Amazing Fall Attractions Draw Crowds in McHenry County

The time for corn mazes, pumpkin patches, apple orchards and, of course, Halloween, is upon us.

Visit McHenry County has compiled a list of some of the best fall attractions worth checking out in McHenry County. Before heading out, be sure to consult websites or call ahead for additional information, hours and driving instructions.

CORN MAZES & PUMPKIN PATCHES

Pumpkins are star attractions at the farms listed below and at many apple orchards, farm markets and farmers markets in McHenry County. You can pick your own or choose from pre-picked ones at many locations, along with squash, gourds, autumn decorations and fall vegetables. Most are open through October, but check websites for hours.

Richardson Adventure Farm, Spring Grove, Sept. 3 - Oct. 30, plus Labor Day & Columbus Day: Venture where no corn has gone before! This year's maze celebrates "Star Trek," the TV/movie series that entered Earth's atmosphere in 1966, with 28 acres and 11 miles of twisting and turning cornfusion and fun. And choose from thousands of pumpkins and gourds in all shapes and sizes from four inches up to 50 pounds and larger. Enjoy more than 30 other activities, including a vintage carousel, train ride, zip line, pig races, food pavilion, private campfires and picnic areas.www.RichardsonAdventureFarm.com

Stade's Farm and Market, McHenry, Weekends Sept. 10 - Oct. 30, plus Columbus Day: Wind your way through a corn maze, pick out your favorite pumpkin, ride "Frank," the big purple combine, enjoy hayrides, pumpkin cannon, live music, other entertainments and farm-cooked food all at Stade's Shades of Autumn Festival. www.stadesfarmandmarket.com

Von Bergen's Country Market, Hebron, Sept. 27: There are two corn mazes - one for little kids - at Von Bergen's 16th Annual Plow Day & Tractor Show. See plowing demos, tractor parade through the countryside, tractor pull, pony rides, pumpkin train rides, farm animal zoo, pumpkin egg hunt, food vendors, live music and more. www.vonbergens.com

29th Annual Autumn Drive, Woodstock to Marengo, October 14, 15 & 16: Don't miss this progressive festival, when McHenry County farms between Woodstock and Marengo open their barnyards and farmhouse doors to the public. Pick up fall produce, apples, pumpkins and baked goods, crafts, pottery, jewelry, lawn ornaments and antiques. www.autumndrive.net

FALL FARM MARKETS

Loyola University Retreat & Ecology Campus, Woodstock, Fridays through October: Choose among tables full of organically grown fruit and vegetables -- colorful heirloom tomatoes, super-hot peppers, squash, beets, lettuce, cut herbs, eggplant, potatoes; whatever is ready to harvest is available to you, along with farm manager, Emily Zack, and Loyola University interns happy to answer questions about your own gardens. Freshly baked bread is also for sale. www.luc.edu/retreatcampus/farm

• Cody's Farm & Orchard, Marengo, www.codysfarm.com
• Dave's Pumpkins, Huntley and Woodstock, www.davespumpkins.com
• Patyk's Farm Market & Greenhouse, Richmond, www.patykfarms.com
• Tom's Farm Market, Huntley, www.tomsfarmmarket.com
• Twin Garden Farms, Harvard, www.twingardenfarms.com
• Von Bergen's Country Market, Hebron, www.vonbergens.com

APPLE ORCHARDS

Royal Oak Farm's Amaze 'N Apples, Harvard, Through November 19: Amaze 'N Apples, the country's first apple maze, is shaped like a giant apple and created out of living apple trees. It has one and a half miles of trails, 3,000 trees and nine varieties of apples. Trails are eight to 12 feet wide, with trees planted three feet apart, "espaliered" to grow horizontally in a dense wall seven feet tall. Included are children's activities, educational info, benches, rest areas and a grassy orchard floor. (The farm recently released a new story book, "The Amaze 'N Apple Adventure," that teaches kids about the maze through the adventures of Princess SnowSweet. It's available in the Royal Oak Gift Shop.) Royal Oak Farm's main orchard is amazing, too! Pick from 29 varieties on 16,000 trees, or buy pre-picked ones. There's a full-service restaurant, bakery, gift shop, wagon rides, carousel, orchard tours, petting zoo, kiddie train and more. www.RoyalOakFarmOrchard.com

All Seasons Orchard, Woodstock, Through October: Choose pre-picked or U-pick from a dozen varieties of apples on more than 10,000 trees. Indoor restaurant serves lunch on weekends and holidays, and the bakery serves up homemade apple donuts, cider, caramel apples and apple pie daily. Get lost in the 10-acre corn maze and choose from thousands of jack-o-lantern wannabes in the pumpkin patch. Pig races and magic shows occur several times each day on weekends. www.allseasonsorchard.com

McHenry County has seven additional orchards, all open through October, and a few open in November. Most are clustered around Woodstock, with one near Union. Check websites or call for more information on picking dates and times:

• Homestead Orchard, Woodstock, www.homesteadorchard.net
• Knoll's Apple Orchard, Woodstock, 815-337-2334
• Lang's Orchard, Woodstock, www.langsorchard.com
• Meadowmoor Orchard, Woodstock, www.meadowmoororchard.com
• More Than Delicious Orchard, Woodstock, www.morethandelicious.com
• Prairie Sky Orchard, Union, www.prairieskyorchard.com
• Woodstock Country Orchard, Woodstock, www.woodstockcountryorchard.com

MORE ON PATCH: Apple Orchards Worth Checking Out This Weekend

FARMERS MARKETS

You'll find pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, autumn ornamentals, locally grown fall produce, meat, eggs, honey, wines, baked goods, cheeses, craft items, textiles, pottery, and live music at farmers markets in McHenry County. Check websites or phone for dates and hours. Markets in Cary, Crystal Lake and Woodstock can be reached via Metra trains from Chicago. For routes and timetables, log on to www.metrarail.com

• Cary Farmers Market, www.carygrovefarmersmarket.com
• Crystal Lake Farmers Market, www.downtowncl.org
• Huntley Farmers Market, www.huntley.il.us
• Woodstock Farmers Market, www.woodstockfarmersmarket.or

Source: Visit McHenry County website