Pumpkin season is almost here, folks!
Is there anything more representative of the fall season (outside leaves) than the pumpkin? Whether it’s sipping on a pumpkin spice late, digging into pumpkin pie, or re-reading instructions on how to properly carve a jack-o-lantern, the pumpkin is (literally, in the latter case) the face of autumn. Get your hands on one of your own at one of these bountiful pumpkin patches around the Windy City! [Featured image via Shutterstock]
1. County Line Orchard (Aug. 28 – Oct. 31)
Doubling as one of the best places to pick apples near Chicago, County Line Orchard in Hobalt, Indiana — roughly 41 miles outside downtown, Chicago — is a pretty sweet place to pick pumpkins. Either stroll through their patch, wander through their pumpkin house (pictured above), or go straight to their Big Barn where they’ve pre-selected a variety of pretty pumpkins to save you the hassle of making a decision. Also check out their stellar orchard, bee yurts, corn maze, kids farm and more!
2. Didier Farms (Sept. 19 – Oct. 31)
Located in Linconshire, Illinois, Didier Farms is known for their annual Pumpkinfest that runs through the last week of September throughout October. While the farm is implementing a variety of safety precautions, such as mandatory wearing of face masks and limiting number of guests in buildings and on the farm, the farm is still packing their Pumpkinfest with plenty of family-friendly activities that include pony rides, hayrides, camel rides, pig races, and something called a Silly String Asylum that definitely warrants checking out.
3. Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch (Sept. 19 – Oct. 31)
Before anything can be said about Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch, it should be known that it has a PUMPKIN-EATING DINOSAUR. If that alone doesn’t sell you on the farm, Goebbert’s holds an annual Fall Festival with loads of seasonal attractions that include a life-sized Charlotte’s Web, corn stalk maze, play yard, and a haunted house. And, goes without said, some gourd-geous pumpkins for the picking.
4. Patch 22 (Oct. 1 – Oct. 31)
In addition to having the most clever name on the list, Patch 22 has thousands of exotic pumpkins for the choosing. Complement your pumpkin-picking experience with a taffy apple, pony or hayride. Throughout the month of October, Patch 22 will be open to the public Saturday and Sundays from 10 am – 5 pm with free admission.
5. Bengston’s Pumpkin Farm (Sept. 18 – Oct. 31)
Bengston’s Pumpkin Farm doesn’t play around when it comes to pumpkins — their website URL is literally pumpkinfarm.com — so you know they’re the real deal. Their name is backed by TENS of thousands of pumpkins that come in every wacky shape, color, and size you can imagine. If it so happens that you find a pumpkin muse that fills you with undeniable jack-o-lantern inspiration, Bengston’s has carving supplies on deck for you to carve out your halloween masterpiece right then and there.
6. Sonny Acres Farms (Sept. 19 – Oct. 31)
Sonny Acres Farm in West Chicago, Illinois is in it for the long run. Established in 1883, Sonny Acres is still going strong yielding a vast variety of fruit and produce by the season. Every year, the farm holds a fall festival that, in addition to their pumpkin patch, features their Farm Fresh Market, carnival rides —they’re labeled as an amusement park on Facebook, check it out — Halloween Costume & Gift Shop, and a Spook Shed to boot.
7. Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm (Sept. 26 – Oct. 31)
For over 100 years, Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm has housed generation after generation of the Siegel Family. To this day, the farm regularly yields corn, hay, pumpkins, soybeans, Christmas trees and more. Every year, Siegel’s holds an annual Pumpkin Fest in celebration of the season with 30 attractions spread over 40 acres of farmland. What kind of attractions, you ask? Pumpkin patch (obviously), 5 Sports Ball Zone, haunted barn, Sniper Zombie Paintball Ride, Climbing Wall, Gem Mining, and more! Of course their festival comes with all the fixings food-wise, the smoked turkey legs, pulled pork parfaits, apple cider doughnuts, funnel cakes and more on the menu!
8. Stade’s Farm & Market (Sept. 12 – Nov. 1)
While Stade’s had to shut down their theme park for the year due to the pandemic, there’s still plenty of reason to visit the farm and market. Enjoy nature’s bounty with the cornucopia of pumpkins they offer on the premises. Or, take a seat and watch their pumpkin cannon fire off gourds deep into the field for the scarecrows. Furthermore, the farm has added a number of new attractions this year that include but are not limited to a hamster run, tug of war, menagerie carousel, barn and play house, and more!
9. Kuiper’s Family Farm (Sept. 19 – Oct. 31)
Maple Park, Illinois just sounds like an autumn town. Prime evidence is the fact that the northern-Illinois village is home to Kuiper’s Family Farm and pumpkin patch. Apple picking at Kuiper’s is available on weekends throughout the end of October. During their fall season, you can set lose on their 71-acre pumpkin patch, or choose one of their hand selected pumpkins (one comes free with price of admission) and save yourself the time. In addition to pumpkins, Kuiper’s features a ton of other fun activities to entertain the whole family: from a life-sized Charlotte’s web, pig races, mountain slide, carnival games, chalk house, and more, you’ll be in for a treat no matter what!
10. Puckerville Farms (Sept. 12 – Oct. 31)
Puckerville Farm is a 180-acre farm that is open seven days of the week with no price of admission. From September 12 to October 31, the farm is holding its annual Pumpkin Fest. In addition to their exceptional pumpkin patch, the festivities include face painting, hayrides, and more. Puckerville is also known well for their oh-so-sweet honey and winter tree farm.