By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Corn, straw bale and sunflower mazes offer a version of English hedge mazes that can be altered annually with new designs. Farm visitors can return year after year expecting something new. Why not try a few farm mazes this fall?
• Long Acre Farms in Macedon has plenty to do to spend an entire day. Long Acre Farms created the first Amazing Maize Maze in New York and still operates it as the state’s longest running corn maze. The 5-acre maze design differs annually. In addition, the farm has a smaller kid’s corn maze, Back 40 area for children, wagon rides, cow train rides, gemstone panning, and farm store. Food offerings include ice cream, doughnuts, cider, wood fired pizza and typical “snack shop” fare. For adults 21-plus, the adjacent JD Wine Cellars is open for tastings and purchase.
• The Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence grows a 5-acre corn maze each year, plus there’s a hay maze, zombie paintball train, jumping pillow, amusement rides, pedal cars, giant slide, kiddie train, gem panning, apple and pumpkin cannons, hayride, crafts, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, haunted house, Old West shooting gallery, bar and farm café and store. The farm hosts numerous events so check the website for details.
• Zarpentine Farms in Hilton has operated since the 1830s. In addition to the annual corn maze, stop in to stock up on apples, cider, local farm goods and other fall goodies. The farm bakery includes a variety of pies, apple fritters, and fry cakes. The farm also hosts all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts.
• Critz Farms in Cazenovia offers a sunflower labyrinth and a corn maze and operates a tap room with beer and hard cider. Pick your own apples and pumpkins, explore the playgrounds, go for a wagon ride, meet farm animals, take a farm tour, peruse the gift shop, or play cornhole, board games, ping pong, or volleyball. The farm offers beer yoga, hiking trails, and more. The 350-acre, family-owned farm has won a New York State Agritourism Business of the Year Award.
• Pick’n Patch & Corn Maze in Stanley boasts an eight-acre corn maze, along with a wooden maze, bouncing pillow, lawn games, play equipment, farm animals, apple blaster, low ropes course, kiddie train, corn kernel “beach,” carnival style games, story time and more. Stop by the market for local goods, pumpkins and gourds. Grab a snack or lunch at the snack shop to make a day of it.
• Strawberry Fields in Auburn hosts an annual sunflower maze. Surrounded by hundreds of bright sunflowers is a great photo opportunity, so take time to snap a few photos. The farm also allows maze visitors to pick blooms. Be sure to browse the gift shop for unique artisan items made by local craftspeople. The shop also sells local value-added farm goods and cut flowers, as Strawberry Fields is also a florist shop.