While we love apple orchards, our families think Halloween is boo-tastic! The leaves are just starting to turn and we can't wait to hit some pumpkin patches with our messy crew. We wanted to share a couple of our favorite pumpkin patches as you plan your October family fun!
While Tony, Sophia, Stella and I live in Chicago, we are down in Joliet all the time visiting family and friends. Last fall we finally went to Siegel's Pumpkin Fest at Cottonwood Farm and we had a ball! The farm is huge and is a great value in the competitive, can be expensive pumpkin farm space! Cottonwood lives up to their tag line, A Day of Affordable Family Fun on the Farm by including 31 attractions in the general admissions price. They also have a great website so you can clearly see what is included and what features would be an additional cost. Click here for pricing. You can take a survey to obtain a coupon and check out www.LocalFlavor.com to see if a deal is available.
If your kids like bouncy houses this is the pumpkin farm for you! When we first came into the pumpkin farm we were glad to see two bouncy houses and the girls hit the bouncy house slides with gusto. After playing there for a bit we went off to explore the pumpkin patch. The girls erupted in shrieks of glee when we discovered a row of bouncy houses! We hit every single one and the bouncy obstacle course was their favorite. There are so many fun activities packed into this awesome farm. From the expected corn pit to the climbable Maddie's spider web to the giant rocking chair, the girls were in constant motion. Luckily for their grandparents and me, there are plenty of picnic tables and close places to sit to watch the kids. Since the girls were only 3 and a half last fall, I appreciated that in addition to the massive, intricate corn maze for older kids and adults, Cottonwood has a sweet little kids corn maze with cute signs for the kids to dart around. You can take a ride on the Ghost Town Railroad as well as on the Pumpkin Mine Kiddie Train. The Hayrack rides are always a fall favorite. If the bouncy houses did not wear your kids out, they can also climb around the play lands scattered around the farm. Get ready to feed some cute farm animals and a pumpkin fairy entertains children throughout the day. Older kids will also have fun hitting the Sniper Zombie Paintball and Fly'n Farmer's ZipLine.
As a mom, one of the logistical things I appreciated was that food options are scattered throughout the farm. This made it so easy to grab a drink as we bounced along the farm and provided several lunch options. The apple cider donuts were excellent and our girls gave the mac and cheese high marks!
You can hit the pumpkin patch for cute pictures and to pick your favorite pumpkins. The huge 15 acres corn maze is remembers 9/11 this year and pays tribute to first responders.
While happily exhausted, on our way out we did mange to swing by the cute Kaity's Country Store. You can pick up fresh pies, fudge, jellies and jams, and super cute fall decorations.
Overall, Siegel's Halloween Fest is an awesome, action packed place for a family fall outing! And, a great value! Hope to see you at the bouncy houses this fall!
If your kids like bouncy houses this is the pumpkin farm for you! When we first came into the pumpkin farm we were glad to see two bouncy houses and the girls hit the bouncy house slides with gusto. After playing there for a bit we went off to explore the pumpkin patch. The girls erupted in shrieks of glee when we discovered a row of bouncy houses! We hit every single one and the bouncy obstacle course was their favorite. There are so many fun activities packed into this awesome farm. From the expected corn pit to the climbable Maddie's spider web to the giant rocking chair, the girls were in constant motion. Luckily for their grandparents and me, there are plenty of picnic tables and close places to sit to watch the kids. Since the girls were only 3 and a half last fall, I appreciated that in addition to the massive, intricate corn maze for older kids and adults, Cottonwood has a sweet little kids corn maze with cute signs for the kids to dart around. You can take a ride on the Ghost Town Railroad as well as on the Pumpkin Mine Kiddie Train. The Hayrack rides are always a fall favorite. If the bouncy houses did not wear your kids out, they can also climb around the play lands scattered around the farm. Get ready to feed some cute farm animals and a pumpkin fairy entertains children throughout the day. Older kids will also have fun hitting the Sniper Zombie Paintball and Fly'n Farmer's ZipLine.
As a mom, one of the logistical things I appreciated was that food options are scattered throughout the farm. This made it so easy to grab a drink as we bounced along the farm and provided several lunch options. The apple cider donuts were excellent and our girls gave the mac and cheese high marks!
You can hit the pumpkin patch for cute pictures and to pick your favorite pumpkins. The huge 15 acres corn maze is remembers 9/11 this year and pays tribute to first responders.
While happily exhausted, on our way out we did mange to swing by the cute Kaity's Country Store. You can pick up fresh pies, fudge, jellies and jams, and super cute fall decorations.
Overall, Siegel's Halloween Fest is an awesome, action packed place for a family fall outing! And, a great value! Hope to see you at the bouncy houses this fall!
Our first visit to Goebbert’s Farm and Garden Center located in South Barrington, Illinois was in October 2010 when Eleanora was three years old. She loved walking through the entrance to meet the life size cutouts of the Snoopy Characters, Winnie the Pooh and friends, and Scooby Doo. Here we were able to snap several pictures of Eleanora sitting in the character scenes. In this area you will find beautiful mums for purchase along with your first look at some of the pumpkins for sale at the farm. Our tradition of visiting Goebbert’s continues - Eleanora is now nine years old and looking forward to this year’s visit.
Our visits always include a wagon ride, pony rides and a search for the great pumpkin we will turn into a jack-o’-lantern when we get home.
On our second visit to the farm when Eleanora was four years old, her dad thought the Haunted House would be fun to visit. I am not a huge fan of Haunted Houses so decided I’d wait outside. Matt swooped Eleanora up and she wrapped her little arms around his neck and held on for dear life and they walked through the scary (but not too scary) haunted house. When they came through the exit, Eleanora’s eyes were closed and had been the whole time they were in the haunted house! While Eleanora still wants to hold her dad’s hand (and may still have her eyes closed) as they zip through the haunted house, she realizes the scary scenes are just pretend. As a mom – I recommend saving this activity for kids five years old and up…
Each year we find new things to do at Goebbert’s Farm. This year we look forward to finding out about the Duck Derby and Straw Pyramid! The Fall Festival at Goebbert’s Farm is in full swing so you can head out and enjoy the pig races, the jumping pillow, the play yard, gem mining, pony and camel rides and much more. Of course you will also be able to enjoy a delicious apple cinnamon donut at the Red Barn Café and Bakery.
For a full listing of the activities and pricing, check out Goebbert's Farm at www.goebbertsgardencenter.com.
Our visits always include a wagon ride, pony rides and a search for the great pumpkin we will turn into a jack-o’-lantern when we get home.
On our second visit to the farm when Eleanora was four years old, her dad thought the Haunted House would be fun to visit. I am not a huge fan of Haunted Houses so decided I’d wait outside. Matt swooped Eleanora up and she wrapped her little arms around his neck and held on for dear life and they walked through the scary (but not too scary) haunted house. When they came through the exit, Eleanora’s eyes were closed and had been the whole time they were in the haunted house! While Eleanora still wants to hold her dad’s hand (and may still have her eyes closed) as they zip through the haunted house, she realizes the scary scenes are just pretend. As a mom – I recommend saving this activity for kids five years old and up…
Each year we find new things to do at Goebbert’s Farm. This year we look forward to finding out about the Duck Derby and Straw Pyramid! The Fall Festival at Goebbert’s Farm is in full swing so you can head out and enjoy the pig races, the jumping pillow, the play yard, gem mining, pony and camel rides and much more. Of course you will also be able to enjoy a delicious apple cinnamon donut at the Red Barn Café and Bakery.
For a full listing of the activities and pricing, check out Goebbert's Farm at www.goebbertsgardencenter.com.
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