Getting lost on a long holiday weekend is about as American as apple pie, but there’s no better place to do it this Labor Day than at the Chatfield Corn Maze, which opened its labyrinthine paths to the public on September 3, courtesy of the Denver Botanic Gardens. Eight acres of pure befuddlement, this year’s maze is cut in the shape of a Tylosaurus, in a nod to the Jurassic Gardens exhibit still on view at the DBG through the end of September — but you’ll hardly know that when you’re deep in the middle of it, wishing for a GPS. At any rate, wear sturdy shoes and allow at least an hour to find your way out.

Then again, you might decide not to get lost at all: Festival fare, from turkey legs and kettle corn to hot chocolate and cider (not to mention pancakes and other breakfast dishes for early mazers), will be available for purchase, and there are plenty of non-scary kids’ activities, hayrides, pony rides and a gauntlet of fancy carved pumpkins to keep you busy without ever venturing into the corn.

The corn maze, open Fridays from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 10 p.m. through October 31, is at the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road (one quarter-mile south of C-470, off Wadsworth Boulevard). Tickets range from $4 to $10 and can be purchased in advance at King Soopers stores or online at www.ticketswest.com; get more information at www.botanicgardens.org.
Fridays, 4-10 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sundays, 12-10 p.m. Starts: Sept. 4. Continues through Oct. 31, 2009