15 suburban pumpkin patches to get you pumped for autumn
Pump up your fall spirit with a trip to a local pumpkin patch.
Buy a pumpkin, partake in autumn activities and make a jack-o'-lantern.
Abbey Farms
2855 Hart Road, Aurora: General admission into Pumpkin Daze includes a pedal go-kart track, two corn mazes, zip lines and pumpkins to pick. The fest runs from now through Oct. 30. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and closed Monday and Tuesday. Admission: $10.99 on weekdays, $14.99 on weekends and holidays, free for kids 2 and younger. (630) 966-7775 or abbeyfarms.org.
Blackberry Farm
100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora: Visit Blackberry Farm to pick up a pumpkin while watching re-creations of pioneer life. Every weekend in October is a pumpkin weekend, and the farm is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Columbus Day. Admission: $7, free for kids 2 and younger. (630) 892-1550 or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/facilities/blackberry-farm/.
Didier Farms
16678 W. Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire: Venture past the pumpkins to explore a silly string asylum on the weekends, watch pig races and visit a farm stand at the Pumpkinfest. The fest runs now through Oct. 31, when it closes at 4 p.m. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Admission: free. (847) 634-3291 or didierfarms.com.
Goebbert's Farm & Garden Center
40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington: The fall festival offers a large selection of pumpkins for purchase along with a pumpkin tunnel and treats from the Red Barn Cafe & Bakery. The festival runs now through Oct. 31. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission: free. (847) 428-6727 or goebbertsgardencenter.com.
Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch
42W813 Reinking Road, Pingree Grove: The U-pick patch has a two-story pumpkin slide and a pumpkin express ride around the farm. The fall festival runs through noon Oct. 31. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: $12 on weekdays, $15 on weekends and holidays and free for kids 2 and younger. (847) 464-5952 or goebbertspumpkinpatch.com.
Johansen Farms
710 W. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook: After selecting a pumpkin, visit the children's zoo, which includes pony rides, a nine-hole miniature golf course and an inflatable obstacle course. The fall festival runs now through Oct. 31, when it closes at 3 p.m. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Admission for the pumpkin area: free. (630) 759-8711 or johansenfarms.com/.
Kroll's Fall Harvest Farm
13236 W. Town Line Road, Waukegan: Pick from the farm's specially bred pumpkins or enjoy the hayride and corn maze. The fall fest is open now and closes Nov. 2. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Admission: free. (847) 662-5733 or krollsfarm.com.
Kuipers Family Farm
1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park: Check out the pumpkin patch, a maze or take a turn on the jumping pillow. The pumpkin farm, which is open now, remains open through Oct. 30. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $11.99 to $15.99, with discounts for military personnel and seniors. (815) 827-5200 or kuipersfamilyfarm.com.
Odyssey Fun Farm
18900 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park: Before selecting the perfect pumpkin, get lost in the 15-acre corn maze or ride the cow train. The farm is open now through Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission: $12, free for kids 2 and younger. (708) 429-3800 or odysseyfunfarm.com.
Holes & Knolls Miniature Golf Course
845 Pershing Ave., Glen Ellyn: Grab lunch or dinner at the course, play some golf and pick and carve a pumpkin for Pumpkins on the Green. The event runs 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 20, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 21, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 27 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 28. Pumpkins range from $3 to $12. (630) 469-7888 or gepark.org/event/pumpkins-on-the-green/.
Richardson Adventure Farm
909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove: A free wagon ride transports people to the pumpkin patch. Visitors can also wander through the farm's "world's largest corn maze." The farm closes Nov. 4. Hours are 3 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $14-$19, free for kids 2 and younger. (815) 675-9729 or richardsonadventurefarm.com.
Sonny Acres Farm
29W310 North Ave., West Chicago: The fall festival offers visitors a scare alongside a selection of pumpkins with its Haunted Barn and slightly less frightening Spook Shed. The fest runs now through Oct. 31. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Admission: free. (630) 231-3859 or sonnyacres.com.
Stade's Farm & Market
3709 Miller Road, McHenry: The farm's Shades of Autumn festival includes a U-pick patch, pumpkin cannon and animals. It runs through Oct. 28 and is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in September and Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Columbus Day. Admission: free for children 2 and younger, $15 for ages 3-64 and $10 for 65 and older. (815) 675-6396 or stadesfarmandmarket.com.
Sugar Grove Pumpkin Farm & Produce
4S041 Merrill Road, Sugar Grove: Visitors can select pumpkins from the pumpkin barn and navigate through a corn maze. The barn and kids' activities are open now through Oct. 31. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission: free. (815) 901-6887 or sugargrovepumpkinf.wixsite.com/sg-pumpkin-farm.
Tom's Farm Market
10214 Algonquin Road, Huntley: Visit the farm's play land and jumping pillow or pay extra to build your own scarecrow. The fall fest runs Saturday through Oct. 30. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Columbus Day and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $5-$10, free for kids 2 and younger. (847) 669-3421 or tomsfarmmarket.com.