If you love learning about animals, there's no better place to do so than at Cosley Zoo, a small zoo located in Wheaton, Illinois. It's here where you'll also find Douglas Station, a former Chicago Northwestern train station as well as a red caboose. While animals are the main draw to this quaint zoo, the historical train attractions seem to make it all the more fascinating.
Located outside of Chicago, the AZA-accredited Cosley Zoo is part of the Wheaton Park District. Here you'll find over 50 species and 200 animals throughout its five acres of land. Also on the property is Douglas Depot, Wheaton's first train station in the mid-1800s.
The Douglas Depot is a former 1887 Chicago Northwestern train station. While it has been restored, much of its historical charm has been maintained. Today, it serves as Cosley Zoo's Wild Side Gift Shop and the starting point to exploring the small zoo.
In the zoo's early days, train tracks were laid on the property. A Burlington railroad caboose was then brought here to sit on the tracks. Visitors can explore the inside of the caboose and get a sense of what life was like on the railroad over a century ago.
While trains are always fascinating, so are animals! Twenty interactive exhibits throughout the zoo provide a way to educate the public about animals and nature.
For an additional fee, you can have a Coyote Encounter where you can go behind the scenes with a zookeeper. Learn more about these animals, how they can coexist with humans, and watch a training session. Duck feeding is also available for $2 per feeding. You can sign up for an encounter at the Wild Side Gift Shop.
Have you visited the Cosley Zoo in Wheaton? If so, what did you think? Let us know in the comments. For more information and to plan your visit, head to the Cosley Zoo website and Facebook page.
Another small zoo you may enjoy visiting is Phillips Park Zoo located within Phillips Park in the city of Aurora.
Flannels, mums, and hay rides — oh my! Autumn in Illinois is the best time of year, and one of our greatest traditions is spending an afternoon at the pumpkin patch, carefully selecting our favorite orange gourds. Growing up in the country, I was surrounded by family farms, many of which offered pumpkins for sale once fall rolled around. Add in extras like cider doughnuts, corn mazes, and outdoor attractions and we're really feeling the spirit. To help spread some autumnal joy, we've rounded up the seven best pumpkin patches in Illinois — perfect for a small-town day trip.
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1. Goebbert's Farm — South Barrington and Pingree Grove
Starting our journey in Northern Illinois, we head to Goebbert's Farm, which has locations in South Barrington and Pingree Grove. This massive outdoor fall playground is recognizable from miles away by its distinctive and beloved pumpkin smiley face silo — something I always loved seeing growing up in the area. Since 1972, the farm has delighted families with its massive pumpkin patch, and today, it has nearly everything one could dream of and more: a garden center, a bakery and fresh produce shop, tons of pumpkins, and a fall festival that runs through Halloween. The fest includes a haunted house, jumping pillow, a pumpkin-eating dinosaur, wagon rides, pig racing, gem mining, magic shows, a corn maze, and more. The festivities run from Sept. 7 to Oct. 30, 2024.
I'll always have a special place in my heart for the Maple Park favorite Kuipers Family Farm. Not only did I briefly work on the pumpkin farm myself one year, but my grandpa played Santa there during the Christmas season and pulled tractors full of eager apple and pumpkin pickers for years. Kuipers is truly a family-operated farm and is one of the best in the state. It offers fields of pumpkins, a farm store, a mountain slide, a jumping pillow, pig races, a haunted forest and scream shed, farm animals, hayrides, and so much more as part of its fall Funfarm. Plus, on the other side of the property is a huge bakery and shop with wine, apples for picking, and more. This year, events run from Sept. 1 to Nov. 2, 2024.
Next, we head to Homer Glen for another incredible world of seasonal fun at Bengston's Pumpkin Farm and Fall Festival. Part pumpkin patch-part theme park, this farm is host to 13 family-friendly rides, including a Barnstormer Wave Swinger, spinning barrels, Barnyard Dance Cow Coaster, a Gemstone and Arrowhead Mining Sluice, and many more. Of course, plenty of farm animals will be on hand for pets, plus a family selfie station, hayrides, a railroad, and a pumpkin chucker.
Just south of the Wisconsin border is the Lindberg Pumpkin Patch in Caledonia, a 7-acre U-pick patch filled with perfectly pickable pumpkins. The farm includes a barnyard, corn maze, shopping, food (make sure to get some cider doughnuts!), and great family photo ops. For many, this place has become an annual trip not to be missed! The events get underway from Sept. 12 to Oct. 31, 2024.
In Central Illinois is the family-owned Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch, a Champaign must-visit destination since 1977. The farm has pumpkins available for picking or in its shop — all perfect for carving, pie-making, or decor. On the farm, you'll also find horse-drawn wagon rides, a giant slide, a pumpkin jumping pad, a corn maze, pony rides, a kids' area, a goat petting zoo, a playground, an orchard store, a cafe, and much more. Show up between Aug. 31 and Oct. 27, 2024 for all the fun!
In Illinois' Amish country, we find The Great Pumpkin Patch, a serene farm with stunning views of the countryside. This pumpkin patch boasts about 300 varieties of pumpkins and displays more than 5,000 gorgeous mums. Pick your own pumpkins or pick your favorite from the hundreds of freshly harvested. While you're there, enjoy the mazes and wagon rides, Homestead Bakery, a sweets shop, historic buildings, live music, and thousands of beautiful flowers. The farm opens on Sept. 18 and runs through Oct. 31, 2024.
In Southern Illinois, the family-owned Pumpkin Blossom Hill offers an idyllic pumpkin patch experience with tons of gourds to choose from, plus a corn pit, slides, mechanical bull, swings, a tractor playground, a craft/antique store, and areas for picnicking families. Pro tip: Visit on a weekend day to try the kettle corn!
(Editor's Note: It is uncertain whether the event will take place in 2024 due to the unfortunate passing of Don, one of the owners. Please keep checking the above links as the season gets closer.)
Which of these best pumpkin patches in Illinois have you visited? Which are on your fall bucket list? Have another favorite pumpkin patch? Tell us in the comments! And if you're like me and want to make sure you're full on-theme for the fall, this adorable bestselling pumpkin sweatshirt from Etsy has more than 6,000 positive reviews and is the perfect way to stay comfy and cozy during autumnal adventures like these:
Illinois has its fair share of wild animals that many of us regularly encounter. When I see a rabbit, squirrel, groundhog or deer, I barely register it. Seeing an alpaca, on the other hand, is something I would not expect to run into. Alpaca Pines in Poplar Grove, IL offers open houses when you can stop by the farm and fiber mill to get up close to its herd of alpacas.
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Located just south of the Wisconsin border, Alpaca Pines is a 40-minute drive from downtown Rockford.
There is a lot of nitty-gritty business that has to go on behind the scenes to ensure that the alpacas are being well taken care of. Many of the alpacas have been rescued, so the team at Alpaca Pines makes sure every animal is comfortable interacting with people before having guests feed them.
Having honed her skills as a fiber artist, Glenn-Donley offers classes and workshops at the fiber mill.
With a colorful assortment of hand-spun yarns, the shop is a joy to walk through. Alpaca Pines also sells pillows, pottery, and imported items from Peru.
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If you call ahead and schedule a tour, be sure to wash your hands first (and after!).
During National Alpaca Farm Days in late September every year, Alpaca Pines hosts a family-friendly event where visitors can buy a cup of food and feed the animals.
This family-owned and operated farm, mill and shop really puts Illinoian craftsmanship on display.
Whether you want to see the farm, partake in a fiber arts class, or pick up some yarn, Alpaca Pines is certainly worth a visit. There are many sweet faces all around wanting to say hello!
Be sure to check Alpaca Pines' website and Facebook page to confirm open hours for tours and visits. Not too far from Alpaca Pines, you can also stop by Magic Meadows Alpacas Farm if you want to pack a day with multiple alpaca farms visits in northern Illinois. No matter how many alpacas you are hoping to see in a day, I'd suggest having some hand sanitizing spray in your pocket. It's thoughtful to use it before and after touching an animal to all creatures involved safe!
What other spots in Illinois are worth exploring for unexpected animal encounters?
