There are several potential coronavirus risks if you partake in traditional fall activities this year due to the pandemic, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Trick-or-treating, crowded parties, and indoor haunted houses are activities with the highest risk for COVID-19 transmission. But, with the practice of proper social distancing and every single individual wearing a mask, there are still plenty of Indiana fields with pumpkins that need picking and corn mazes to get lost in.
LIST: Fall festivals still happening in Indianapolis, central Indiana
Here is a list of local pumpkin patches and mazes that have toned down their typical fall affairs and instituted COVID-19 safety plans.
Adrian Orchards
Indianapolis, South Side
Adrian Orchards won't be having their annual Harvest Fest this year but it will still be open for the fall season.
The historical orchard offers fresh cider, a you-pick pumpkin patch, and apples.
You can learn more about Adrian Orchards' COVID-19 safety precautions on its Facebook page, and its "Crossroads of America's finest" apples, peaches, and cider on its website.
Conner Prairie
Fishers
Conner Prairie's 22,160-foot corn maze is one of the best in the country.
This year's corn maze is a tribute to the 200th anniversary of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, which will feature three different paths for people of all ages.
Click here to learn more about the corn maze, and click here for Conner Prairie's COVID-19 safety precautions.
Exploration Acres
Lafayette
Although this Exploration Acres is technically not in central Indiana, its corn maze and pumpkin patch may just be worth a nice fall drive.
If you're up for a 60-mile trip, get excited about an 18-acre maze, 11-acre pick-your-own pumpkin patch and fire pit rentals.
Exploration Acres requires masks and social distancing at this time, learn more about it here.
Fishers AgriPark
Fishers
There are plenty of fall photo opportunities at Fishers' new AgriPark that opened in July.
The 33-acre urban farm includes a three-acre produce garden, five acres for animals home to the park, event space, pumpkin patches, a sunflower field, and a corn maze.
To ensure visitors comply with COVID-19 precautions, the park will have several one-way entrances and exits, sanitizer stations, and a mask requirement. Learn more here.
Kelsay Farms
Whiteland
A $10 admission fee at Kelsay Farms, just south of Indianapolis, gets you into every activity you can think possible — which is a lot at this Hoosier favorite.
Learn more about the six-generation crop farm on the website at kelsayfarms.com.
Piney Acres Farms
Fortville
Just north of Indianapolis is the farm you want to take kids for fall fun. Piney Acres Farm has both educational and entertainment activities that includes a corn maze, barnyard animals, pumpkin picking, a kids zone and so much more.
Piney's is also a popular photography destination and does a photo contest on its Facebook page.
You can find more details here about Piney's COVID-19 safety precautions and everything they have to offer this year.
Rowdies Pumpkin Patch
Downtown Indianapolis
For one day only the Indianapolis Indians Victory Field will turn into a pumpkin patch on October 24.
Kids can pick out their pumpkin and do several other activities with Rowdie, the baseball team's mascot.
Tickets are available in one-hour slots: Noon, 1 p.m.. 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. Admission to the event is $5 per person and free for children under two. All ticket proceeds benefit Indianapolis Indians Charities.
Children age 14 and under can enter the field to select one pumpkin per child, with 1,000 pumpkins available.
Click here to learn more about the socially-distant fun.
Russell Farms
Noblesville
Talk about a place with a plan! Russell Farms' COVID-19 safety plan is extensive, so you can rest assured you and your family will be at a very low-risk for transmission.
This year, Russell Farms is offering reservation-only hayrides and bonfires, several varieties of pumpkin to pick, two corn mazes and a storefront. And those looking for a real challenge can check out their 10-acre scavenger hunt maze.
Visit russellfarms.com to learn more.
Waterman's Family Farm
Greenwood & Indianapolis
The Waterman's Family Farm has two centrally-located farms with all of the fun fall activities.
The Raymond Street location in Indianapolis is the only one with a pumpkin-chomping dinosaur. However, both the Indy and Greenwood locations have pumpkin pie pumpkins and those best suited to carve.
Both of Waterman's farms also have a locally-grown produce store where all visitors can buy a variety of items.
Just like Russell Farms, Waterman's Family Farm has extensive COVID-19 safety measures laid out for all guests and activities on its website.
