Where to pick pumpkins
Bengston's Pumpkin Farm: This Homer Glen farm offers hayrides, a haunted barn and fun farm, pig races, petting zoo, pony rides, corn maze, pumpkin launcher, Halloween shop, rides, animatronic chickens, skeleton band, pumpkin patch and food. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily Sept. 26 to Oct. 31. Admission: $13, $12 kids 3 to 11, free for kids 2 and under. Check Web site for coupon. 13341 W. 151st St., Homer Glen. 708-301-3276. www.pumpkinfarm.com.
Cottonwood Farms: Siegel's Cottonwood Farms is celebrating its 100th year as a working farm, with a new Centennial climbing wall, as well as old favorites such as two corn mazes, kiddie tractor maze, dwarf slide, giant slide, pumpkin patch moonwalk, haunted barn, petting zoo, pumpkin mine kiddie train, ghost town railroad, spooky spiral, gem mine, pony rides (weekends), caf' and Halloween shop. Also home to the Statesville Haunted Prison haunted house. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Sept. 26 to Nov. 1. Admission: $12; kids 2 and under free. Coupon available online. 17250 S. Weber Road, Crest Hill. 800-304-3276. www.ourpumpkinfarm.com.
Dollinger Family Farms: Pick your own pumpkins], corn maze, hay rides, train rides, farm animals, haunted barn and autumn vegetables. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Sept. 26 to Oct. 31. Free admission, activities extra. 7502 E. Hansel Road, Channahon. 815-467-6766. www.dollingerfarms.com.
Heap's Giant Pumpkins: Specializing in giant pumpkins also many rare heirloom varieties. Heap Farm has everything for fall and Halloween décor, including 70 varieties of pumpkins, gourds and squash. Corn maze, hayrack ride, corn box. Moonlight hay rides & group tours available with reservation. Open everyday at 9 a.m. Seven miles west of I-55 (exit 253) on US Highway 52. 815-475-7373 or 815-719-0730. Visit us on the web: www.heapsgiantpumpkinfarm.com.
Johansen Farms: A petting zoo is the main attraction at this Bolingbrook farm, with chickens, pigs, ducks, goats and rabbits for kids to pet and observe. There are also hayrides, train rides and pre-picked pumpkins. On the weekends, there's pony rides, an inflatable castle and air slides. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily Sept. 15 to Oct. 31. 710 W. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook. 630-759-8711. www.johansenfarms.com.
Kellers Farmstand: Keller's has three locations: Naperville, Plainfield and Oswego. They have pumpkins[0], seasonal vegetables, school tours, farm animals, refreshment stand and a giant corn maze at the Oswego location. Check Web site for times and dates. 630-554-1325. www.kellersfarmstand.com.
