Best Pumpkin Patches In McHenry, Lake And Cook Counties 2019

CHICAGO, IL — Pumpkin patches and fall festivals across Lake, McHenry and Cook counties are open for the season. We've compiled a list of some of our favorite pumpkin patches across these counties that offer up great pumpkins, fall attractions, and more festive fun for the whole family below.

Stade's Farm & Market

This spot is said to be a blast, according to a Grayslake Patch reader who recently went out to the McHenry farm.

• Address: 3709 Miller Road, McHenry
• Season opening date: Stade's fall farmtractions theme park and Shades of Autumn Fall Festival opened Sept. 7
• Attractions: Stade's offers its Shades of Autumn Fall Festival, which includes a petting zoo, mazes, the pumpkin barrel train, carousel, trikes for tykes, hamster run, authentic semi-truck slide, apple cannons, tractor left, strawberry swirl swing ride, barrel train, ferris wheel, climbing web, duck races, giant jumping pillow and much more. Stade's also has a weekly worship service at 10 a.m. on Sunday where an inspiring message, worship music, apple cider donuts and coffee are provided.
• Pumpkins and produce: Stade's offers U-Pick raspberries, apples, pumpkins, green beans, tomatoes and sugar snap peas. U-Pick hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stade's market has in-season fruits and vegetables, freshly baked pies and Apple Cider Donuts, salsa, spices, gluten-free items, soup mixes, eggs, honey, gift items and much more.
• Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in September, as well as Columbus Day and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October
• Cost: General admission is free, parking is free. General admission is $15 for ages 3 to 64 years old, 64 and older are $10. Free for kids age 2 and younger.

More information via Stade's website.

Kroll's Fall Harvest Farm

• Address: 13236 W. Town Line Road in Waukegan
• Season's opening date: Sept. 21
• Pumpkins and more: Yes, you can pick your own pumpkin, but there is also a corn maze (designed in the shape of a horse), farm animals to visit and hayrides.
• Hours of operation: Kroll's is open from noon to 8 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, from noon to 10 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
• Cost: There is no general admission or parking fee at the farm but some activities do cost money. Pumpkins are priced between $2 and $15. Bring cash as no credit cards are accepted. There is also an ATM at the farm.

Didier Farms

• Address: 16678 W. Aptakisic Road in Lincolnshire
• Season opening/closing date: Didier Farms Pumpkinfest will open on Sept. 21 and close for the season at 4 p.m. Oct. 31
• Pumpkinfest Activities, Farmstand: Didier Farms' Pumpkinfest is open to kids off all ages and includes pig races, silly string asylum (it's like a paintball experience but open to all ages), an animal land zoo and a parakeet exhibit where you can feed the birds. There are also hayrides, a corn maze, camel rides, a kiddie carousel, ferris wheel, pumpkin playland and gem mining activity. Didier Farms also has a farmstand where fresh vegetables and more can be purchased.
• Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
• Cost: There is no admission fee. Tickets are available for purchase at $1 per ticket. Most attractions can be enjoyed for under five tickets. The hayride/corn maze (package deal only) is $5.

More via Didier Farms website or by calling 847-634-3291.

Goebbert's Farm and Garden Center - South Barrington

• Address: 40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington
• Season opening: Fall festival opens on Sept. 14
• Animal Land and Little Farmers Play Land and More: Activities include a giraffe barn, pumpkin-eating dino, pig racing, pony rides, camel rides, wagon ride, little farmer's play yard, corn stalk maze, pumpkin eating dinosaur, the pumpkin tunnel, climbing trucks and cut outs, corn box, corn hole game, ring toss game and more. Goebbert's also has its Red Barn Cafe & Bakery for some tasty treats, including Apple Cider Donuts and Pumpkin cookies.
• Pumpkins and produce: Goebbert's has a large display of pumpkins to choose from in the free area of its farm. Goebbert's grows over 200 acres of fresh vegetables.
• Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (no tickets sold after 5:30 p.m.)
• Cost: There is free parking and no general admission cost. Prices vary for admission to the Animal Land and Little Farmer's Playland. Tickets include wagon rides and cost $16.99 on the weekends and Columbus Day and $12.99 Monday through Friday. There is an additional charge for some activities at Goebbert's.

This farm and pumpkin patch spot is a favorite among Palatine Patch readers.

For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit Goebbert's website.

Dave's Pumpkins

• Address: 9112 Algonquin Road, Huntley
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day (in the fall). Hayrides run on weekends and Columbus Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning mid-September.
• Activities: Haunted Hayride is $3 per person, and guests ages 2 and under are free. Other activities include Antique Pedal Tractors for kids to enjoy for free, a free mini maze, and free pumpkin bowling, all available most weekends and holidays. A picnic area can be reserved for private parties based on availability.
• Pumpkins, produce and more:As of Sept. 10, Dave's website reports a good supply of "beautiful jack-o-lantern pumpkins, gourds, mini-pumpkins and watermelon. Straw bales, broom corn, corn shocks and pie pumpkins are all being harvested now and should be at the stand Saturday morning, Sept. 14."
• Dave's Fresh Cider Donuts: Available weekends and holidays only. More info. including a special offer.
• Cost: Free parking, free admission, $8 per pumpkin (any size).

More fall fun:

• Fright Fest At Six Flags Great America: Tickets, Schedule, More
• Fall Foliage Peak Map 2019: When Autumn Leaves Are Best In Illinois
• Apple Orchards, Corn Mazes: Chicago-Area 2019 Guide

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