Royal Oak Farm

The Midwest offers much more than just chilly weather and friendly faces, picturesque apple orchards and pumpkin patches abound, even in the Chicago area.  Apple picking and pumpkin gathering season is at it’s peak now.  Take advantage of  the breezy temps and golden foliage and check out some of the areas best orchards and pumpkin patches. Read More »

County Line Orchard

Grab some fall family fun with a day of apple picking at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana. Apple picking is a Midwest fall tradition, with orchards offering sweet delights in Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana. For Chicago families like mine, County Line Orchard in charming Hobart, Indiana, supplies the closest orchard, at about a 40 minute drive from the city. What I love most about County Line is that it’s located in a small farming community that draws families from both Indiana and Illinois. Pick up trucks, corn fields and livestock surround the area for a quick country escape for city slickers.

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You thought the current maze of healthcare legislation was bad? Or the Washington twists and turns in The Lost Symbol? They’ve got nothing on the Barack Obama corn maze at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, Connecticut.

Following a child through the corn maze may be your best bet.

Here in New England, visiting apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes are all a part of Fall. In fact, if you’re vacationing in New England during the season and you’re not doing one of these things, why are you here? Just for leaf peeping? C’mon, get out of the car and actually do something!

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