Pumpkin patches, pony rides and more celebrate all the charms of autumn
All the wonderful sensory experiences of the season await visitors at the numerous fall festivals being held at farms and other family-friendly spots across the area. (photos provided)
The arrival of autumn means the opening of area farms and facilities to families for fall festivities. From apple and pumpkin picking to corn mazes and hayrides, these harvest time activity sites promise fun for all ages.
Here are a selection of spots within a reasonable drive from Hinsdale, most of which are open through Halloween, Oct. 31. Weekday and weekend pricing usually varies, but wee ones can get in free. So go sink your teeth into an apple cider doughnut and savor the season.
• Abbey Farms, 2855 Hart Road, Aurora, is holding its Pumpkin Daze festival. The farm boasts the largest corn maze in Kane County and a 40-acre pick-your-own pumpkin patch through Sunday, Oct. 31. Other attractions include corn cannons and human hamster balls, the tractor tire mountain, hayrides, megadrop slide, a weekend petting zoo and a craft beer tent on Saturday and Sunday.
Abbey Farms is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and Monday, Oct. 11. Online tickets are $18 on weekends and holidays, $14 on weekdays; at-the-gate admission is $22/$18. Ages 2 and younger are free.
Visit https://www.abbeyfarms.org or call (630) 966-7775.
• Bengtson's Pumpkin Fest, 13341 W. 151st St., Homer Glen, continues through Sunday, Oct. 31.
Visitors can also enjoy features like Tractor Town, Happy Swing, chicken truck, mega slide, cow coaster, free selfie booth, gemstone and arrowhead mining, a petting zoo, pony rides and the haunted barn. Pony rides have a separate $6 fee.
Bengtson's is open from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. weekends. Admission ranges from $18.99 to $29.99 depending on the day. Ages 1 and younger are free. Active-duty and retired military are admitted free with ID.
Visit https://www.pumpkinfarm.com or call (708) 301-3276.
• Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard, 42W813 Reinking Road, Pingree Grove, is holding its Fall Festival through Sunday, Oct. 31.
In addition to pumpkin picking, families can enjoy the haunted house, kiddie play land, straw maze, singing chickens, a pumpkin-eating dinosaur, pedal carts, animal land with a giraffe barn and pig family and pumpkin cannon. Pony and camel rides and shooting gallery attractions have a small fee.
Goebbert's is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $17 weekdays and $20 weekends, $12 for seniors, and free for ages 2 and younger.
Visit https://www.goebbertspumpkinpatch.com or call (847) 464-5952.
• Johansen's Farm, 710 W. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook, is hosting its Fall Festival through Sunday, Oct. 31.
More than 500 animals - from steers and miniature ponies to little lambs and baby chicks - will delight families at the Children's Zoo. Attractions include a giant inflatable obstacle course, miniature golf, pony rides, hayrides, train rides, airslides, corn maze, pumpkin bouncer and, of course, a pumpkin patch.
Johansen's Farm is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays & holidays beginning Oct. 3. A special customer appreciation night will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2. Admission is $13 on weekdays, $18 on weekends and Columbus Day; seniors pay $10/$16. Ages 23 months and younger and anyone with a military ID are free.
Visit https://www.johansenfarms.com or call (630) 759-8711.
• Konow's Corn Maze, 16849 S. Cedar Road, Homer Glen, invites visitors to its Fall Fest through Saturday, Oct. 30.
Two corn mazes - one with 3.4 miles of twists and turns and a .4-mile kids' maze - provide fun for all ages. Konow's also has an animal barn, fun rides and indoor activities, including a massive corn pit, a western town, putting green, weekend face painting, evening campfires and a shooting gallery.
Konow's Corn Maze is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, Fridays & Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays and 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays & Thursdays; closed on Tuesdays. Admission is $12 on weekdays, $15 on weekends. Ages 2 and younger and those with a military/veteran ID are free.
Visit https://www.konowscornmaze.com or call (708) 301-8845.
• Siegel's Cottonwood Farm, 17250 Weber Road, Lockport, is holding is Pumpkin Fest from Saturday, Sept. 25, to Sunday, Oct. 31.
The farm features an authentic pumpkin patch, accessible by hayrack ride, for families to pick selections right off the vine. The Pumpkin Fest features a barnyard playland, duck waddle races, Ghost Town Railroad, farm animals, the famous 12-acre Spookley corn maze and more.
Siegel's Pumpkin Fest is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Online tickets are $19.95 daily or $31.95 for an all-inclusive pass; onsite tickets are $24.95. Ages 2 and younger and those with military/veteran, police or firefighter ID are free. Grandparents also are admitted free weekdays with a paid grandchild entry.
Visit https://www.ourpumpkinfarm.com or call (800) 304-3276.
- compiled by Ken Knutson
