Football season is literally days away. You can get pumpkin spice lattes at pretty much every coffee shop. It looks like fall might officially be upon us.

If you're in the Midwest there's one big thing everyone plans for at least one weekend a year, even if that means missing some college football, is a trip to the local pumpkin patch.

We're in luck here in Illinois because Illinois produces more pumpkins than any other state in the country. And it's by a pretty decent margin. So wherever you are, there's probably a pumpkin patch within a short drive from you.

Here are 10 of the better ones in the state. Now go and enjoy Fall.

1. Bengton's Pumpkin Farm - Homer Glen, Illinois

Bengston's Pumpkin Farm/Facebook
Bengston's Pumpkin Farm/Facebook
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As you can see, this pumpkin patch in the southwest suburbs of Illinois opens in about a month. There's a lot more to do than just walk through a pumpkin patch. Pony rides, camel rides, and gemstone hunting are all available at Bengton's.

2. Pumpkin Blossom Hill - Red Bud, Illinois

Pumpkin Blossom Hill/Facebook
Pumpkin Blossom Hill/Facebook
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Located in the "pregnant" part of Illinois, you know the little bulge the extends out with the Mississippi River. You'll get the full "rural" experience in this little town. Admission to Pumpkin Blossom Hill is free.

3. Marlow's Pumpkin Patch - Opdyke, Illinois

Marlow's Pumpkin Patch/Facebook
Marlow's Pumpkin Patch/Facebook
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You have to travel pretty far south to visit Marlow's. Opdyke, Illinois is just about 30 minutes north of Carbondale. If you do make it all the south, make sure you try out their corn maze or haunted house.

4. The Great Pumpkin Patch - Arthur, Illinois

The Great Pumpkin Patch/Facebook
The Great Pumpkin Patch/Facebook
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Located in the heart of Illinois, and Illinois Amish country, The Great Pumpkin Patch will amaze and entertain you and your family.

5. Curtis Orchard and Pumpkin Patch - Champaign, Illinois

Curtis Orchard and Pumpkin Patch/Facebook
Curtis Orchard and Pumpkin Patch/Facebook
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Located in the same town as the University of Illinois, Curtis' Orchard makes a great day trip that's a little more fun than your usual pumpkin patch. Make sure you save room to eat lunch at the Flying Monkey Cafe.

6. Goebbert's Farm - Barrington, IL

Goebbert's Farm/Facebook
Goebbert's Farm/Facebook
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Anyone that's taken I-90 east into Chicago has seen the big silo with the Jack-o-lantern on top of it to the north right around Randall Road. That's Goebbert's Farm and one of the best pumpkin patches/orchards in the area. Don't miss this one if you're within driving distance.

7. Heap's Giant Pumpkin Farm - Minooka, IL

Heap's Giant Pumpkin Farm/Facebook
Heap's Giant Pumpkin Farm/Facebook
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Heap's is all about the big pumpkins, hence their name, Giant Pumpkin Farm. This pumpkin patch in the far southern suburbs of Chicago has more than 25-acres worth of pumpkins that you can go through to find the perfect one for your home.

8. Kuipers Family Farm - Maple Park, IL

Kuipers Family Farm/Facebook
Kuipers Family Farm/Facebook
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Located near Dekalb in northern Illinois, Kuipers Family Farm will scratch any pumpkin patch itch. They also have corn mazes, hayrides, and more for the perfect family outing.

9. Kroll's Fall Harvest Farm - Waukegan, IL

Kroll's Fall Harvest Farm/Facebook
Kroll's Fall Harvest Farm/Facebook
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Kroll's Fall Harvest Farm is in Waukegan, about as far north from Chicago that you can go and still classify yourself as being in a suburb of Chicago. Kroll's offers many different varieties of pumpkins as well as a corn maze and hayrides.

10. The Pumpkin Patch - Caledonia, IL

The Pumpkin Patch/Facebook
The Pumpkin Patch/Facebook
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Familiar to anyone that grew up in the Rockford area, I'm pretty sure it was law that you had to take a field trip there in second grade. The Pumpkin Patch is still going strong. They have a huge corn maze and a petting zoo. The kids will love this trip as much as you did 25 years ago.

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