CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- It's officially fall, Chicago! And fall is definitely in the air. You know what else comes with the season change? Apples! That's right, it's apple picking season! So grab your favorite flannel and your friends and family and head to your favorite orchard to stock up on the season's best fruit! Plus, while you are there you can also grab some apple cider donuts, apple cider, apple pie -- literally all things apple! And if you are like me, apple season trumps pumpkin spice season!
There are a ton - bushels upon buschels - of apple orchards around the Chicagoland area and Northwest Indiana, so if you are looking for something to do the next couple weekends, definitely check one -- or a few -- out!
Here's a look at some of the best apple orchards in the area:
All Seasons Orchard
14510 Illinois Route 176
Woodstock, IL 60098
If you are interested in picking your own apples, All Seasons Orchard is one of the largest u-pick apple orchards in northern Illinois with over 15,000 apple trees and two apple orchards. A wagon ride will take you to one or both orchards depending on the pick your own apple varieties that are available. MORE INFO.
U-Pick Season: Now through Oct. 31
Hours: Weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Weekends and Columbus Day, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: $11/person; Additional $4/person for Honeycrisp (when in season)
Includes 1/4 peck apple bag (two to three pounds), apples picked into the bag and wagon ride (weather permitting). Children 2 and under free, but do not get apple bag. Apple bag per person required to go into orchard. Limit 1 apple bag per person.
Apple Barn, Orchard, & Winery
W6384 Sugar Creek Road
Elkhorn, WI 53121
Apple season is here! Apple Barn offers pick-your-own apples on a “pay per bag” basis. That means there’s no parking fee, no admission fee, and no per-person fee. You only pay for what you’re going to pick. This year, pick-your-own will be offered on Saturdays & Sundays only. MORE INFO.
U-Pick Season: Now through October
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Varies
Apple Holler
5006 South Sylvania Avenue
Sturtevant, WI 53177
Your fruit picking adventure allows you to get up close and personal with nature as you explore the rolling hills and gentle slopes of the Apple Holler orchards and farm. Marvel in the majesty of 150-year-old hardwood trees on your tractor-drawn orchard and farm tour and enjoy the beautiful, picturesque flower and tree landscaping at the Apple Holler farm. Using your farm map, follow the old farm roads and orchard pathways as you search for the perfect apples, peaches, and pears to suit your tastes. MORE INFO.
U-Pick Season: Now through early November
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Cost: Everyone entering the orchard must pay for a picking bag. Minimum charge is $20 per person (1/4 Peck Bag).
County Line Orchard
200 S County Line Rd
Hobart, IN 46342
There is no better memory than picking apples with the family! Every year County Line Orchard grows new varieties for guests to enjoy. They currently have over 30 varieties spread across acres of land. Tractors take guests on a scenic country ride through the fields that truly makes for a great memory. MORE INFO.
U-Pick Season: Now through October
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Cost: General admission $2 - includes tractor ride and u-pick bag; Apples 1.79/pound
Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard
42W813 Reinking Rd
Pingree Grove, IL
The Fall Festival is what Goebbert’s is known for! Goebbert’s offers a full day of family-friendly activities that are sure to delight kids and grown-ups of all ages. The General Admission fee includes almost all of the activities on the farm. Parking is free. MORE INFO.
U-Pick Season: Now through October
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Cost: Goebbert’s does not offer apple picking as its own activity, but guests can choose to pay for apple bags and pick apples in addition to their Fall Festival admission. General admission is $17 per person Monday through Friday; $20 per person Saturdays, Sundays, and Columbus Day; Seniors are $12 per person and children 2 and younger are free.
Heinz Orchard
1050 Crest Road
Libertyville, IL 60048
Heinz Orchard in Green Oaks, next to Libertyville, is one of Chicagoland's closest orchards. They are just 37 miles from downtown Chicago. Their no-frills Lake County orchard has been a favorite in Northern Illinois for nearly 70 years.
Heinz allows guests to bring strollers and wagons into the orchard. They do not offer hayrides, food/drink, corn mazes, etc. This year, Heinz has a smaller crop than normal, so picking is limited. Check the website for specific dates and times for u-pick this year. MORE INFO.
U-Pick Season: Now through October
Hours: Varies; Check website
Cost: $10 for a 1/2 peck bag (holds five to six pounds); $20 for a 1 peck bag (holds 10 to 12 pounds). There are no admission or parking fees; however, at least one person in your party must buy a bag.
Homestead Orchard
11802 Charles Road
Woodstock, IL 60098
Since 1839, someone has farmed this land on the corner of Charles Road and Raffel Road. Homestead Orchard is a quiet place in the country to pick 23 varieties of apples, pie cherries and pears. Come and sit under one of the oldest and largest maple trees in McHenry county. Relax, see and hear nature all around you. Come inside the 1880s horse barn, which is Homestead’s store, and find hand crafted items, glassware, and maybe some antique furniture for sale. They also sell honey from their own bee hives along with beeswax candles made one at a time. MORE INFO.
U-Pick Season: Now through October
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m to 4: p.m., Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Cost: One peck bag is $20.00; Family with children: 1- peck minimum; More than 4 adults: 2-peck minimum
Honey Hill Orchard
11747 Waterman Road
Waterman, IL 60556
Nothing says fall like a fresh picked apple from Honey Hill Orchard. MORE INFO.
U-Pick Season: Now through October
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
Cost: 1/4 peck bag - $9; 1 peck bag - $30; Everyone must have a picking bag to enter the orchard. (Children 2 and under are free but do not receive a bag).
Jonamac Orchard
19412 Shabbona Road
Malta, IL 60150
Jonamac Orchard is a three generational family farm in Northern Illinois. Founder, Gerald McArtor, found a passion for growing apple trees after taking some Horticulture classes at Kishwaukee College down the road. He planted several trees at his house, and then he and his wife Mary Lynn purchased the farm from the Johnson family in 1984. Gerald decided to call the farm “Jonamac Orchard” a combination of the names Johnson and McArtor, and also a variety of apple grown on the farm. MORE INFO.
U-Pick Season: Now through Nov. 24
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
Cost: U-pick bags are $15 for 1/2 peck; Each person is not required to have their own bag, you may have up to four people picking per apple bag. All apples picked, must be able to fit in your bag. On Fall Festival Days (Saturday, Sunday, Labor Day & Columbus Day Monday) guests must have general admission wristband to enter the u-pick orchard plus a u-pick bag (for up to 4 people). On Weekdays (Monday-Thursday) it is free to enter the u-pick apple orchard once you have purchased your u-pick bag from inside the Store & Bakery or Cider House.
Keller’s Farmstand
2500 Johnson Rd
Oswego, IL 60543
Summer starts to wind down, making way for fall. The trees prepare for their months-long concert of color. As the season deepens, the air starts to fill with the crisp autumn chill. And at Keller’s Farmstand, their apple orchard bursts with fresh, crisp, vibrant fruit ripe for the picking. It’s a wonderful time for family and friends. MORE INFO.
U-Pick Season: Now through October
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Cost: $8/person for ¼ peck bag (about three pounds); $16/person for ½ peck bag (about five to six pounds); $32/person for 1 peck bag (about 10 to 12 pounds)
Kuipers Family Farm
1N145 Watson Road
Maple Park, IL 60151
The Kuipers Family is celebrating its 20th season. In 1998 Wade and Kim Kuipers opened their 71 acre pumpkin patch to the public in the hopes that families would enjoy the simple pleasures of a fall day spent on a beautiful Midwest farm, as they found they enjoyed it with their three children.
As the little fall happening grew, the Kuipers purchased the 160 acre apple orchard known previously as Pine-Apple Orchard and renamed the now 230 acres Kuipers Family Farm.Now folks began coming several times a season to pick apples, then back for pumpkins and fall hayrides and then again in November for that perfect Christmas tree! MORE INFO.
U-Pick Season: Now through October
Hours: Apple picking Saturdays, Sundays and holidays only through October or while supplies last; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: $12.99 per person. Includes 1/4 peck bag of apples. Children 2 and under admitted free, but don’t receive a bag. Everyone entering the orchard must purchase admission.
Prairie Sky Orchard
4914 N. Union Rd.
Union, IL 60180
Prairie Sky Orchard began in 1991 with $8 used to purchase some pumpkin seeds. Now, the orchard has 2000 dwarf apple trees, a barn store, and a snack shop. MORE INFO.
“We love working outside and it still amazes us when we see apples growing on trees. We work hard, but only God can make an apple, or any thing else grow. We love meeting all those who come out to pick apples and many of you have become our friends. We love to share our little bit of this earth the Lord has entrusted us with!” - Ralph and SueEllen Arndt
U-Pick Season: Now through October; Saturdays and Sundays only, while supplies las
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Cost: 1-4 people (2yrs & older) - 1 Peck Bag $29; Prairie Sky is limiting the U-Pick to one bag for every four people to enable more people to U-Pick
Royal Oak Farm
15908 Hebron Rd.
Harvard, IL 60033
Royal Oak Farm’s u-pick apple orchard, located in Northern Illinois near the Wisconsin state line, offers family fun and entertainment in a beautiful 120 acre setting from mid-August through mid-November. They have over 17,000 apple trees with over 30 varieties of apples to choose from and new varieties are being planted each spring. They also grow pumpkins, giant pumpkins, gourds and winter squash. And they also have the country's first apple tree maze, Amaze 'N Apples, where you can wonder through 1.5 miles of trails with 9 varieties of apples. Don't forget their world famous apple cider donuts and the best apple picking in northern Illinois! MORE INFO.
U-Pick Season: Now through November
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: $10 per person, includes: access into the orchard, access into the pollination garden, 1/4 peck bag to fill in the orchard
Stade’s Farm and Market
3709 Miller Rd
McHenry, IL 60051
Many families have become accustomed to taking a relaxing, fun-filled day trip to Stade’s Farm and Market to pick produce, enjoy the farm experience, and stay for the unique, engaging attractions offered. Visitors can choose from a wide range of activities that include u-pick vegetables and fruits, a hands-on petting zoo experience, Stade’s Farmtractions park, and more. MORE INFO.
U-Pick Season: Now through October
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Cost: $10 for a 1/4 peck bag; $30 for a peck bag; $50 for a 1/2 bushel; Note: A $10 minimum apple purchase per person is required to enter the apple orchard (ages two years and under are free). This means that every person entering the apple orchard must at least purchase a 1/4 Peck Bag (you may purchase a larger size and apply the $10 minimum toward the larger bag).
Terrapin Orchards
1063 US Route 20 E
Elizabeth, IL 61028
Apples are king at Terrapin Orchards. Terrapin has 26 different varieties between their two northwest Illinois orchards. They also have a few varieties of pears and some other top secret crops they are tinkering around with growing. The fruit is picked at the peak of perfection. All varieties are available for sale at our orchard in Elizabeth, once they’re ripe of course. They will have multiple varieties ready at any point throughout the picking season. The varieties they grow in Elizabeth are also available for pick your own! MORE INFO.
U-Pick Season: Now through October
Hours: Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Contact for details
Woody’s Orchard
3223 Creek Rd.
Plano, IL 60545
At Woody’s Orchard, they grow many different varieties of apples sure to please all tastes. Please keep in mind that some varieties are in very limited supply, and the crop load and ripening time is at the mercy of Mother Nature. If you are making a special trip based on a particular apple, please call first to confirm that your favorite apple is ripe and hasn’t recently sold out! Both U-Pick and pre-picked apples are available starting mid to late August. MORE INFO.
U-Pick Season: Now through October
Hours: Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Orchard entrance is permitted with the purchase of a $8 quarter peck bag for each person. Over the age of 4 requires purchase of an apple bag.
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