Pumpkin patches near Chicago

35 miles from Chicago

Fall fun is the name of the game at Goebbert’s in South Barrington, where you can not only pick up all the pumpkins your heart desires, but you can also put the kids on a wagon ride or check out the exotic petting zoo (seriously, there’s a giraffe). Before you head home, get lost in the corn maze and check out the pumpkin-eating dinosaur.

40 miles from Chicago

U-Pick apples and pumpkins are the name of the game at this Indiana orchard, but that's not all that’s in store. Check out the bee yurts, where hundreds of bees work and live, or book your own campfire. The little ones will adore the Kids Farm, complete with pygmy goats and piggies. Best of all, you can bring home bags of fresh-baked breads, pies doughnuts and other fall treats from the orchard's premises.

70 miles from Chicago

You'll find more than apples at this orchard in Malta, Illinois. Cruise the 12-acre pumpkin patch in search of a perfectly plump squash before hitting up the Cider House, where you can sample apple wines and hard cider. If any teens tagged along, pay $15 to check out the haunted corn maze, which is open Friday through Sunday night (and, being somewhat spooky, recommended for ages 13 and older).

34 miles from Chicago

There’s a reason this lively farm calls its fall pumpkin-picking season Pumpkinfest. Watch pigs race, play in the silly string asylum or grab a hot dog and spiced apple cider at the concession stand. Of course, there's a huge selection of unique, unusual gourds to choose from—perfect for porch jack-o’-lanterns.

36 miles from Chicago

This one-stop shop offers piles of pumpkins, squash and gourds—everything you need to bring the season home to Chicago. The kiddos will have a chance to shop Halloween costumes, and everyone can enjoy roasted corn on the cob and cotton candy. Make time to take a spin on the haunted wagon ride, too.

30 miles from Chicago

Pumpkins, ponies and tractor rides make Bengtson’s a perfect fall getaway. Arrive hungry for apple cider doughnuts, award-winning barbecue and funnel cakes, too. Then let the kids expend some of that pent-up energy on the Barnyard Dance Cow Coaster and in Kids Village. Get a snapshot for the fridge at the free selfie booth before getting back in the car.

80 miles from Chicago

This sweet Caledonia farm is all about family togetherness, which means the little ones will have plenty to do. On the activities front, families can enjoy old-fashioned wagon rides, a petting zoo, a playground with inflatable rides and a seven-acre corn maze. The Great Harvest Barn offers a café and bakery plus a gift shop that's stocked with candy, canned goodies and home decor.

30 miles from Chicago

This aptly named Tinley Park orchard offers a pumpkin patch, corn cannons, a 15-acre corn maze, a cow-themed kiddie train, hay rides and so much more. In other words, don’t plan on a quick trip—you’ll want to spend the entire day at this massive farm. Check out the official website for weekly events throughout the season.

60 miles from Chicago

Visitors will get a built-in history lesson at this family farm in Channahon, Illinois. Located about an hour from Chicago, the grounds house an old barn that’s on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to the pumpkin patch, petting zoos and corn maze, check the farm’s website for events like a traveling reptile exhibit and chainsaw sculpting demonstrations.

47 miles from Chicago

A tractor hayride departs every 15 minutes from this northwest Indiana farm to escort visitors to the pumpkin patch, where they can pick their ideal pumpkin from the field. Once you've assembled your choice of pumpkins and gourds, head to the top of a hill to take a ride down the Pumpkin Peak Slide or visit goats and other farm animals at the on-site petting zoo.

60 miles from Chicago

Pumpkins range from one to 200 pounds and come in colors from classic orange to pink or blue at Stade's Farm and Market, so you're sure to find the perfect autumnal accent for your apartment or front porch here. The farm's amusement park is closed for this year, but kids can still have fall fun on hayrides, the petting zoo and a pumpkin barrel train. 

65 miles from Chicago

Thousands of pumpkins await you at this family-friendly farm and apple orchard in Woodstock, which grows bountiful varieties of both pumpkins and gourds. Select a larger pumpkin for carving or pick up a pie pumpkin for baking (there are also pies, doughnuts and other treats available the farm's market, in case you prefer someone else handle the baking). Other fall treats include a cider mill, corn maze and barnyard stocked with animals.

55 miles from Chicago

Visitors get one free pick-your-own pumpkin from a 71-acre patch with the price of admission to this farm and and apple orchard (purchasing your ticket online is recommended). Admission also nets you access to activities like a corn maze, tractor train, rat rollers and other games, so prepare to spend a whole day exploring. 

When you just need a little escape, hop in the car for a family weekend getaway to another cool Midwest destination. We all know Chicago is great when it comes to taking kids to the beach or playgrounds with water features, but sometimes you just need a change of scenery. Check out these sample itineraries to discover quaint small towns and even resorts full of awesome activities for kids.