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By Kristi Palma
It’s the time of year when it’s actually fun to get lost. In a maze, that is.
For perhaps the ultimate maze experience, folks can tackle the Great Vermont Corn Maze, billed as the largest and most challenging corn maze in New England.
The Danville attraction was named among the best corn mazes in the U.S. by USA Today readers. There’s a new design this year, and it stretches for 24 acres and takes 2 to 3 hours to complete. There are several new surprises this season, some within the maze itself and some in the nearby play area, according to the site.
Ahead, travelers can discover all they need to know before they go this season.
The Great Vermont Corn Maze offers three mazes: Big Maze, Scenic Maze, and HidenSeek Maze.
The Big Maze is a 24-acre maze with 10-foot walls of corn, bridges, tunnels, hundreds of turns, and more. It is situated in a cornfield on a hill so guests should be prepared to hike up and down.
Scenic Maze is a 45 minute walk using directions and special trails discovered along the way. Visitors encounter an underground tunnel, dinosaurs, bridges with panoramic views, and more.
“Many families with kids and even adult couples find the Scenic Maze to be just the perfect amount of adventure,” according to the website.
Finally, Hidenseek Maze is a 3,000-square foot blacklight maze within the giant cornfield (it is part of both the Big and Scenic mazes).
Those who choose the Scenic Maze are guaranteed the Hidenseek Maze experience, but those who choose the Big Maze may or may not encounter the Hidenseek Maze — it all depends on the pathways chosen. Flashlights are not necessary for the Hidenseek Maze.
Guests can search for objects called “journey stones” hidden in the mazes and turn them in for prizes.
For all the mazes, there is an emergency exit trail so folks can take a break, grab a snack, or use the restroom without having to start over.
There are other fall activities as well. There’s a play area for kids called “Pretendin” that includes a hay castle, gopher tunnels, bouncy animals, and Old Tread Mountain, which is a mountain of tires for climbing.
Visitors can take a turn at Barnyard Golf, which is played with bigger balls, cow canes, and a 7-foot slingshot, and also visit the Nigerian Dwarf goats on the property.
Food is permitted at the maze, but there are limited offerings on site. Visitors can buy snack foods, ice cream, soda, and water. Bringing a lunch is encouraged and the property recommends visitors stop at Marty’s 1st Stop on Rt. 2 in Danville for sandwiches before arrival.
Because the maze is “a delicate living sculpture,” visitors should remain on the pathways at all times and refrain from running, cutting through the corn, or touching the corn, according to the website. Guests should wear comfortable hiking shoes.
Prohibited items in the mazes include pets, alcohol, smoking and vaping products, drugs, weapons, and drones. Strollers and wagons are not recommended. Due to the dirt trails, hills, and stairs, the maze is not wheelchair accessible. Motorized wheelchairs are not allowed.
Folks should also know that cell service is spotty and there is no public WiFi.
While a light mist or passing shower will not close the maze, a forecast of prolonged rain will. Guests should check the website, Facebook page, or Instagram page for open/closed status on the day of their visit. The status is updated by 8 a.m. and once the maze is closed it will remain closed even if the forecast winds up being wrong and the sun comes out, according to the website. If the maze closes, guests who purchased tickets online will be contacted.
The maze is currently open six days a week through Oct. 13. It is closed on Tuesdays.
Monday through Friday, the last permitted entry is at noon and the maze closes at 3 p.m. Pretendin play area and Barnyard Golf close at 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday the last permitted entry is at 1 p.m. and the maze closes at 4 p.m. Pretendin play area and Barnyard Golf close at 5 p.m.
Tickets are limited each day “to enhance visitor experience,” according to the website, so it’s recommended that tickets are bought online ahead of each visit.
Advance online prices are $15 for ages 5 to 15 and 60 and up and $25 for ages 16 to 59. Kids age 4 and under are free.
Tickets bought at the maze the day of visiting cost $18 for ages 5 to 15 and 60 and up and $30 for ages 16 to 59. Those buying tickets the day of the visit should arrive before 11 a.m.
The admission price includes entry to all mazes and activities.
There are no refunds, unless the maze closes due to weather. If that happens, guests are contacted and given the choice to switch the ticket to a different day or receive a refund.
Kristi Palma is the travel writer for Boston.com, focusing on the six New England states. She covers airlines, hotels, and things to do across Boston and New England. She is the author of the award-winning Scenic Six, a weekly travel newsletter.
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