Where to find pumpkin patches near Chicago

Driving time from Chicago: 45 minutes

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.

Driving time from Chicago: One hour

This massive farm is an autumnal wonderland, complete with a pumpkin patch, apple orchard and sprawling corn maze. 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.

Driving time from Chicago: 90 minutes

You'll find more than apples at this orchard in nearby 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). Younger kids are welcome to check out the new corn crib play barn.

Driving time from Chicago: One hour

There’s a reason this lively farm in Lincolnshire, Illinois 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.

Driving time from Chicago: One hour

This one-stop shop in West Chicago offers piles of pumpkins, squash and gourds—everything you need to bring the season home to Chicago. When you’re not selecting the perfect seasonal orbs, kiddos (and adults) can enjoy snacks from the outdoor grill like hot dogs burger and brats. During the day, Sonny Acres’ haunted barn does not feature any actors, so it is great for kids or anyone who doesn’t like to be spooked. For those who are thrill seekers, stick around for the night-time haunted hayride and barn filled with thrilling experiences around every corner.

Driving time from Chicago: 45 minutes

Pumpkins, ponies and tractor rides make Bengtson’s in Homer Glen, Illinois 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.

Driving time from Chicago: 90 minutes

A family-owned farm in Kenosha, Wisconsin that continues to keep traditions alive, Jerry Smith Farm hasn’t changed all that drastically since it opened in 1975. Visitors can enjoy more than two dozen hand painted pumpkin displays that have a different theme every year. And Jerry Smith doesn’t just have pumpkins fit for jack-o-lanterns to pick from its patch—you’ll also find big Cinderella pumpkins and swan gourds. The petting zoo is like no other in the area and allows a limited number of people to pet a zebra, kangaroo, armadillo or skunk.

Driving time from Chicago: 90 minutes

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.

Driving time from Chicago: 45 minutes

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.

Driving time from Chicago: 75 minutes

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 chainsaw sculpting demonstration, story time or a costume contest.

Driving time from Chicago: 75 minutes

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.

Driving time from Chicago: One hour

At Johnson’s you won’t just be leaving with a pumpkin or two, but also flowers from the garden center and vegetables to bring home to your kitchen table. Hop on a U-Pick tram that will bring you to the field to pick your favorite pumpkins, in addition to veggies like kale, peppers and eggplants (just check the produce list to see what else is fresh). The pumpkin patch is only open during the weekend, when visitors can also visit the baby goat village, go gem mining and find a village playground for kids.

Driving time from Chicago: 90 minutes

Stades Farm and Market is the place to go if you're in search of a picture perfect red barn surrounded by green fields. The McHenry, Illinois farm features a sunset hayride driven by an antique tractor around the property, pumpkin picking by the moonlight and a bonfire area for you and your family to make s'mores to wrap up a fun filled day. After picking your pumpkin, you can also watch one fly into the air, propelled by the farm’s pumpkin cannon! Stades has plenty of unique attractions, including a bunny village, where you can observe a family of rabbits run around and play with each other.

Driving time from Chicago: 90 minutes

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.

Driving time from Chicago: 45 minutes

Johansen Farms in Bolingbrook, Illinois grows around 25,000 pumpkins in its patch so you’ll be sure to find the perfect one. After perusing the patch to find the ideal gourd, kids can enjoy some of the coolest activities this farm has to offer. Stop by the petting zoo that boasts more than one hundred animals and hold a baby chick or sit one-on-one with a goat. The zoo has been redesigned to account for COVID-19 protocols, so you won’t have to worry about crowds. There’s also a mini-golf course and pony rides if you happen to visit during the weekend.

Driving time from Chicago: 75 minutes

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 and other games, so prepare to spend a whole day exploring.