Take advantage of the beautiful fall weather with a trip to one of these area apple orchards and pumpkin patches. There are plenty of farms just a short drive from the city with fun activities and delicious fall foods, or you can stay close to home and visit one of the many pumpkin patches within the city limits.
Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm: This massive 40-acre farm in Crest Hill holds much more than just a U-pick pumpkin patch. Check out the multi-acre cornfield maze, go mining for gems or pet the pot belly pigs, ponies and mules in the petting zoo. Older kids will love the haunted barn while little ones can take a ride on a kiddie train.17250 S. Weber Rd., Crest Hill; 800-304-3276$12 on weekdays, $14 on weekends (coupons available on the farm’s website)
Butterprint Farm Pumpkin Patch: Head to Monee to check out this rustic farm. Lean to shell corn, take a hayride on a vintage tractor, walk through picturesque nature trails or visit the Butterprint Prairie Museum located in a 1910 farm house. Puppet shows and rubber duck races take place every weekend.24936 S. 80th St., Monee; 708-534-8801$9 for adults, $6 for children 3 and over and free for children 2 and under
Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm: A highlight at this Homer Glen pumpkin farm is the huge catapult which hurtles pumpkins through the air. Visitors can also catch a pig race, visit the Halloween shop or check out the kids’ village, complete with its own fire station and jail.13341 W. 151st St., Homer Glen; 708-301-3276$11.99 for adults and children 11 years and older; $10.99 for children ages 3 – 10 and seniors; free for children 2 and under
County Line Orchard: Located just over the state line, this Hobart, Ind. orchard is one of the best places in the area for apple picking. They grow more than 20 different varieties of the popular fall fruit, including Honey Crisp, which you can pick yourself or buy at the store. They also make their own delicious cider, donuts and breads and have a kids’ farm area with baby chicks, a mini-maze, music and dancing.200 S. County Line Rd.; Hobart, Ind.; 219-947-4477$1 general admission, free for children 2 and under
All Season Apple Orchard: Pick your own apples at this Woodstock farm’s 150-acre orchard or get a pumpkin from their 7-acre patch. After that, pick up fall décor, local fruit preserves and fresh-made cider and doughnuts at the country market or fire apples, corn and pumpkins out of their powerful cannons.14510 IL Rte. 176, Woodstock; 815-338-5637$5 general admission on weekdays, $8 on weekends, free for children 2 and under; $10 charge for apple picking
Jonamac Orchard: Head west to Malta to visit this U-Pick apple orchard and pumpkin patch. The farm also offers several engaging activities for little ones, such as a corn maze, duck races, slides, a sandbox and a kiddie train.19412 Shabbona Rd., Malta; 815-825-2158$32 for a family day pass or separate fees for each activityKuipers Family Farm: Kuipers offers a comprehensive fall orchard experience with U-pick apples and pumpkins as well as traditional farm activities like a hay bale maze, petting zoo and haywagon ride. Adults can book a tour of the farm, complete with an apple tasting session and complimentary cider and doughnuts.1N318 Watson Rd., Maple Park; 815-827-5200Apple orchard admission: $8.50 per personPumpkin farm admission: $8.75 on weekdays, $11.75 on weekends, free for children 2 and under
Chicago Pumpkin Patches: You don’t have to leave the city if you want to pick up a few pumpkins this fall. Check out pumpkin patches in Horner Park, Humboldt Park, Gage Park, Columbus Park and many other Chicago locations. Some pumpkin patches also offer activities like pumpkin decorating stations, photo stations and pony rides. Check the Chicago Park District website for details and a full list of pumpkin patch locations.