Here Are The 7 Absolute Best Pumpkin Patches In Illinois To Enjoy In 2023
By Linze Rice|Published September 18, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
Flannels, mums, and hay rides — oh my! Fall is the best time of year in Illinois, and one of our greatest traditions is spending an afternoon at the pumpkin patch, carefully selecting our favorite orange gourds. Growing up in the country, I was surrounded by family farms, many of which offered pumpkins for sale once fall rolled around. Add in extras like cider doughnuts, corn mazes, and outdoor attractions and we’re really feeling the spirit. To help spread some autumnal joy, we’ve rounded up the seven best pumpkin patches in Illinois — perfect for a small-town day trip.
1. Goebbert's Farm — South Barrington and Pingree Grove
Starting our journey in Northern Illinois, we head to Goebbert's Farm, which has locations in South Barrington and Pingree Grove. This massive outdoor fall playground is recognizable from miles away by its distinctive and beloved pumpkin smiley face silo — something I always loved seeing growing up in the area. Since 1972, the farm has delighted families with its massive pumpkin patch, and today has nearly everything one could dream of and more: a garden center, a bakery and fresh produce shop, tons of pumpkins, and a fall festival that runs through Halloween. The fest includes a haunted house, jumping pillow, a pumpkin-eating dinosaur, wagon rides, pig racing, gem mining, magic shows, a corn maze, and more. Until October 30, the farm is open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
I'll always have a special place in my heart for the Maple Park favorite Kuipers Family Farm. Not only did I briefly work on the pumpkin farm myself one year, but my grandpa played Santa there during the Christmas season and pulled tractors full of eager apple and pumpkin pickers for years. Kuipers is truly a family-operated farm and is one of the best in the state. It offers fields of pumpkins, a farm store, a mountain slide, a jumping pillow, pig races, a haunted forest and scream shed, farm animals, hayrides, and so much more as part of its fall Funfarm. Plus, on the other side of the property is a huge bakery and shop with wine, apples for picking, and more.
Next we head to Homer Glen for another incredible world of seasonal fun at Bengston's Pumpkin Farm and Fall Festival. Part pumpkin patch-part theme park, this farm is host to 13 family-friendly rides, including a Barnstormer Wave Swinger, spinning barrels, Barnyard Dance Cow Coaster, a Gemstone and Arrowhead Mining Sluice, and many more. Of course, plenty of farm animals will be on hand for pets, plus a family selfie station, hayrides, a railroad, and a pumpkin chucker.
Just south of the Wisconsin border is the Lindberg Pumpkin Patch in Caledonia, a 7-acre U-pick patch filled with perfectly pickable pumpkins. The farm is open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily and also includes a barnyard, corn maze, shopping, food (make sure to get some cider doughnuts!), and great family photo ops. For many, this place has become an annual trip not to be missed!
Learn how to make Lindberg Pumpkin Patch your next fall adventure by checking out their website and Facebook page!
In Central Illinois is the family-owned Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch, a Champaign must-visit destination since 1977. The farm has pumpkins available for picking or in its shop — all perfect for carving, pie-making, or decor. On the farm, you'll also find horse-drawn wagon rides, a giant slide, a pumpkin jumping pad, a corn maze, pony rides, a kids' area, a goat petting zoo, a playground, an orchard store, a cafe, and much more.
In Illinois' Amish country, we find The Great Pumpkin Patch, a serene farm with stunning views of the countryside. This pumpkin patch boasts about 300 varieties of pumpkins and displays more than 5,000 gorgeous mums. Pick your own pumpkins or pick your favorite from the hundreds of freshly harvested. While you're there, enjoy the mazes and wagon rides, Homestead Bakery, a sweets shop, historic buildings, live music, and thousands of beautiful flowers. The farm opens on September 20 and runs through October 29, with visiting hours between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., Wednesdays - Sundays.
In Southern Illinois, the family-owned Pumpkin Blossom Hill offers an idyllic pumpkin patch experience with tons of gourds to choose from, plus a corn pit, slides, mechanical bull, swings, a tractor playground, a craft/antique store, and areas for picnicking families. Pro tip: Visit on a weekend day to try their kettle corn!
Which of these best pumpkin patches in Illinois have you visited? Which are on your fall bucket list? Have another favorite pumpkin patch? Tell us in the comments! And if you’re like me and want to make sure you’re full on-theme for the fall, this adorable bestselling pumpkin sweatshirt from Etsy has more than 6,000 positive reviews and is the perfect way to stay comfy and cozy during autumnal adventures.
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