The Midwest Is Home To The World's Pumpkin Capital, Where Your Dream Fall Getaway Awaits

It's that time of year again. Pumpkin spice lattes are back on the menu, pumpkin pies are in the oven, and grocery store shelves are stacked with canned pumpkin. But have you ever stopped to wonder where all of that pumpkin comes from? Chances are it originates in the Pumpkin Capital of the World, aka Morton, Illinois, responsible for producing 85% of the world's canned pumpkin.

It should come as no surprise that Morton comes alive in the fall. One of the most anticipated events of the season is the Morton Pumpkin Festival in mid-September. Visitors can wander through the pumpkin patch, take part in a pumpkin pie eating contest, enjoy carnival rides, and watch festive parades. If you can't make it to the festival, fall fun continues throughout the season in Morton, with pumpkin patches, farms selling local produce, and much more. And, of course, the foliage bursts into color, with reds, golds, and oranges decorating the trees. Morton is the perfect place for a fall getaway.  

Families visiting Morton won't want to miss Roth Pumpkin Patch, where hayrack rides, friendly farm animals, and a playground full of giant pillows and slides promise to keep the kids entertained for hours. Ackermann Family Farms also offers a patch full of pumpkins, as well as a huge corn maze and a gift shop full of local fall products. More adult autumn-themed events are available at Mackinaw Valley Vineyard. This year, you can make a mosaic glass pumpkin, decorate Halloween cookies, and attend several murder mystery dinners, all while sipping on the vineyard's delicious wines and enjoying local snacks.

The nearby town of Peoria offers great leaf-peeping opportunities, from the scenic lookouts on Fon du Lac Drive, where the foliage reflects off the water, to the Farmdale Reservoir, where 15 miles of trails invite visitors to explore. If you're not sure when to go, check out the handy fall foliage prediction map. A little further afield in Clinton, Illinois, you'll find the Apple 'n Pork Festival, which happens annually on the last weekend in September. The festival is stuffed with stalls selling — you guessed it — apple and pork, but there's also a flea market, tours of a Victorian-era mansion, and demonstrations by local artisans.

There's more to do around Morton than just admire its bountiful pumpkin harvest. A short drive away in Peoria, the Riverfront Museum has an ever-changing schedule of eclectic exhibits, ranging from contemporary art to insects and even the story of America's first car company. The Peoria Zoo also gets into the Halloween spirit, offering activities like spooky walks and trick-or-treating adventures.

Back in Morton, if you're there around Halloween, don't miss the trick-or-treating on Main Street or visit the lively Halloween market. The town is also packed with fall food and drinks to savor. Stop by Four30 Scones to pick up some delicious pumpkin scones, or head by Sucre, where pumpkin soft serve awaits. Aunt Ginny's Cafe embraces the season with pumpkin pancakes, while Eli's Coffee Shop has its own take on pumpkin spice lattes and offers apple cider, s'mores, and more. When you're done enjoying Morton, why not head up to Chicago to step into one of your favorite fall movies, "When Harry Met Sally."