Pumpkin patches provide ultimate fall destinations

If you’re in search of the perfect pumpkin (or pumpkins — why stop at just one?), you’re in for a treat at these suburban pumpkin patches, which offer way more than just pumpkin picking. Pig racing, haunted houses, straw mazes anyone? Set aside some time, a day even, to fully enjoy all that these family-friendly farms have to offer.

Before heading out, check the websites for up-to-date hours and admission prices.

Abbey Farms

2855 Hart Road, Aurora, (630) 966-7775, abbeyfarms.org

The 40-acre pumpkin farm was founded by the monks of Marmion Abbey and opened to the public in 1949. Attractions include a corn maze, a log balance beam course, zip lines, a rope maze challenge, megadrop slide, pedal track, a corn cannon, hay rides, human hamster wheel races, lasso challenge, a petting zoo, a jumping pillow, a tractor tire tunnel adventure and more.

Details: Pumpkin Daze opens Saturday, Sept. 20. October hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and Sundays, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 26. The farm is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Columbus Day. Ticket information is available online.

Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm

Pingree Grove: 42W813 Reinking Road, (847) 464-5952, goebberts.com; South Barrington: 40 W. Higgins Road, (847) 428-6727; goebbertspumpkinfarm.com/fall-festival

The Goebbert family has been running the fall fest at their South Barrington location since 1973 and at the Pingree Grove locale since 1985.

“We truly pride ourselves on being the ultimate fall destination for all ages to enjoy,” a representative from Goebbert’s said.

Activities for all ages at the South Barrington location include Animal Land, a haunted house, a giraffe barn and slide, racing pigs, a corn stalk maze, a straw town maze, a pumpkin-eating dinosaur, Charlotte’s Web, a jumping pillow (for ages 3 and older), wagon rides, Little Farmer’s Play Yard, corn hole games, fire engine, pumpkin tunnels, a straw pyramid, wall ball, a pumpkin house, duck derby and more.

In Pingree Grove, guests will find apple picking, wagon rides to the pumpkin patch, a pumpkin-eating dinosaur, Animal Land, train rides, a pumpkin slide, corn box, corn maze, carousel, jumping pillow, pedal carts and more. Specialty days include Dog Day Sept. 12 and 26, live bands on Fridays Sept. 19 through Oct. 24, and Oktoberfest Sept. 19-21.

Details: Goebbert’s Fall Festival in South Barrington runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Sept. 6 through Oct. 30, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 31. Tickets are $19 on weekdays and Halloween; $23 in advance online and $26 at the door on weekends and Columbus Day; free for kids 2 and younger. Extra fees for animal rides ($8) and gem mining ($10-$25). Pingree Grove: Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, Aug. 25 through Oct. 30 and 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 31. Admission Aug. 25-31: $16 weekdays, $20 weekends; September: $20 weekdays, $27 weekends; October: $20 weekdays, $30 weekends.

Kuipers Family Farm

1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park, (815) 827-5200, kuipersfamilyfarm.com/pages/fall-pumpkin-funfarm

Opening Friday, Sept. 19, Kuipers’ Pumpkin FunFarm features a variety of fall fun beyond pumpkins. Guests can expect a mountain slide, farm animals, Daisy’s Cow Train, games, a giant corn box, a corn maze, haywagon rides, Jed’s Scream Shed, a straw mountain, a haunted forest, ropin’ roundup and more.

Details: Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and Columbus Day, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays and Mondays, Sept. 19 through Oct. 30. Closes at 4 p.m. Oct. 31. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 1-2. Admission: $20.99 September and November weekdays, $23.99 September and November weekends; $23.99 October weekdays, $26.99 October weekends and holidays; $11.99 for military personnel with military ID and seniors 65 and older.

Richardson Adventure Farm

909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove, (815) 675-9729, richardsonadventurefarm.com

There’s much more to Richardson Adventure Farm than just pumpkin picking (there can be hundreds to choose from) as the farm is known for its extensive corn maze featuring 9-10 miles of trails. Four smaller mazes make up the larger maze, so there are various ways in and out, plus multiple checkpoints throughout. Also, make sure to check out the 50-foot observation tower, wagon and train rides, carousel, zip lines, extreme slide, jumping pillow, air cannons, kids’ play area and more.

Details: Starting Sept. 6, hours in September are 3-11 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays. Hours in October expand to 3-9 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays in addition to the weekend hours. Open through Oct. 26. September admission: $24 for ages 13 and older and $20 for kids 3-12. October weekday admission: $24 for ages 13 and older and $20 for kids 3-12; weekend: $30 for ages 13 and older and $24 for kids 3-12. Free for kids 2 and younger.

Stade’s Farm and Market

3709 Miller Road, McHenry, (815) 675-6396, stadesfarmandmarket.com/fall-festival

Stade’s Farm’s Shades of Autumn festival, which first opened in 1997, runs for nine weekends from Saturday, Aug. 30, through Sunday, Oct. 26.

“Stade’s Farm is unique because you have the opportunity to learn and explore so many parts of the farm,” owner Vern Stade said last year.

Besides pumpkin picking, activities include hayrides, pedal cars, zip lines, a petting zoo, mazes, a pumpkin barrel train, slide mountain, a jumping pillow, a carousel, pumpkin cannon demonstrations, inflatables, food, fresh produce and more.

Details: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays through Sundays in September and October and Labor Day and Columbus Day. Tickets prices to be determined.

Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm

17250 Weber Road, Lockport, (815) 741-2693, ourpumpkinfarm.com

Siegel’s, which has been around since 1909, features more than 49 attractions, 200 farm animals, 13 food and beverage venues and more. Explore the 10-acre corn maze, mountain slide, carnival-style games, you-pick pumpkin field, corn hole, giant checkers, wagon rides, Ghost Town Railroad, Golden Gulch Gem Mine, jumping pillows and more.

Details: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 20 through Nov. 2. Tickets are $19.95 for weekdays and $29.95 for weekends and Columbus Day. All-inclusive weekend tickets are $41.95. Free for kids younger than 2.