PUMPKIN PARADISE

We’ll soon be heading into the season of all things pumpkin. Coffee shops will roll out those fall flavors. Pumpkin patches will kick off fall events with pumpkin picking and other seasonal fun. Here’s a few things to keep on your radar:

September 6 - November 3
Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival
13341 West 151st Street
Homer Glen
Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm is the premier Fall festival and pumpkin patch in the Chicagoland area. It was established in 1981 when the Bengtson family was selling their pumpkin crop to the public from the family farm. Now it is a huge seasonal attraction and tradition for many families. Admission includes unlimited access to all the rides and activities. Most walkways are paved, making it very stroller-friendly. 

October 5
The Great Pumpkin Party
Centennial Park
15600 West Avenue
Orland Park
Designed for ages 1 through 9, this is a fun fall event you won't want to miss. There will be two sessions and registration is required. Hay rides, marshmallow roasting, pony rides, a pumpkin weight guessing contest and inflatables are among the fun.

October 5-20 (Saturdays and Sundays)
Boo at the Zoo!
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
8400 31st Street
Brookfield
Bring your little pumpkins to the zoo for a day of family-filled fall fun. Ride the creepy carousel, snap some pictures with some cute seasonal backdrops and watch the animals nosh on their favorite Halloween treat - pumpkins. Costumes are encouraged!

October 6
Family Fall Fest
Gale Moore Park 
109th & Nordica Avenue
Worth
Enjoy Fall Fun for the entire family with hayrides, a petting zoo, pony rides, pumpkin patch, live music, food trucks and more.

October 25
Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt
Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center
20000 South Western Avenue
Olympia Fields
Aimed at ages 3 to 12, this event is full of fun and games along the trail of this woodland pumpkin patch after dark. Kids can also do a spooky craft and enjoy a sweet treat.

Konow's Corn Maze
16849 South Cedar Road
Homer Glen
You'll find piles of pumpkins, corn mazes, animal barns and all kinds of other fall fun here. Have an exciting time on the rides and hop on a hay ride. There’s also indoor attractions so you can enjoy the farm fun even when the weather isn't the best.

VanderDerGriends Farm Stand
2812 Glenwood Lansing Road
Lansing
This seasonal farm stand is full of flavors and sites of fall, from the bursting yield of apple harvest to corn stalks to pumpkins and gourds of all shapes and sizes. Stop by for your fall decorating and baking needs.

Visit some area coffee shops, cafes, bakeries and breakfast spots to get a taste of the seasonal pumpkin spice specials, like KDulche Cafe in Lansing, Big Apple Pancake House in Chicago Heights and Franklin's Pie Co. in Palos Heights.

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