Darien Fall Fun: Pumpkin Patches, Spooky Stories

David Giuliani
·5 min read

DARIEN, IL — Halloween is almost upon us in Darien, and there’s still time to get in some seasonal fun. Even in the time of coronavirus, the Chicago area’s pumpkin patches are open — and there’s still time to scare up some fun with Patch’s tour of spooky yard haunts and tales of local lore.

Here’s a list of some of our favorite pumpkin patches near Darien:

Sonny Acres Farm in West Chicago

  • Address: 29W310 North Ave. in West Chicago

  • Season: Sept. 19 to Oct. 31

  • Attractions: Jumping pillow, Kiddie Koral, daytime hayride, Sonny Express train, haunted experiences (coming in October).

  • Pumpkins and more: There are plenty of pumpkins and gourds for your selection. The harvest barn has a variety of squash, gourds and more.

  • Hours of operation (in October): 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday to Sunday

  • Cost: Check the Sonny Acres' website for more information

More information via the Sonny Acres' website or by calling 630-239-1230

Abbey Farms

  • Address: 2855 Hart Road in Aurora

  • Season opening: Sept. 19 to Nov. 1.

  • Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. No late-night corn maze for 2020.

  • Attractions: A large corn maze, corn cannons, tractor tire mountain, hayrides, weekend petting zoo, craft beer tent on Saturday and Sunday, and more. Curbside ordering for pumpkins and doughnuts. Special safety guidelines in place for 2020 season.

  • Pumpkins and produce: Abbey Farms has a 40-acre pick-your-own pumpkin farm

  • Cost: General admission tickets cost $17 each on weekends and holidays, and $12 each on weekdays and are available online or walk-up.

More via Abbey Farms website.

Siegel's Cottonwood Farm

  • Address: 17250 Weber Road, Lockport

  • Season: Sept. 26 to Oct. 31

  • Hours of operation: Country store: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Pumpkin Fest: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday through Sunday.

  • Attractions: Giant checkers, and tic tac toe, straw mountain, the famous corn maze (this year's theme is "Peace on Earth"), Connect 4, Peter Pumpkin Show and more. Statesville Haunted House closed for 2020 due to COVID-19.

  • Pumpkins, produce and more: Siegel's has a real pumpkin field that families can take a hayrack ride out to and pick a pumpkin right off the vine.

  • Cost: $19.95 on site/$16.95 online Friday through Sunday and Columbus Day. Weekend all-inclusive pass (Saturday/Sunday and Columbus Day) $27.95, must be purchased online. Free admission for military, police and fire with ID. ATMs available.

More via Siegel's Cottonwood Farm website.

Bengtson's

  • Address: 13341 W. 151st. Street, Homer Glen

  • Season: Sept. 25 to Nov. 2

  • Hours of operation: Hours vary. More information is available on Bengston's website. No weekday admission for 2020.

  • Attractions: Tractor Town, Happy Swing, chicken truck, mega slide, cow coaster, free selfie booth, gemstone and arrow head mining, pony rides, petting zoo, haunted barn, fun barn, pumpkins and more.

  • Pumpkins, produce and more: You can pick the perfect pumpkin, take home some of Bengtson's specialty products, enjoy an apple cider donut and several other delectable treats.

  • Cost: Admission ranges from $13.99 to $25.99, depending on the day and time. See the website for more details. Military (active duty or retired) are admitted free with ID. Pony rides an additional $6.

More via the Bengston's website.

Johansen's Farm

  • Address: 710 W. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook

  • Season: Sept. 18 to Nov. 1.

  • Hours of operation: Hours vary; check the website on zoo opening dates.

  • Attractions: Attractions include holding a baby chick, miniature golf, pony rides, hayrides, train rides, airslides, corn maze, pumpkin bouncer and more.

  • Pumpkins, produce and more: There is free parking and no charge to visit the pumpkin patch and open market area. There is a pie house and bakery, fall decor and autumn treat shop.

  • Cost: Admission price includes all animals, rides and activities. Admission is $9.95 per person on weekdays, $14.95 per person on the weekend and Columbus Day. Free for kids ages 23 months and younger; $1 discount for seniors on weekdays and $3 discount for seniors on weekends and Columbus Day. Free for anyone with a military ID, active or veteran.

More via Johansen's Farms website.

Konow's Corn Maze

  • Address: 16849 S Cedar Road, Homer Glen

  • Season: Sept. 19 to Oct. 30

  • Hours of operation: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Closed on Tuesdays.

  • Attractions: Konow's has two corn mazes — one with 3.4 miles of twists and turns and a 0.4-mile kids' corn maze. Konow's also has an animal barn, fun rides, hayrides, two corn pits, two jumping pillows, a western town, putting green, weekend face painting, evening campfires and a shooting gallery. Masks must be worn on all rides and 6-feet social distancing is in effect on the grounds.

  • Cost: $10 per person on Monday through Friday and $12 per person on Saturday, Sunday and Columbus Day. $13 admission on Charity Day (Oct. 4). Ages 2 and younger get in free. Active military and veterans get in free when they show their military ID.

More via Konow's Corn Maze website.

And if pumpkin patches aren’t enough to get you into the Halloween spirit, check out Patch’s tour of haunted yards

And while you’re at it, read through Patch’s roundup of urban legends and vote for the scariest — from Resurrection Mary to the Demon Barber of Palos.

More fall fun:

If we missed your favorite pumpkin patch, be sure to share it with readers in the comments section.


This article originally appeared on the Darien Patch