This Wisconsin Park Turns Into A Spooky Fall Wonderland Of Pumpkins, And Families Drive Hours Just To See It

Every fall, one farm grandma’s paintbrush turns ordinary pumpkins into storybook, movie, and TV characters. The displays started with just a few faces. Now dozens of painted pumpkin characters line up, and anyone can stroll past them for free.

That tradition began with a couple selling vegetables from a simple roadside table back in 1975. Today the same family still runs the show. I appreciate that the heart of the place never got swapped out for something flashy.

The fun goes way beyond painted gourds. There are more than 40 kinds of pumpkins, a six-acre corn maze, and a haunted forest run by a certain doctor with a destructive name. Families roll in from all over Wisconsin and Illinois.

With so much happening in one place, even a quick pumpkin-shopping trip can turn into an entire afternoon of fall fun. And those painted pumpkin faces might just be the part everyone remembers most.

Painted Pumpkins Steal The Show Before You Even Buy A Ticket

Rosemary Smith started something special with a paintbrush and a few pumpkins. At Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm, that small idea grew into dozens of hand-painted characters.

The scenes pull from storybooks, films, and television shows. Kids point, parents guess the characters, and everyone ends up taking way too many photos.

Here’s the best part for your wallet. Viewing the painted pumpkin displays is free every day of the fall season. That makes this a smart first stop for any visit. You can wander the displays, get a feel for the farm, and decide what else you want to do.

The paintings change with the times, so the lineup stays fresh. Families who return year after year get to spot new favorites alongside old classics. Each pumpkin takes real patience and skill. These aren’t quick doodles with a marker, and the detail shows from a distance.

Give younger kids a little challenge while you walk. Ask them to name every character they recognize before reaching the end. Bring a phone with plenty of battery. Between the painted faces and the colorful backdrops, your camera roll is about to fill up fast.

Forty Varieties Means Your Porch Pumpkin Hunt Just Got Harder

More than 40 varieties of pumpkins and gourds are available to choose from here. Good luck choosing just one. Classic orange round ones are easy to find. But you’ll also spot shapes, colors, and textures that look nothing like the standard jack-o’-lantern.

This variety makes decorating a lot more fun. A mix of tall, squat, bumpy, and smooth pumpkins on your steps looks far more interesting than a matching row. Small kids love finding pumpkins nearly twice their size. They also love tiny gourds that fit right in their hands.

Plan ahead before heading out to the patch. Bring a wagon idea, wear shoes that can handle dirt, and think about how much trunk space you actually have.

Carving plans matter too. Some pumpkins work better for carving, while bumpy or oddly shaped ones shine as display pieces. Let everyone in the family pick one favorite. It keeps arguments short and gives each person a pumpkin with their own personality.

Picking pumpkins in Wisconsin during October feels like a rite of passage. Doing it with 40-plus options just makes the tradition a little more colorful.

Six Acres Of Corn Will Test Your Sense Of Direction

Six acres. That’s how much corn stands between you and the exit of this maze. The corn maze sits inside the paid activity area. It’s one of the biggest draws for families who want a little adventure with their pumpkins.

Mazes bring out everyone’s competitive side. Someone always insists they know the way, and someone else is usually right instead.

Try splitting into teams for extra fun. Meet at the end and see which group made fewer wrong turns. A few simple tips help a lot. Pick a meeting spot before you start, and keep little ones within sight on the twisting paths.

Weather plays a part too. After rain, paths can get muddy, so boots or older sneakers are a wise choice. Timing your visit matters as well. The activity area opens at 4 PM on weekdays, so weekend mornings give you more daylight for wandering.

There’s also a straw maze for smaller explorers. It’s a great warm-up before tackling the big one, or a safe option for toddlers. Either way, getting a little lost is half the fun.

Tire Mountains And Bounce Pads Turn Kids Into Tiny Energy Tornadoes

Climbing walls made of tires sound like something a farmer invented on a rainy afternoon. Kids absolutely love them. The play areas pack in a lot. There’s tire mountain, giant bounce pads, pedal carts, a bubble table, and a giant tube play area.

Keep going and you’ll find a tube swing and a wooden tractor play structure. Two rainbow play sets come with sand piles, plus a big sand toy hill. There’s even a basketball hoop for anyone who wants to show off. Parents included, of course.

The bubble table is a sneaky favorite. Huge bubbles floating across the farm make even grumpy kids crack a smile. Dress kids in clothes that can get dirty. Between sand, tires, and running around, nobody stays spotless for long.

Bring a change of socks for the car ride home. Sand has a way of sneaking into every shoe. Plan breaks between activities so energy lasts. Snack stops help keep everyone happy until the end. By the time you leave, expect a very quiet car. That’s the sign of a successful farm day.

Goats, Hayrides, And A Farm Day That Feels Old-School

Nothing says fall like bouncing along on a wagon full of hay. The hayrides here deliver that classic feeling. Little riders get a slow, scenic look around the farm. Grown-ups get a chance to sit down, which is honestly a win.

Then there’s the petting zoo. Farm animals give kids a hands-on moment that screens just can’t match. The goat pen is a popular photo spot too. Goats seem to know they’re the stars of the show.

Hand-washing after animal visits is a smart habit. It’s an easy step that keeps the fun going without any worries. Teach kids to be gentle and calm around the animals. Slow movements help everyone, furry or not, stay relaxed.

These experiences feel refreshingly simple. There’s no fancy tech, just fresh air, hay, and curious animals.

Families from big cities especially enjoy this side of the farm. Many kids rarely see goats up close, so it becomes a highlight. Pair a hayride with an animal visit early in your trip. Kids get excited right away, and you’ll have time for everything else after.

Brave Souls Can Wander Into Dr. Destruction’s Haunted Forest

Dr. Destruction doesn’t sound like someone who hands out lollipops. His haunted forest is the spooky side of this cheerful farm. The farm’s haunted attraction costs an extra fee. It’s separate from general admission, so plan your budget accordingly.

This attraction gives older kids and teens their own thrill. While little ones love bounce pads, bigger kids often want screams. Talk with your crew before going in. Not every child enjoys scares, and that’s perfectly fine.

Visiting after dark adds to the mood. Friday and Saturday hours run until 9 PM, giving plenty of time after sunset. Wear comfortable shoes you can move quickly in. You might want to hurry past a few corners.

It’s a fun way to end a farm day. Start with pumpkins in daylight, then finish with goosebumps under the stars.

Save Room, Because The Country Store Has Frosted Cookies Waiting

Frosted cookies are the stuff of legend at this farm. The Country Store sells them, and they disappear fast. The store opened in 1978, growing out of that original roadside table. Today it’s stocked with homemade pies, apple cider donuts, local honey, and jams.

You’ll also find farm-fresh eggs and fresh produce. In summer, homegrown sweet corn joins the lineup. Seasonal treats and gourmet goodies fill the shelves too. It’s easy to walk in for one thing and leave with five.

Store hours run 8 AM to 8 PM Sunday through Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays, it stays open until 9 PM. That schedule is handy for weekday visitors. You can shop all day, even before the activity area opens at 4 PM.

The JS Coffee Truck rolls in on Saturdays and Sundays. Food concessions on the farm also help with hungry moments. Grab a pie for home before leaving. Your future self, sitting on the couch tonight, will be grateful. Apple cider donuts make an excellent car snack too.

Fifty Years Of One Family Keeping The Fall Magic Going

In 1975, Jerry and Rosemary Smith set up a simple roadside table. They sold homegrown vegetables to anyone passing by. That table grew into the farm families know today. In 2025, Kenosha County celebrated the farm’s 50th anniversary with an official proclamation.

The family tie never broke. Joe and Amy Smith bought the farm in 2013 and continued its traditions. Their daughter, Lauren Smith, came back in 2023. She helps manage the farm and carry on the family traditions.

Many Smith family members still pitch in. It truly remains a homegrown operation.

That history adds meaning to every visit. When you buy a pumpkin here, you’re supporting a family that’s been at it for decades.

Some families who visit today came as kids themselves. Now they bring their own children, keeping a tradition going on both sides.

I love that the painted pumpkins still honor Rosemary’s original idea. It’s a sweet connection between past and present. Not many fall attractions can claim this kind of story. It gives Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm real roots.

Smart Planning Makes The Drive Totally Worth It

Sitting between Milwaukee and Chicago gives this farm a sweet location. Families from Wisconsin and Illinois can reach it for an easy day trip.

You’ll find Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm at 7150 18th St, Kenosha, WI 53144. The 2026 fall season runs from September 12th to November 1st. Activity area hours change by day. Weekdays open at 4 PM, while Saturdays and Sundays start at 10 AM.

Buying tickets online usually saves money compared to the gate. Weekday tickets cost less than weekend ones, and kids two and under are typically free. Season passes make sense for frequent visitors. A Family 4-Pack Bundle also includes four cookies, which feels like a bonus.

Don’t skip the photo spots. Look for the Giant Pumpkin Tower, a firetruck, and a Musical Garden. Weekend visits give you the most daylight. Weekday evenings work well for shorter trips after school.

Dress in layers, since Wisconsin fall weather loves surprises. A sunny afternoon can turn chilly fast. With painted pumpkins, cookies, and corn, this farm earns its spot on any fall list.