Just a short trip south of town at 5641 Union Road, Rutland Farms is transforming its 2,100 acres of land into a beautiful autumnal scene for seasonal festivities.
From Sept. through Nov., this local favorite offers a much-needed antidote to academic burnout. This fall, consider this an opportunity to create the special, offcampus memories that can define your college experience.
Autumn has arrived, and with it, the relentless grind of midterm season. While the average studentâs schedule consists of late nights spent studying and early mornings of class, many forget how important taking breaks is when it comes to a studentâs mental health.
What if the most important assignment right now isnât on your syllabus? Itâs the act of pressing pause-of trading the fluorescent lights for the golden hour sun and the study groups for making memories with your closest friends.
Thankfully, the perfect escape is closer than you may think. Kick off your adventure in Rutland Farmsâ most famous feature: the corn maze. This year, theyâve outdone themselves with an astounding 35-acre labyrinth, officially the largest in the South!
From Sept. 29 to Nov. 14, you and your friends can spend an afternoon navigating the intricate paths, this year designed as a beautiful memorial to locally loved farmer and outdoorsman Broc Moore, featuring a deer and an inscription reading âPsalms 42:1.â Itâs a fun challenge thatâs perfect for a group outing!
The activities, however, donât set with the sun! If youâre not scared of the dark, the Flashlight Maze on select Friday and Saturday nights in Oct. might be for you!
These special evenings, running until 10 p.m., amplify the fun with a live music Beer Garden, a beautifully lit pumpkin patch for photos, cornhole games, and a cozy bonfire for making sâmores. Itâs the perfect group hangout or a uniquely fun date night. The maze will also be open for a special Halloween night session from sundown to 9 p.m.
Whatâs a fall outing without a pumpkin? Move from the maze to the vibrant pumpkin patch, where you can wander through the fields to find the vessel for your dorm roomâs decorative jack-o-lantern or the ideal prop for a beautiful autumn photoshoot with your friends.
On Saturdays, the farm transforms into a full-blown fall festival. On these days, you can commemorate the season with a relaxing hayride, indulge in the simple joy of a bounce house, or treat yourself to some of their famous homemade ice cream.
While these festivals are a fantastic chance to spend quality time with younger siblings or the children you babysit, the playful, festive atmosphere is a welcome change of pace for students, too.
No farm visit is complete without saying hello to the residents. Rutland Farmsâ petting zoo is a highlight, home to a delightful array of cows, goats, pigs, bunnies, chickens, tortoises, and even peacocks! The animals are famously friendly, and you can even feed themâa terrific way to de-stress after a long week of classes.
A short walk away from the petting zoo is the farmâs playground, open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. While its slides and rock walls especially appeal to younger visitors, thereâs no age limit on fun. Feel free to claim the swing set with your friends for a carefree
momentâno judgement! Itâs the perfect place to relax on a picnic bench and simply enjoy the outdoors.
Cap off your visit at the Rutland Farms Market; this is your chance to taste the season! Refresh with a
homemade lemonade or smoothie from the cafe, or browse the shelves packed with locally grown produce, honey, and wine.
Donât leave without trying out some of their community-famous cheese straws! The market also offers unique finds like grilling equipment, candles, and fresh flowersâperfect for picking up a gift or a treat for yourself.
Looking for a unique event for your club, campus organization, Bible study, or even just a large group of friends? Rutland Farms offers Fellowship Nights on select Wednesdays in Oct., where groups can reserve access to the corn maze, petting zoo, and pavilion. Itâs a fantastic way to build community off campus.
As midterm pressures accumulate and the study room walls start to close in, remember the remedy to your
troubles is just down the road.
An afternoon spent at Rutland Farms is an investment in your well-beingâa chance to reset, recharge, and
return to your studies with a clearer head and a brighter spirit.
So, this season, commit to making memories that extend beyond the classroom. Your brain (and your friends) will thank you.
For more information on booking for college groups, you can reach out to the farm directly through their Facebook page.