I know it's early in the season, but with this weather, I've been looking into a good pumpkin patch. Feels a little like fall! Looking for one that's not commercially driven. Any suggestions????
I love the Children's Farm in Palos. Run by volunteers, there is a great barn and pony rides for the kids. You take a hayride out to the pumpkin patch and pick the pumpkins, but I don't think they start the pumpkin picking until October. http://www.thecenterpalos.org/Farm.html
Stade's Farm up in Johnsburg is great... it is a little commercial but not overly so compared to some I've seen. Certainly the commercialism doesn't get in the way of the goods -- produce, pumpkins, etc. It's a real working family run farm and business and once their Shades of Autumn starts there's additional activities offered along with picking pumpkins. Their site is at http://www.shadesofautumn.net/home.php if you want to check out the schedule and location. We go with the kids several times each fall (we live really close to it).
Not sure what area you live in, but we go to Goebberts Farm every year http://www.pumpkinfarms.com/ they have a haunted house, a hayride, horse rides and a HUGE Zoo with pig races. Its a family tradition since my daughter was 9 months old...the pumpkins are ok priced but we go for the fun...great food and so much to do for a whole day!!! dont forget the camera there is plenty to snap! Good luck if you need a different area suggestion let me know but this ones worth the drive :)
L.
There is a pumpkin patch in Oswego that is only two years old. My co-worker's family owns it. It's called Keller's Farm and their website is www.kellersfarmstand.com. They have a corn maze, petting zoo, hay ride - all that fun stuff.
Sunny Acres in St. Charles is great. We go there. it is close to 64 and 59. have fun.
S.
Konow's Pumpkin Patch in Homer Glen. Reasonably priced, great time for the kids.
We love Kuipers Family Farm in Maple Park. I guess it is commercial, but it's still quaint, I think. Here's the link:
http://www.kuipersfamilyfarm.com/
Have fun!
K.
Goebberts Farm - we go there every year, lots of stuff too do. I believe there are 2 different locations to choose from too. If you go try the sliced apple in the bake shoppe, with carmel and nuts....its great!!!
Deidier Farm in Long Grove. Has tons of activity...hay ride, petting zoo (goats and such), some kid rides. It's fun!
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-pumpkin-patch-barrington
very cute and non-commercial. great for smaller kiddies. (not very big though, so you can't make a day out of it)
Johansen's Pumpkin farm, in Bolingbrook has a lot of fun and free activities.
http://www.johansenfarms.com/
Places like Bengston's has a lot of activities, (including pig races) but is much more commercial (and can get PRICEY!)
http://www.pumpkinfarm.com/
Also, Round Barn, in Manhattan, IL, is a beautiful, old fashioned, property, managed by the Park District. Their web-site is currently under revision but they did host some special events last year so you may want to call the park district, directly, to inquire.
http://www.manhattanparkdistrictil.org/home.html
I would recommend Kuipers in Maple Park. They have a really nice apple orchard..you can pick your own, or not. They have great apple cider, donuts, animals, corn maze and pumpkins. it would be a nice weekend trip for you.
We love the one in Johnsburg/McHenry! It is at Stades Farm. Here is thier website for thier Shades of Autumn doings http://www.shadesofautumn.net/home.php
We have had a blast just going and not really spending a fortune. Everything is reasonably priced from the pumpkins to the hay and also horse rides to the barrel train ride! There is also a cute petting zoo and they have all kinds of stuff!!!! I love it! I think there is also cannons you get to shoot pumpkins or corn at targets-and I know they have been doing a pumpkin shoot at Obama too! But every year since having my daughter we go there! There is lots to do and lots of memories to be made here! Just make sure you do not forget the camera! Oh yeah... it is free to get in and free parking! You just pay for the things that you do and it is much more affordable than many I have been to in the past!
Have fun where ever you go! Blessings to you!
We love Dollinger Farm in Minooka. Little houses to climb in / slide on , haystacks,petting zoo. I think there is a train ride on the weekends .It's not super crowded either. They had the most beautiful mums last year. $6 I think. And I'm not a fan of mums.Have fun:)
