Activity Round Up | Pumpkin Patches and Apple Picking in the Midwest
Today we're sharing the sweetest family farms and orchards in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa that offer treats, activities, and entertainment for the whole family. If you haven’t already ventured out to visit one of our great midwest pumpkin patches or apple orchards, now is the time to plan your trip. Take an afternoon, a day, or a weekend to visit your favorite idyllic location and celebrate the flavors of the season!
Pumpkin Patches
The Great Pumpkin Patch
Arthur, Illinois
pumpkin mazes • botanical garden • farm animals • wagon rides
One of the most famous destinations Arthur, Illinois has to offer is The Great Pumpkin patch, where you can find over 300 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds from dozens of countries around the world. This agritourism spot began as a homestead in 1859, and the pumpkin patch has been operating for more than three decades. In between winding through their mazes of colorful gourds, you can also spend your brisk fall day strolling through their gardens, hopping on wagon rides, interacting with their resident farm animals, and more.
Uncle Bill’s Farm
Grinnell, Iowa
indoor apiary • greenhouse shop • corn maze • restaurant
Named one of the top 16 pumpkin farms in America by Travel + Leisure Magazine, this Iowa staple is well worth a trip for locals and tourists alike. Not only is there a 10-acre pumpkin patch to explore, but Uncle Bill’s Farm also offers an indoor glass apiary, train or wagon rides, a larger-than-life corn maze, and more. Plus, their shop and restaurant is always stocked with the sweetest and freshest caramel apples, kettle corn, cookies, and donuts.
Heap’s Giant Pumpkin Farm
Minooka, Illinois
giant pumpkins • hay rides • mazes • farm animals • live shows
For a truly unique pumpkin-picking experience, Heap’s Giant Pumpkin farm is the place to go. Their 25-acre pumpkin patch offers a remarkable variety of pumpkins from white, red, green, bumpy, and even giant pumpkins weighing hundreds of pounds. Whether you’re there to pick up some truly stand-out gourds or just to marvel, there are plenty of other activities on the farm for the whole family such as hay rides, mazes, farm animals, and live entertainment.
Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch and Farm
Hampshire and South Barrington, Illinois
hay rides • straw mazes • haunted houses • apple picking
This unique fall destination offers a unique one-stop shop for some of Illinois’ best pumpkins and apple varieties, plus so much more. Goebbert’s Farm, known for its towering silo decorated with a great jack-o-lantern, has been hosting a Fall Festival since 1978 that features hay rides, straw mazes, haunted houses, and more. Plus, the farm now has two locations for greater accessibility: head to either their Hampshire or their South Barrington location to pick the crispest apples and the tastiest pumpkins.
Richardson Adventure Farm
Spring Grove, Illinois
world’s largest corn maze • train rides • zip line • orb rides • petting zoo
Homesteaded in 1836 by English immigrant Robert Richardson, this farm has grown over the years from a modest 250 acres to include 544 acres and 2 farmsteads. Along with producing traditional crops and Christmas trees, the Richardson family also operates the Adventure Farm full of nonstop family fun. The farm is most famous for their 28-acre corn maze, the largest corn maze in the world, and they also offer a host of other attractions such as a petting zoo, zip lining, orb riding, wagon rides, and so much more.
Dollinger Farms
Channahon, Illinois
apiary • historic exhibits • corn maze • hay rides • homemade goods
This historic family farm offers the perfect mix of fall fun and rich Illinois tradition. The Dollinger family mission is to provide tourists with quality farm-grown pumpkins while championing learning. Visit with their resident farm animals, stop by the Bee Barn to learn about apiculture, visit their Native American exhibit to learn about indigenous tribes from the area, and enjoy a plethora of classic fall attractions such as corn mazes, train and hay rides, and more. Don’t forget to visit their refreshment shop for caramel apples, kettle corn, homemade fudge, and more.
Apple Orchards
All Seasons Orchard
Woodstock, Illinois
corn mazes • petting zoos • farmer’s market • bakery
Does the idea of spending your day wandering through an idyllic autumn orchard and snacking on some of the freshest, most aromatic apple cider donuts around sound like just what you’ve been missing? All Seasons Orchard in Woodstock, Illinois has you covered. This delicious location offers everything from corn mazes to petting zoos, all leading up to their breathtaking orchard filled with apples of every kind that you may pick at your leisure. While you’re there, don’t miss out on their farmer’s market and bakery— their famous apple cider donuts are not to be missed.
Beasley’s Orchard
Danville, Indiana
corn maze • farmer’s market • hay rides • apple cannons • festival games
Since 1946, Beasley’s Orchard in Danville, Indiana has been harvesting memories and providing the community with delicious, locally-grown produce. Marvel at their selection of apples, squash, pumpkins, and more at their farmer’s market located inside a Civil-War-era barn, explore their 8-acre corn maze, or take a hay ride to their pumpkin patch and pick your fill of produce along the way. For more unique family fun, they offer activities such as apple cannons, pony rides, fall festival games, and more.
Edwards Apple Orchard
Poplar Grove, Illinois
horseback riding • petting zoo • corn maze • farming museum • bakery
Just an hour’s drive from Evanston is a unique, family-run orchard that features horseback riding, wagon rides, a petting zoo, a corn maze, and a farm equipment museum. Fill your baskets full of fresh, crisp apples as younger members of the family enjoy their plethora of fall-themed activities before partaking in some of Edwards’ prepared foods, which include delicious staples like apple pie, ice cream, baked potatoes, and apple cider donuts.
County Line Orchard
Hobart, Indiana
timber barn • bakery • themed corn maze • live music
Inside a soaring timber frame barn on this beautiful location is a plethora of incredible treats that mark just one of the highlights that County Line Orchard has to offer. Wander through the sprawling, diverse fields of apple trees that are carefully maintained by the orchard owners, take the family through their themed corn maze, enjoy a fall treat or three at their intoxicating bakery, and catch local live music performed every weekend in the orchard.
Tanners Orchard
Speer, Illinois
farmers market • bakery • mini golf • train rides • playground
This fourth-generation orchard offers a breathtaking display of apple varieties, with over 11,000 trees and 17 apple varieties to explore. They also grow over 20 acres of pumpkins and other fruits and vegetables. Their farmers market is your one-shop stop for delicious apple themed goodies, from cider to jams and butters to gourmet foods, and their sweet new Apple Bin Bakery offers apple cider donuts, caramel apples, pies, and homemade fudge. Their Back 40 Fun Acres is the perfect place to go for a whole day of family fun, with features such as mini golf, train rides, a playground, festival games, and more.
Keller’s Farmstand
Oswego, Naperville, and Plainfield, Illinois
5K orchard run • farm animals • kids play area • homemade treats
This historic farrmstand spans over 30 years and now sports 3 locations across Illinois offering fresh-grown apples, pumpkins, vegetables, and high-quality flowers. Their Oswego orchard is full of seasonal apple varieties for picking, especially during the fall months, and they also offer a fall festival at their Oswego location which includes an 8-acre corn maze, a 5K Great Pumpkins Run, pumpkin and apple picking, farm animals, kids play area, and a concession stand featuring their homemade creamy fudge, caramel apples, apple cider donuts, and sweet-salty kettle corn.