While we recommend bringing vases and scissors with you, don't worry if you forget to bring them along—most farms here have paper towels with water and plastic bags for transport (as well as scissors and vases to purchase).

Sunflower Farms near Chicago for Flower Picking

1. Heap’s Giant Pumpkin Farm – Minooka, Illinois

Heap’s Giant Pumpkin Farm is located in Minooka, about 50 minutes from Chicago. The u-pick flower season here runs from late August through early September. Opening day may vary depending on the weather and blooms.

With admission, guests get one bloom included for free or pay per bloom. You can also purchase 1/2 dozen in a bucket. There is also an option for a decorative pail that includes all the flowers you can fit inside. In addition to sunflowers, there are fields with cosmos, zinnias, and wildflowers. Bring your own vases and scissors. Visit the corn maze and playgrounds, for free, with admission.

Heap’s Pumpkin Farm has more than pumpkins!

2. Tom’s Farm Market – Huntley, Illinois

Tom’s Farm Market is located in Huntley, about 50 minutes from Chicago. Tom’s sunflower maze and picking fields are set to open from mid-July through September, but be sure to check the website for the latest information. In addition to the cutting fields, there's a 4-acre sunflower maze, with tons of fun photo opportunities. Leave time to play in the child’s play area, which is included with admission. Purchase admission online or at the door, and kids under 3 are free. The cutting field is free to enter and you can pay per bloom for whatever you pick. 

Richardson Adventure Farm is picture-perfect.

3. Richardson Adventure Farm – Spring Grove, Illinois

Richardson Adventure Farm is located in Spring Grove, about an hour from Chicago, where a brand new sunflower field and maze are opening this summer. Check the website for the latest information on the 2023 Sunflower Festival dates, which will be determined by when the flowers are in full bloom. In addition to the sunflowers, be sure to check out the ride-on train, petting zoo, farm animals, and play structures—and come back for the corn maze in the fall. Richardson Adventure Farm is also pet-friendly, so bring the family fur baby.

U-pick season starts in September at County Line Orchard.

Indiana Sunflower Farms near Chicago for Flower Picking

4. County Line Orchard – Hobart, Indiana

County Line Orchard is located in Hobart, about an hour from Chicago. County Line Orchard opens for the u-pick sunflower season in early September. There are acres of traditional and unique sunflowers in full bloom towards the middle of September. Pick your own in the fields, or purchase a bouquet that’s already picked and arranged in the barn (for those of us who flunked Flower Arranging 101!). Admission is $1 and you can pay per bloom or for bunches. 

Harvest Tyme Pumpkin Patch has sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias, and wildflowers.

5. Harvest Tyme Pumpkin Patch – Lowell, Indiana

Harvest Tyme Pumpkin Patch is located in Lowell, about an hour and a half from Chicago. The u-pick flower season runs from the end of July through early September. Not only does the farm have a wide range of sunflowers, but there are also loads of other flowers to choose from, including cosmos, zinnias, and wildflowers. Harvest Tyme recommends bringing your own scissors and vases to put flowers in. (But Mason jars are available for purchase if you forget.) Admission and flowers are purchased separately.

 Wander through Thompson Strawberry Farm's fields. Photo by the author

Wisconsin Sunflower Farms near Chicago for Flower Picking

6. Thompson Strawberry Farm – Bristol, Wisconsin

Thompson Strawberry Farm is located in Bristol, about an hour from Chicago. Admission includes 6 sunflower blooms and you can also pay for additional flower dozens. There are also cosmos, multi-colored sunflowers, and wildflowers available for picking. The sunflower season at Thompson runs mid-July through early October. Depending on availability, strawberries, raspberries, and pumpkins may also be ripe for the picking. Tip: be sure to bring vases and scissors for cutting and transportation. 

Flowers for miles at Lannon Sunflower Farm

7. Lannon Sunflower Farm - Lannon, Wisconsin

Lannon Sunflower Farm is located north of Milwaukee, about two hours from Chicago. Weather permitting, the u-pick season at Lannon’s runs from late July through September. Admission to the farm must be paid in cash per vehicle. This gets a family into the farm as well as 12 sunflower blooms, and additional flowers may be purchased. There are a wide variety of sunflower colors in addition to other wildflowers available. Be sure to check out the wildflower butterfly gardens from July through September. Don't forget to bring a container to bring home the flowers (non-drinkable water is available to fill vases) and scissors for flower clipping (though some are available at the farm if you forget!).

Spend a beautiful day in the fields at Von Bergen’s Country Market.

Sunflower Mazes and Fields near Chicago (No U-Pick)

8. Von Bergen’s Country Market – Hebron, Illinois

Von Bergen’s Country Market is located in Hebron, about an hour from Chicago. From early July through September, the flowers are in full bloom for a walk through the beautiful sunflower maze. There are 30 acres of sunny flowers to walk through and snap photos in. Check out the farm stand and country market after the maze and come hungry for lunch as the market often partners with local food trucks on weekends for more great treats.

Meet the monarchs in the fields at M & D Farms And Garden Center.

9. M & D Farms And Garden Center – Homer Glen, Illinois

M&D Farms and Garden Center is located in Homer Glen, about 45 minutes from Chicago. The sunflower field opens in August, and while this field isn’t for picking, families can walk through the sunflower maze for photos and fun. Leashed pets are also allowed at M&D Farms. The farm specializes in fall plants, flower beds, hanging planters, fruits, and veggies, so there’s a lot of great stuff to shop for after a trip through the sunflower field!

Unless noted, photos courtesy of the farms