Corn mazes have become agritourism destinations across the country, and each fall Upstate New York farms draw thousands of visitors who try to navigate through elaborately cut cornfields.
Because the designs often change from year to year, it's impossible to scientifically rank Upstate's top 10 mazes.
But here's 10, presented in random order, that consistently attract lots of visitors and generate a buzz.
Before you get in the car, it's a good idea to call the farms or visit their websites to check on hours and possible weather-related closures. Some of the farms are cash-only businesses.
Long Acre Farms, 1342 Eddy Road, Macedon, N.Y. (east of Rochester)
What makes it good: The farm bills itself as New York's first corn maze and the second-longest continuously operating corn maze in the world. It has offered a maze designed by Amazing Maize Maze since 1998. The maze covers five acres. It takes visitors on average 90 minutes to complete the course. There's a smaller maze for young kids. Moonlight mazes are offered on select evenings.
Hours and dates: Weekends beginning Sept. 12; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Moonlight mazes are 6 to 11 p.m. Sept. 25 and 26 and Oct. 2, 3, 9, 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30.
Cost: $11, kids under 2 are free.
Website and phone: 315-986-4202
Liberty Ridge Farm, 29 Bevis Road, Schaghtico*ke, N.Y. (north of Albany)
What makes it good: This is Liberty Ridge's 16th year with a maze. It has two, one for young kids that takes 15 minutes to navigate and a bigger one that takes 30-40 minutes and covers 11 acres. The farm's passport game provides visitors with clues to get through the cornfield. This year's maze design is "Fall this year just makes Cents !," with the maze shaped like a penny.
Hours and dates: Open Sept. 19-Nov. 11, hours vary.
Cost: $15 general admission, kids 2 and under are free
Website and phone: 518-664-1515
Critz Farms, 3232 Rippleton Road, Cazenovia, N.Y. (southeast of Syracuse)
What makes it good: Critz Farms teamed up with the Rosamond Gifford Zoo this year. The theme for its maze is the "Giant Zoo-Tastic Octopus's Garden," in honor of the zoo's giant Pacific octopus exhibit. The maze design includes an octopus, seahorse, fish, anemones and the letters "RG ZOO."
Hours and dates: Sept. 12-Oct. 25; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends.
Cost: $4 on weekdays; $7.50 per person or no more than $30 per carload on weekends. Kids under 2 are free.
Website and phone: 315-662-3355
Fort Ticonderoga's Heroic Maze, 100 Fort Ticonderoga Road, Ticonderoga, N.Y. (south of Plattsburgh)
What makes it good: It covers six acres on the grounds of a historic revolutionary war fort on the shores of Lake Champlain. Hidden in the maze are eight stations each representing a component of an 18th-century fort.There's a shorter maze for young kids.
Hours and dates: through Oct. 18. Hours vary.
Cost: General admission to the fort includes the maze: $17.50 to $19.50 for adults, children 5-12 are $8, kids under 5 are free.
Website and phone: 518-585-2821
Cambria Corn Maze, 5274 Lockport Junction Road, Route 270, Lockport, N.Y. (northeast of Buffalo)
What makes it good: Situated on a 12-acre field, it includes two mazes full of twists, turns and dead ends.
Hours and dates: Sept. 19-Oct. 31; 3-8 p.m. Thurs. and Fri., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sat. and Sun.
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for kids aged 5-14, kids 4 and under are free
Website and phone: 716-589-0626
Tucker Farms, 64 Hobart Road, Gabriels, N.Y. (northwest of Lake Placid)
What makes it good: The maze is located on a family-owned potato farm on the north slope of the Adirondack Mountains. The theme of the maze this year is "Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head Vacation in the Adirondacks." After sunset, the farm lights a bonfire and provides the fixings to make smores.
Hours and dates: Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until the last weekend in October; from 1 pm until dusk. Flashlight nights are Friday and Saturday nights from dusk until 10 pm. Cost: $10; Kids 4 to 13, or unaccompanied by an adult, are $8; kids under 4 are free.
Website and phone: 518-354-3114
Schuyler Farms, 1124 Route 29 Schuylerville, N.Y. (east of Saratoga Springs)
What makes it good: Three brothers turned their family's former dairy farm into a tourist attraction. They've been designing corn mazes there since 2002. This year's theme is "Alice in Wonderland." There's flashlight nights and haunted maze nights.
Hours and dates: through October. Hours vary.
Cost: $8, kids under 4 are free; Haunted maze fee is $14.
Website and phone: 518-695-5308
Stoughton Farm, 10898 State Route 38, Newark Valley, N.Y. (northwest of Binghamton)
What makes it good: This year's theme is "Anti-Bullying Awareness." This year will be Stoughton's 11th season with what it bills as the Binghamton area's original large scalecorn "MAiZE."
Hours and dates: Open Sept. 19-Nov. 1; hours vary
Cost: $9; kids 4-9 are $6, kids under 4 are free
Website and phone: 607-642-3675
Stokoe Farm, 656 South Road, Scottsville, NY (southwest of Rochester)
What makes it good: Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan got lost this year in the farm's maze, which is cut in his likeness. The Stokoe family has been farming land in Scottsville since 1812.
Hours and dates: Weekend days Sept. 12-Oct. 25; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $12; Kids under 2 are free
Website and phone: 585-889-0770
Abbott Farms, 3275 Cold Springs Road, Baldwinsville, N.Y. (northwest of Syracuse)
What makes it good: There's Friday night flashlight corn maze fun, including a wagon ride. Bring your own flashlight.
Hours and dates: Open through October, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: $7 on weekdays; $8 on weekends; Kids 2 and under are free.
Website and phone: 315-638-7783
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