The best corn mazes near New York City

What makes the corn maze exciting? Is it that they remind us of prowling monsters or a crazed, axe-wielding Jack Nicholson? Maybe it’s that they’re so similar to crop circles (conspiracy?) and can be even scarier than haunted houses. In any case, corn mazes are one of the best things to do in the fall (albeit also a good way to get lost), and they’re popping up everywhere. Here are the best ones near New York—the cream of the crop, you might say.   

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Queens County Farm Museum

Every year, several sights are selected to host the Amazing Maize Maze, a series of themed corn mazes designed by the American Maize Company. It has graced the grasses of the Queen County Farm Museum for years—a site that dates back to 1697. And, at 47 acres, it compromises New York City’s largest tract of remaining farmland.

75-30 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, NY

Happy Day Farm

Each year, a new shape is carved into 10 acres of labyrinthine delight at this New Jersey farm. For 2016, the maze is shaped to form the seal of Rutgers University, which is currently celebrating its 250^th anniversary. 

97 Daum Road, Manapalan, NJ

Ellms Family Farm

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Saratoga Springs, and the town is celebrating in predictably pastoral style. Ellms Family Farm provides some cornier diversions, and its grounds include seven separate mazes, not all of which are actually made from corn—for example, the Hedge Maze claims to be a relaxing place and is made of winding rows of fir trees.

488 Charlton Rd, Ballston Spa, NY

Critz Farms

The downside is that Cazenovia is as cold and far away as it sounds—it’s just south of Syracuse. But the dope part is that this year, it’s teamed up with the local zoo and titled the maize maze extravaganza the Giant Zoo-Tastic Octopus Garden and rendered the labyrinth in appropriately aquatic shapes. What better animal to provide the model for a maze than one with eight distinct appendages?

3232 Rippleton Rd, Cazenovia, NY

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