Here's the scoop: A day away can make all the diiference in your well being and the happiness of your family. It is the season to play flashlight tag in the corn stalks and bob for apples or walk through a sleeping giant and test your pioneer skills. We have a list of some of the very best places to participate in your own screen free agri-adventure. 

Botanic Gardens Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Denver (mid-September - October). This year’s maze contains 8.5 acres of winding pathways in the shape of the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory with the Colorado sun rising behind it. A 15-foot tall illuminated bridge overlooks the 9-foot tall stalks of the corn maze. Thousands of pumpkins will be ripe for the picking from the pumpkin patch in October. Best Part: Anytime of year walk along Chatfield’s scenic trails and enjoy the wildlife observation area. Visit barnyard for a rearding farm animal encounter. There are always interesting activities for chilren. Bonus Points: The site is an affiliate of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and features 750 acres of plants, wildlife, grasslands and protected wetlands. (Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road in Littleton, CO 80128. (720) 865-3585 or www.botanicgardens.org).

Fritzler Maze and Sleeping Giant in LaSalle, Colorado (mid-September - October). Located just seven miles south of Greeley, this spot offers easy access from anywhere across Colorado's Front Range. Visitors can enjoy Scream Acres, a haunted maze with frights and fun just in time for Halloween. Along with the seasonal scare-fest there’s a giant pumpkin patch, a mini-train, a corn cannon, corn box, goat walk, pedal go-karts, a haunted castle, fire pits, hovercrafts. Best Part: Probably the most fun is the world’s largest walk-through inflatable attraction – the Creature. Visitors are encouraged to explore the inner workings of the reclining giant monster body by day. At night the tour takes on a slightly scary tone with actors and special effects. (Fritzeler Maze 20861 State Hwy. 85, LaSalle, CO 80645. Maze Hotline (970) 737-2129 or www.fritzlermaze.com)

 

Lattin Farms Fall Festival  in Fallon, Nevada (October). Visitors will find themselves lost in space and surrounded by harvest food and family activities created to enjoy the change of seasons. From a giant pumpkin contest to the pumpkin tower lighting, and moonlight mazes, fun is the whole idea. The unique pumpkin tower holds tiers of pumpkins that will light up the October night skies. Best Part: Critterville part of the farm complex includes a goat walk, chicken haven and bunnyille. Kids may feed the pygmy goats hens, roosters, and turkeys as well as the bunnies. Here's the deal! A $2 coupon off adult admission is available on the website. (Lattin Farms, 1955 McLean Road, Fallon. (775) 867-3750, 866 NEVMAZE (638-6293) or www.lattinfarms.com)

The Corn Maize at Staker Farms near Ogden, Utah. New this year, the Staker Farms cornfield and pumpkin family adventure looks quite promising. It features three unique mazes with family-friendly versions as well as a haunted version with live creatures and motion-activated props to thrill older kids. For tykes there’s a magic pumpkin patch, barrel train ride, giant hay stack slides, little monster’s corral, and a bouncy house to be enjoyed. Best Part: Enjoy an old-fashioned wagon ride pulled by draft horses, Itchy and Scratchy, and a nine-foot tall, 70-foot long hanging gourd tunnel. Bonus Points: Use a GPS to pinpoint your real-time location within the maze or take part in trivia questions that, when answered correctly, will help participants navigate the maze.  (The Corn Maize 2801 South 3500 West Ogden, Utah 84401 or www.thecornmaize.com)

American West Heritage Fall Harvest Festival in Wellsville, Utah  (late-September - October). Navigate Cache Valley's original corn maze - a maze within a maze or wander a three-story maze with your little ones.  Celebrate the harvest with at Old Time Carnival with old- fashioned games for all ages. Harvest activities include threshing with the old machinery, corn shelling, and making corn cob darts. See Dr. Quaquenbusch’s Medicine Show. At the pioneer site, test your skills at the pioneer games and try a Wild West Buffalo Chip Toss; watch Mountain Men and Shoshone preparing for winter. It's always a great time listening to talented fiddlers of all ages compete in the Old Time Heritage Fiddle Contest.  Best Part: See Dr. Quaquenbusch’s Medicine Show. (American West Heritage Center 4025 South Hwy. 89-91 Wellsville, UT 84339. (435) 245-6050, toll-free (800) 225-FEST (3378) or www.awhc.org)

For more great corn mazes and agri-adventure locations go to our aMAZEing Fun folder. Our next round up will inlcude  family friendly winter celebrations and Santa Trains. We are building the list right now and would love to have your feedback. So just "Tell Mom!" please.