The Amazing Maize Maze

Our guide looks down at his map and examines the two separate paths before us. We've been walking for a little over two hours and the heat has us in search of water, but we can't remember the way back. Not worried, my six-year old son tilts his hat back and boldly chooses the left path. We knew we'd come upon a mailbox soon and then we'd have a better idea where we were other than the fact that we were surrounded by five acres of 10 foot high stalks of corn.

This would pretty well describe my first visit to the Cherry Crest Farm Maize Maze located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Each year this cornfield is transformed into a wonderful family adventure. The maze itself is a different theme each year with past themes of the Liberty Bell, Noah's Ark and an Amish carriage. For the year 2000 they've created a Lost in Space theme.

Your adventure starts with a brief meeting in front of the maze where you're given a large sheet of paper sectioned off into numbered boxes, a tall flag and some instructions. Throughout the maze you'll find little play areas, shady areas, a garden surprise, lookout posts, a drinking fountain and a port-a-john. However don't count on being able to find any of those when needed. Take water in with you. Also, throughout the maze you'll come upon mailboxes. Inside these will be slips of paper that match up to the numbered sections on your paper and are printed with pieces of a map to the maze. If you get all the sections you've got a roadmap out.

Get too tired to continue? Have no fear. People are stationed throughout the maze in lookout towers waiting to guide you out. You have only to yell into one of the "phone tubes" or hoist your flag high about the corn to have someone come escort you out or just give you a hint on where to go next.

After the maze relax while the kids climb on the wooden play structures or enjoy the petting farm area. The Strasburg Railroad goes right by the farm and makes for a lovely ride around Lancaster or you can stay at the farm itself in their guest house and help with milking the cow! There's something for everyone here and it's definitely a day the kids won't soon forget.

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