Kroll's is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Cost: Timed ticket entry rquired on Saturday and Sunday as well as Columbus Day weekend. (admission is $10, which includes hayride, corn maze and animal area). On weekdays, the maze is $7 for adults and $5 for kids ages 12 and under (free for kids age 2 and younger).
More information via Kroll's website or by calling 847-662-5733
Address: 16678 W. Aptakisic Road in Lincolnshire
Season: Sept. 18 to Oct. 31
Attractions: Pig races (on weekends and Columbus Day), Animal Land Zoo, pumpkin playland, kids activities, bake shop, concessions. No hayrides this year.
Pumpkins and more: Pumpkins, including white, green, speckles and orange pumpkins, and gourds in all colors and sizes are avilable for purchase.
Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Cost: There is no admission fee. Tickets are available for purchase at $1 per ticket. Most attractions and rides are under 5 tickets.
More via Didier Farms website or by calling 847-634-3291. Goebbert's Farm and Garden Center - South Barrington
Address: 40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington
Season: Sept. 11 to 3 p.m. Oct 31.
Attractions: Animal Land, corn stalk maze, duck derby, pony rides, camel rides, wagon rides, magic show, jumpking pillow, pig races, corn box, gem mining and more.
Pumpkins and more: Pumpkins, fresh vegetables, fall decorations, apple and pumpkin butter, salad dressings, and treats, including apple cider donuts and pumpkin cookies, for purchase.
Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (no tickets sold after 5:30 p.m.)
Cost: You must purchase tickets online for activities. Entrance to the farm is no charge, but tickets are required for activities.
Address: 42W813 Reinking Road, Pingree Grove
Season: Aug. 27 to Oct. 31
Attractions: haunted house, kiddie play land, giant pumpkin slide, tire mountain, pumpkin cannon, straw maze, jumping pillow, corn box, pig races and more.
Pumpkins and more: Pumpkins, apples, apple cider donuts, baked goods, kettle corn available for purchase.
Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Cost: General admission tickets cost $17 per person Monday through Friday; $20 per person Saturdays, Sundays and Columbus Day. $12 for seniors, free for kids age 2 and younger.
Address: 3709 Miller Road, McHenry
Season opening date: Sept. 11 to Oct. 31
Attractions: Apple cannons, barn and play house, climbing web, corn maze, duck races, petting zoo, pumpkin cannon, slide mountain, tractor pull, zipline
Pumpkins and more: U-pick hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stade's market has in-season fruits and vegetables, freshly baked pies and apple cider doughnuts, salsa, spices, gluten-free items, soup mixes, eggs, honey, gift items and much more.
Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in September, and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October.
Cost: General admission is $18 for ages 3 to 64 years old during September and Fridays in October, and $20 for ages 3 to 64 for other open days in October. $10 for ages 65 and over; and children 2 and under are free.
Address: 1N318 Watson Road in Maple Park
Season: Sept. 18 to 4 p.m. Oct. 31
Attractions: tractor train, corn maze, pig races, jumping pillow, corn box, tractor tire mountain, pedal tractor derby, haunted forest, hayride, farm animals and more.
Pumpkins and more: Pumpkins, apple orchard, fall decorations, apple cider, preserves and jams available for purchase
Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday though Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Cost: Pumpkin included with cost of admission. $19.99 weekdays excluding Columbus Day. $22.99 weekends and Columbus Day; $14.99 for seniors ages 65 and up on weekdays, and $16.99 on weekends. Free for kids age 2 and younger (no pumpkin).
More via Kuiper's Family Farm website or by calling 815-827-5200. Richardson Adventure Farm
Address: 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove
Season: Sept. 11 to Nov. 7.
Attractions: 28-acre corn maze (with a theme celebrating 21 years of corn mazes), 50-foot observation tower, wagon ride, train ride, carousel, slide, zip line, petting zoo, pig race, goat feeding area and jumping pillow
Pumpkins and more: Pumpkins, squash and gourds of all varieties and colors are available for purchase
Hours of operation: 3 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Columbus Day, Oct. 11. The maze is also open until midnight on Oct. 22 and Oct. 23. Last admission is two hours prior to closing.
Cost: Prices vary by event. Check the farm's website.
Address: 2855 Hart Road in Aurora
Season: Sept. 18 to Oct. 31
Attractions: corn maze, balance beam course, bouncing cow train, zip lines, tractor tire hill, jumping pillow, pedal track, tractor/hay wagon ride, antique tractors, petting zoo
Pumpkins and produce: Pre-picked pumpkin patch in front of the Emporium; sauces, salsas, seasonings, dressings, dips, preserves, butters and produce are available for purchase.
Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
Cost: General admission tickets cost $22 each on weekends and holidays, and $18 on weekdays. Children 2 and under are free.
Address: 17250 Weber Road, Lockport
Season: Sept. 25 to Oct. 31
Attractions: Famous 10-acre corn maze (this year's theme is Super Mario Brothers), slides, straw mountain, climbing web, corn box, tractor ride, farm animals and more.
Pumpkins and more: Pumpkins, apple cider donuts, funnel cakes and food and drink available for purchase.
Hours of operation: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: $24.95 on site/$9.95 online for ages 3 and above. Weekend all-inclusive pass (Saturday/Sunday and Columbus Day) $31.95, must be purchased online. Free admission for military/veterans, police and fire with ID.
Address: 13341 W. 151st St., Homer Glen
Season: Sept. 17 to Oct. 31
Attractions: Tractor Town, Happy Swing, chicken truck, mega slide, cow coaster, free selfie booth, gemstone and arrow head mining, pony rides, petting zoo, haunted barn, fun barn.
Pumpkins and more: Pumpkins, gourds, apple cider donuts, sweet corn, honey, flavored butters and specialty sauces are available for purchase.
Hours of operation: Open 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Columbus Day.
Cost: Admission ranges from $16.99 to $29.99, depending on the day and time. See the website for more details.Military (active duty or retired) are admitted free with ID. Pony rides an additional $6. Children 1 and under are free.
Address: 710 W. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook
Season: Sept. 15 to Oct. 31
Attractions: Petting zoo, mini golf course, pony rides, hayrides, train rides, slides, corn maze, toddler area.
Pumpkins, produce and more: Pumpkis, fall decor, mums, pies, apple cider donuts, taffy apples, fudge, jam, jellies and butters are available for purchase.
Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Columbus Day. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Halloween.
Cost: Admission price includes all animals, rides and activities. Admission is $12.95 per person on weekdays, $17.95 per person on the weekend and Columbus Day. Free for kids ages 23 months and younger; $9.95 for adults ages 62 and older on weekdays and $15.95 on weekends and Columbus Day. Free for anyone with a military ID, active or veteran.
Address: 4853 U.S. Highway 52, Minooka
Season: Sept. 12 to Oct. 31
Attractions: Hayrides, pumpkin patch, flashlight maze, giant farm slide, farm animals, haunted corn maze, moonlight hayrides and bean maze. Hours vary for different attractions.
Pumpkins and more: U-pick pumpkin patch with 90 different varieties of pumpkins, gourds and squash; 25 different varieties of Belgium mums, corn and straw bales also available for purchase.
Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily
Cost: $6 per person on weekdays; $8 per person on weekends; admission is required to access activities. Children 2 and under are free.
Address: 7420 E. Hansel Road, Channahon
Season: Sept. 13 to Oct. 31
Attractions: Corn maze, play areas, farm animals, bee barn, corn bin, train rides, hay rides, face painting (some activities only available on weekends).
Pumpkins and more: Fudge, donuts, caramel apples, roasted nuts, honey sticks, kettle corn available to buy.
Hours of operation: Farm is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free, but some activities cost; $4.50 per person for the corn maze, $9 for full face painting, and $4.50 per person for train ride.
Address: 16849 S Cedar Road, Homer Glen
Season: Sept. 18 to Oct. 30
Attractions: Corn maze, animal barn, indoor playland, jumping pillows, straw playground, cow train express, hay rides, pony rides, indoor Western town, climbing webs.
Pumpkins and more: Fall decor, pumpkins, corn stalks, gourds, hay bales, corn, mums, specialty candles, treats, candy, toys, jams, taffy apples, popcorn and more available for purchase.
Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Monday, 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Closed Tuesdays.
Cost: $12 per person on Monday through Friday and $15 per person Saturday, Sunday and Columbus Day. Ages 2 and younger get in free. Active military and veterans get in free when they show their military ID.
Source: Andrea Earnest, Patch Staff https://bit.ly/2YDgYfQ