There’s nothing like a healthy dose of regression to squash the stresses of everyday adulthood. After all, it’s hard to think about budget balancing and work woes when you’re chomping on a caramel apple or watching a giant catapult hurl a pumpkin to its pulpy fate. Revel in the arrival of autumn by packing your pals into the car and road-tripping to one of these local pumpkin patches.
Jonamac Orchard
19412 Shabbona Road, Malta. 815-825-2158
The drive: 80 minutes from the Loop
The pumpkins: Pre-picked or u-pick ($2-$8)
Chow down on: Apple pizza, a pastry-based dessert with apples and cheddar cheese ($10.95)
Corn maze: This 10-acre maze with a Northern Illinois University theme (complete with the outline of the Huskie mascot) and 8-foot walls ($6) is a challenge even for adults. On weekend nights from dusk to 10 p.m., it turns “haunted” with creepy creatures wandering throughout ($8). The no-flashlights-allowed policy may induce a “Children of the Corn”-like experience.
Our fave: The apple launcher ($2 for five tries) tends to be a magnet for junior-high boys, but when else will you have the chance to test your fruit-slinging skills?
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Oct. 31
Admission: Free
Kuipers Family Farm
1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park. 815-827-5200
The drive: 75 minutes from the Loop
The pumpkins: Pre-picked or u-pick (35 cents a pound); average pumpkins weigh in at 15-20 pounds ($4-$7).
Chow down on: Apple cider doughnuts ($6.95 a dozen) and buttery fudge ($2.49 per quarter pound)
Corn maze: Got an hour to spare? It’ll take you about that long to make your way through the Amazing Maize Maze, which boasts an Old McDonald’s Farm theme and two miles of trails with farm-themed navigation clues. Open weekends only, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through Oct. 28 ($7).
Our fave: On weekends, wagon rides upgrade from tractor-pulled to horse-drawn ($1.50).
Hours: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 31
Admission: $6.50 weekdays; $7.50 weekends. Includes a hayride to the pumpkin patch and access to various kid-centric activities. Shopping for pre-picked pumpkins is free.
Dollinger
Family Farm
7502 W. Hansel Road, Channahon. 815-467-6766
The drive: 70 minutes from the Loop
The pumpkins: Pre-picked and u-pick, starting at 50 cents for minis and up to $9 for the big guys
Chow down on: Caramel apples ($2-$3.25) and hot apple cider (50 cents)
Corn maze: The four-acre, 9-foot-tall Maize Maze is fashioned into a different geometric design each year ($3).
Our fave: Chainsaw sculpting on Saturday, Oct. 13 at noon. Enough said.
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Oct. 30
Admission: Free
County Line Orchard
200 S County Line Road, Hobart, Ind. 219-947-4477
The drive: 60 minutes from the Loop
The pumpkins: Pre-picked and u-pick, all 40 cents a pound, with the average weighing in at 15 to 20 pounds ($6-$8)
Chow down on: Glazed pumpkin spice doughnuts ($8 a dozen) and homemade fruit pies ($10-$11)
Corn maze: The MAiZE is no joke, covering eight acres with 2.5 miles of trails ($7; 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily).
Our fave: Host your own group bonfire for $90, which includes a hayride and a fire pit that seats up to 30. BYO marshmallows and hot dogs, but alcohol is a no-no.
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Oct. 31
Admission: Free
Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm
13341 W. 151st St., Homer Glen. 708-301-3276
The drive: 50 minutes from the Loop
The pumpkins: Pre-picked (29 cents a pound), ranging from two to 60 pounds and averaging 15 pounds ($4.35)
Chow down on: Kettle corn ($3.50-$5.75), roasted sweet corn ($2), or a plate of apple slices covered with hot caramel, whipped cream and nuts ($3)
Corn maze: A hard-core labyrinth this is not: You can leisurely navigate the kid-friendly Crazy Corn Maizey in about 15 minutes.
Our fave: Hands down, the Pumpkin Launcher: a giant catapult that slings squash to a smashing fate.
Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily through Oct. 30
Admission: $12. Includes a corn maze, pig races, haunted barn, hayrides and kitschy theme park-like animated attractions throughout, from a skeleton band to singing chickens. Yes, we said singing chickens.
