Something about fall weather makes us want to be outside. Maybe it’s the knowledge that winter will be upon us soon, and we need to enjoy the cooler weather and brilliant colors before the days turn short. One great way to enjoy the outdoors is to explore a corn maze. Most take about two hours to navigate, and are best done with some company. Pets are not allowed. Visit the restroom before entering a corn maze, and bring a water bottle, comfortable shoes and a sense of direction!
The Maize at Temple Hall Regional Farm Park
This corn maze is located in Loudoun County near Leesburg and is operated on weekends, Sept 25 – Nov 1, 2009, by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. It is adjacent to the Temple Hall Farm Park. The design of the maze in 2009 celebrates the 50th anniversary of the NVRPA. In addition to the Corn Maize, there is a Fall Festival with many activities such as a corn cannon, pig races, water wars, wagon and pony rides. These activities are ticketed separately and close at sunset or 6:00 pm. The Corn Maize and concessions stay open until 10:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. A great activity for a group of teens (bring flashlights!) on a Friday night – parents can drop them off, get a nice dinner in Old Town Leesburg, and return to pickup the kids before the maze closes. See the NVRPA Corn Maize website for details on admission fees, schedule, and hours of operation for the various activities.
Located in Fauquier County at The Plains, this corn maze celebrates its 10th year of operation in 2009. It is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, September through early November. Each person going through the maze carries a flag and a “survival guide” that they complete in the course of their walk. Features active play activities for children in the Barnyard of Fun, farm animals, wagon rides and a country store and, on Sundays in October, a farmers market. The Corn Maze in the Plains offers birthday party packages. Check the Corn Maze in the Plains website for details or call (540)456-7339.
Cox Farms CORNundrum Cornfield Adventure
Cox Farms is beloved by generations of northern Virginians for their Fall Festival. Located in Fairfax County in Centreville, Cox Farms is a popular destination for school field trips. The cornfield is just a small part of the huge selection of activities and entertainment in the Fall Festival, which runs daily from Sept 19-Nov 8, 2009. New in 2009 is the Fields of Fear, for teens and adults on Friday and Saturday nights for three weekends in October. Note: children under the age of 16 cannot enter or leave the Fall Festival at any time unless accompanied by an adult. See the Cox Farms website for more information, or call (703)830-4121.
