One cornfield design pulled in more than 3 million views online.
Yes, people around the world stopped scrolling just to stare at corn.
That viral hit was an Alice in Wonderland tribute, and the farm creates a brand-new design every single year.
The 2026 maze celebrates 100 years of television, which is a pretty fun twist for a field of stalks.
I like how this maze in western Massachusetts hides trivia and puzzles at nearly every turn.
You don’t just wander around, you play your way through eight acres of tall green walls on a real working farm.
I can’t imagine a better excuse to get the whole family a little lost on purpose, especially with potato cannons and cider donuts waiting outside.
So who in your crew is brave enough to grab the map first?
Eight Acres Of Corn Will Test Your Family’s Teamwork
Getting lost has never felt so planned. Mike’s Maze at Warner Farm turns eight acres of corn into what the farm calls an original masterpiece of corn art.
From the ground, you only see tall stalks and winding dirt paths. From above, the whole field becomes a giant picture that changes every year.
The real trick is that this isn’t a simple start-to-finish puzzle. You carry a map and hunt for stops tucked along the paths, each with its own challenge.
Installations and trivia pop up at every turn. Some ask you to solve problems, and others make you stop and think as a team.
That setup is great for families with mixed ages. Older kids can read the clues while younger ones race ahead to find the next stop.
Paths are made of hard-packed soil, so sturdy shoes are a smart choice. A muddy morning can turn sneakers into something closer to garden boots.
Plan to give the maze real time instead of rushing it. The more stops you find, the more the design starts to make sense.
And yes, someone in your group will insist they know the way. Let them lead once, then hand the map to somebody else.
A Christmas Party Idea Grew Into A 25-Year Tradition
Plenty of party ideas fade by New Year’s Day. The one behind this maze started at a Christmas party and somehow kept growing.
Farmer Mike Wissemann teamed up with artist Will Sillin to create corn art. Sillin designed the very first maze using an ATV and GPS, which sounds like a high-tech art class.
He stayed on as the resident corn artist until 2014. After that, a new creative team stepped in to keep the tradition going strong.
Mike’s son, David Wissemann, and his wife, Jess Marsh Wissemann, became co-creative directors in 2015. Jess’s very first design, Alice in Sunderland, went viral with more than 3 million views.
That’s a lot of attention for a cornfield. It also proved that a farm maze could tell a story, not just twist around in circles.
The 2025 maze celebrated 25 years by bringing back favorite games and creations. It was basically a greatest hits album, only with more corn.
For 2026, the theme celebrates 100 years of television. Expect plenty of fun nods for anyone who grew up glued to the screen.
Each new design gives families a reason to come back. Your kids might even start guessing next year’s theme in August.
Step Into A Dark Room That Shows The Maze In A Whole New Way
Old-school science gets a starring role here. The Camera Obscura at Mike’s Maze is a walk-in dark chamber that works like a giant optical device.
The idea is surprisingly simple. Light enters through a small opening and projects an image of the outside world into the darkness.
Here, that image gives you a unique view of the maze. It’s a little like watching a live movie made entirely of farm scenery.
Kids who love science class will find plenty to talk about. Adults may catch themselves saying “how does that work” more than once.
It also makes a nice break between busier activities. After potato cannons and slides, a quiet dark room feels oddly calming.
The best part is that it comes with general admission. You don’t need extra tokens to enjoy this clever bit of history.
Camera obscuras have been around for centuries, long before phones and screens. Artists and scientists once used them to study light and images.
So when your family steps inside, you’re trying something people have marveled at for ages. That’s a pretty cool fact to share on the drive home.
Potato Cannons Bring Out Everyone’s Competitive Side
Launching a potato across a field sounds like something a cartoon character would do. At this farm, it’s an actual activity, and it’s a big hit.
The Spudnik Blasters let you test your aim at targets more than 100 feet away. That’s farther than most kids can throw a baseball.
These cannons require tokens, so plan a little extra for them. Many families save them for the end as a victory lap.
Dave’s Derby is another token favorite. You race around a track in person-powered four-wheel pedal carts that come in kid and adult sizes.
Parents, consider this your official warning. Your children will absolutely challenge you to a rematch, and your legs may protest.
Rolling Tubes let you spin around like a hamster on a mission. Hi Strikers test your strength with one big swing of a mallet.
Each game brings a different kind of silly energy. Some are about skill, while others are mostly about laughing at yourself.
A smart move is to decide on a token budget before you arrive. That way, nobody negotiates for “just one more” potato shot.
The Playground Might Keep The Grown-Ups Busy Too
Calling it a playground almost undersells it. The Pasture Playground is described as an epic playground for kids of all ages, and grown-ups count too.
A giant double drain-tube slide sits at the center of the action. Picture a race down a pipe, only with way more giggling.
Next comes the inflatable jump pad for bouncing off extra energy. There’s also a climbing tower for kids who like reaching new heights.
Little ones can dig into a sandbox made from a tractor tire. It’s a perfectly farm-style twist on a classic.
Swings, duck races, and marble runs add even more variety. Giant versions of chess and Jenga make strategy feel a lot more dramatic.
Everything here comes with general admission. That makes it an easy spot to linger without worrying about tokens.
It works well as a reward after the maze. Kids who walked patiently through trivia stops can finally go full speed.
Bring a jacket you don’t mind getting a little dusty. Between the sand, slides, and bouncing, nobody stays spotless for long.
Friendly Farm Animals And Wagon Rides Slow Things Down
Goats have a talent for stealing the spotlight. At the petting zoo, they share the stage with other farm animals ready for gentle pats.
Petting is included with admission. Feeding the animals costs extra, so keep that in mind if your kids want to hand out snacks.
This area offers a calmer pace than the potato cannons. It’s a nice reset when little legs start to drag.
Remember, Mike’s Maze sits on a real working farm. That setting gives the animal area a genuine, down-to-earth feel instead of a theme park vibe.
Wagon rides add another relaxing option to the day. They run on Saturdays, Sundays, and Columbus Day.
Fridays skip the wagon rides, along with face painting. If those are must-haves for your family, plan a weekend visit instead.
Riding through the farm gives everyone a chance to sit and enjoy the scenery. Tired toddlers will probably vote for this one twice.
Bring hand wipes or plan a stop to wash up. Farm animals are adorable, but they’re not exactly famous for being tidy.
Save Room For Cider Donuts And Hand-Cut Fries
Cider donuts and corn mazes go together like peanut butter and jelly. The Corn Cafe makes sure that partnership is in great shape.
The menu leans into farm-fresh comfort food. You’ll find hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, and black bean veggie burgers.
Quesadillas and grilled cheese round out the main options. On the side, there are hand-cut French fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings, and fried okra.
Chilly days call for something warm. Millstone Market Corn Chowder and Millstone Market Chili are both on the menu.
Then come the sweet treats, including kettle corn and those famous cider donuts. Drinks include hot cider, cold cider, and cider slushies.
The full menu runs on Saturdays and Sundays. Fridays offer snacks and drinks, so eat lunch beforehand if you visit then.
Picnic tables give you a spot to sit and refuel. Outside food generally isn’t allowed, though water, baby food, and medical snacks are fine.
A cider slushie on a warm September afternoon? That might just be the official taste of fall in this corner of the state.
A Little Planning Makes Your Maze Day So Much Smoother
Timing matters more than most people expect. For 2026, the season runs from September 11 through November 8.
Fridays are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays, and Columbus Day run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You’ll find the farm at 23 South Main Street, Sunderland, MA 01375. It’s an easy address to plug in for a fall road trip across Massachusetts.
Tickets are sold online or at the Admissions Booth. Reservations aren’t required, which is great news for spontaneous planners.
Kids 4 and under get in free. That’s a nice perk for families with toddlers who mostly want the slide anyway.
Arrive early enough to enjoy everything before closing time. The maze and activities can easily fill a big chunk of the day.
Parking areas and walkways aren’t paved because it’s a working farm. Maze paths are hard-packed soil, and many visitors with mobility needs have navigated them.
Leave the family dog at home on most days. Dogs aren’t allowed except medically needed assistance dogs or during one special weekend.
Mountain Views And Fall Colors Steal The Final Scene
Some backdrops look almost too pretty to be real. Mike’s Maze sits at the foot of Mount Sugarloaf, and the view does a lot of heavy lifting.
When New England foliage peaks, the farm turns into a postcard. Bright leaves frame the cornfield in reds, oranges, and golds.
That scenery makes even a simple snack break feel special. Phones will come out, and nobody will complain about extra photos.
The maze has earned a reputation as a Western Massachusetts tradition. It was even listed as the number one item on MassLive’s Fall Bucket List.
Dog lovers should circle one event on the calendar. Dog Walker’s Weekend, held at the end of the season, lets pups join the fun.
It’s the only time regular dogs are welcome on the farm. Picture your pup sniffing every corner of the maze with total joy.
The farm also hosts private events and school tours. Teachers looking for a field trip with real puzzles may want to take note.
By the time you leave, someone will already be asking about next year’s theme. Getting lost here somehow becomes the best part of the plan.
