Richardson Adventure Farm: World’s Largest Corn Maze and a Whole Lot More

The corn maze laid out in a complex pattern commemorating the 50^th anniversary of The Beatles’ First Album is the world’s largest. Yet, it isn’t technically a maze because it isn’t full of dead ends. It’s more of a labyrinth that includes four games, ranging from a simple one that young kids can complete to the challenging full 10.7 miles of trails with 24 checkpoints. You can do it at night, too, to add to the adventure. As amazing as the maze is, it’s only part of the fun at Richardson Adventure Farm, packed with activities for every age.

You can climb this 50 foot tower…

…and see the corn maze below.

Or stop at the 30 foot level and zip line down the 700 foot line.

There’s a little zip for the kids, too.

And a mini rope maze with a timer for competition.

The kids can slide through a tube…

…or jump on the jumping pillow. I was tempted myself.

You can orb, roll down the hill while strapped in this giant ball if you dare.

Take in a show of the singing chickens.

Or visit the petting zoo, where bunnies have their own village and goats cross a bridge to get from one pen to the other.

You have to see the fun pig races.

See a pig race here:

And you can pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, too.

The main attraction, of course, is the giant corn maze, but there is plenty to keep you busy the entire day, or even into the evening, when the campfires begin and the farm takes on a totally different persona.

Richardson Adventure Farm is located at 9405 Richardson Road in Spring Grove, Illinois. One admission includes the corn maze and many activities. There is an extra fee for some activities. Check the Richardson Adventure Farm web site for details.

Do you have a favorite corn maze? Post in the comments below.

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(Some photography and the video by V.C. Reed, Jr.)

Pontiac Oakland Museum, Pontiac Illinois: Auto Nostalgia along Route 66

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois September 10, 2013June 2, 2022Illinois attractions, Pontiac Illinois, Pontiac Museum, Route 66, Route 66 Museum 0 Comment

What do you do with a collection of 20 restored Pontiacs and Oaklands and more memorabilia than you have room to store? Open a museum, of course. And what better place to open the Pontiac Oakland Museum than Pontiac, Illinois, a popular stop along the historic Route 66? That’s exactly what Tim Dye did when he and his wife Penny pulled up roots from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and moved their collection to Illinois.

Livingston County War Museum on Route 66 Honors Veterans

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois September 1, 2013Illinois attractions, Livingston County War Museum, Pontiac Illinois, Route 66 0 Comment

Most of the museums in Pontiac, Illinois, a Route 66 town, relate to Mother Road nostalgia, a fond memory of the past. The Livingston County War Museum, though, stirs different emotions, a mix of patriotism, sadness, and awe, because this museum focuses on the people side of war.

You’ll see some war memorabilia, like this AT-4, produced near Wilmington, Illinois, another Route 66 town, in the early 1990s.

But most of the museum is made up of stories, stories from veterans from every branch of the armed services. Mannequins throughout the museum wear uniforms donated by veterans or families of veterans. Those who were killed in action are denoted with a gold star.

The veteran’s story is attached to the uniform, and sometimes other personal memorabilia is displayed, too, like this display about Bill Voorheis, who was shot by machine gun, and though severely wounded, lived through it because the bullet that would have killed him was deflected by a religious medal that he wore around his neck. His daughter wears that medal around her neck today.

The Livingston County War Museum was the idea of Del Estes (1917-2005), WWII veteran. Most of the volunteers who staff the museum are volunteer veterans whose uniforms are displayed, like museum president Jack Murphy.

Ask volunteer Bill Hall to tell you the story of how a crab saved his life.

You can hear additional information about some of the displays through a self-guided cell phone tour.

The Livingston County War Museum is located at 321 N Main Street in Pontiac, Illinois, adjacent to the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum. Admission is free; donations accepted.

Silver Moon Winery, Lanark IL: Wine Tasting and Food Pairing

Connie Food & Drink, Illinois July 29, 2013January 8, 2018Carroll County IL, Illinois attractions, Illinois wineries, Northwest Illinois, Northwest Illinois wineries, Silver Moon Winery, Wineries in Illinois, wineries in northwest Illinois 0 Comment

Many of us casual wine drinkers know that white wine goes with chicken and fish and red wine pairs well with red meat. But unless you’re really into wine, it’s hard to know exactly which types of wine to pair with what foods, including appetizers and desserts. Do I serve a pinot grigio or chardonnay, pinot noir or merlot? At Silver Moon Winery in Lanark, Illinois, you’ll begin to learn the differences.

Blackberry Farm in Aurora IL: History Made Fun

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois July 25, 2013November 22, 2015Aurora Illinois, Blackberry Farm Aurora, Illinois attractions, Illinois tourism 2 Comments

“Kids don’t learn local history in school anymore,” says blacksmith Thomas Korthauer. Not until they come to Blackberry Farm, a popular field trip destination for area schoolchildren. Blackberry Farm gives the kids a chance to learn the history of the area, one of the reasons Korthauer loves his job as a blacksmith at the Blackberry Farm Museum. Not only does the Blackberry Farm provide a history lesson for kids and adults alike, it’s fun too, a living history museum and amusement park rolled into one.

At Blackberry Farm see an 1840s pioneer cabine where you may see candles, soap or butter being made.

Visit a one-room schoolhouse, and learn from the teacher how she was able to teach all grades at once.

Artisans may be plying their trades in the weaver’s cabin, blacksmith shop or pottery shop.

Visit the Early Streets museum with 12 storefronts, the Carriage House with 40 carriages, and the Farm Museum, displaying antique farm implements and tools.

Kids and kids-at-heart will enjoy the carousel, the miniature train and the paddle boats, and adults will wish they were kids again when they see the Adventure Playground.

During my visit to Blackberry Farm, I heard a mother ask her young son if he wanted to ride the carousel. “I want to go to the museums first,” he replied, proving that kids will enjoy the Blackberry Farm museums as much as they will the amusement rides.

Blackberry Farm , a property of the Fox Valley Park District, is located at 100 S. Barnes Road in Aurora, Illinois. Check the web site for hours and admission information.

Enjoy this post? Click the Subscribe2 button to the left to be notified whenever I add another post on MidwestWanderer.com. (Be sure to click the link when you get the e-mail asking you to confirm.) Visit the Midwest Wanderer Facebook Page, and check out my Examiner.com page, too, where I’ve had over 60 articles published.

Metropolis Illinois: Home of Superman

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois July 19, 2013June 12, 2017Illinois attractions, Metropolis, Metropolis Illinois, Southern Illinois, Superman 0 Comment

Everyone knows Metropolis is the hometown of Superman. Some may think that Metropolis is a fictitious city, but I know it’s real. I’ve been there. And signs of Superman are everywhere. A 15-foot tall bronze statue of Superman stands in Superman Square.