Apple-picking season is underway around Chicagoland, with orchards opening their fields for everything from Honeycrisp and Gala apples to wagon rides, corn mazes, cider doughnuts and other fall favorites.
Patch has rounded up some of the top apple orchards and family-friendly fall destinations in and around the Chicago area. As always, check with the orchard before heading out for current hours and apple availability.
Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Opening Day — Thursday, Sept. 3. The orchard will also be open on Sept. 7 (Labor Day) and Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Honey Hill will then be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 10 through Halloween.
Details: In addition to the apple orchard, Honey Hill has a converted 1880s apple barn with a craft/gift loft of 25 varieties of apples. There is a free children's play area with a farm petting zoo and straw maze. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, wagon rides are available to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch (weather permitting).
Admission: No admission fee. Everyone over the age of 2 must purchase a picking bag to enter the orchard.
Hours of operation: Apple picking is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The farm's store and bakery are open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.
Details: Along with an apple orchard, Jonamac offers a pumpkin patch, cider house, corn maze, wagon rides, animal barn and children's activities. The daytime corn maze opens Sept. 5. The haunted corn maze runs on select nights in October.
Apples and pumpkins: Apple picking opened Aug. 29. The pumpkin patch opens in mid-September. Find out which apples are currently available for picking here.
Admission: U-Pick bags are $16 for a half-peck of apples, or about 5.5 pounds. Up to four people can pick per bag. General admission is required on Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays and costs $10-$12 per person, depending on the date. There is no general admission charge on regular weekdays.
Hours of operation: The U-Pick Apple Orchard is open through Nov. 1, with hours varying by day. Check the farm's calendar here.
Details: Along with its apple orchard, Kuipers has a Pumpkin FunFarm with more than 30 attractions, including a corn maze and other activities. The Pumpkin FunFarm opens Sept. 18 and runs through Nov. 1.
Apples and pumpkins: Apple picking is underway. Visit the Apple Information Page to see which varieties are available for picking and in the Orchard Shop. The Pumpkin FunFarm opens Sept. 18.
Admission: Apple orchard admission is $11.99 per person on weekdays and $14.99 on weekends and holidays. Admission includes a quarter-peck bag of apples. Children 2 and younger are free but do not receive a bag. Pumpkin FunFarm admission starts at $19.99 per person and varies by date.
Hours of operation: Open Aug. 29 through Nov. 1. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed Tuesdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, Labor Day and Columbus Day. The orchard also has several early-season closures, including Sept. 1-3 and Sept. 8-10.
Details: Along with apple picking, All Seasons has a corn maze, a barnyard, and more than 30 attractions. Pick-your-own pumpkins are expected to begin in late September.
Cost: Apple picking starts at $12 per person and includes orchard admission, a hayride and a quarter-peck bag. Barnyard admission starts at $9, while combination passes start at $19. Parking and entrance to the Food Barn and Farm Market are free.
Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday, through Oct. 31.
Details: In addition to apple picking, Royal Oak Farm has a playground, petting zoo, bakery, country kitchen, children's rides on weekends and its Amaze 'N Apples apple-tree maze.
Apples: Apple picking is underway, with current varieties posted on the orchard's website.
Cost: Apple-picking admission is $12 per person for ages 4 and older and includes orchard access and a quarter-peck bag. Parking and admission to the farm, playground and petting zoo are free.
Hours of operation: The Farm Market is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Pick-your-own hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. when crops are available.
Details: Stade's offers pick-your-own fruits and vegetables throughout the season, including apples and pumpkins. Its Shades of Autumn fall festival begins Sept. 5 and runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 1, along with Labor Day and Columbus Day. The festival features more than 50 farm attractions.
Apples: Apple availability changes with crop conditions, and the farm recommends checking its website or Facebook page before visiting.
Details: As of Aug. 31, Heinz Orchard said frost and summer storms damaged its crop and that operators were still evaluating whether the orchard would open at all this season. The orchard specifically said it will not be open Labor Day weekend. Updates will be posted on its website.
Cost: If the orchard opens, posted bag prices are $10 for a half-peck and $20 for a peck. There are no admission or parking fees.
Details: Goebbert's Fall Festival includes apple picking, a pumpkin patch, wagon rides, a corn maze, pig races, carousel, train, animal attractions, haunted house and other activities. A wagon ride to the apple orchard is included with festival admission.
Cost: Fall Festival admission is required to pick apples. Online tickets are recommended but are not required. Apple-picking bags cost extra. Children 2 and younger are admitted free.
Hours of operation: The apple orchard is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Labor Day hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Details: Apple picking opened Aug. 15. The Oswego farm also has pumpkin picking and weekend Fall Festivities featuring a 12-acre corn maze, children's play areas, farm animals, wagon rides and seasonal food.
Fall Festivities: Sept. 12 through Oct. 25 on Saturdays and Sundays, plus Monday, Oct. 12. This is a notable change from the dates in your draft.
Apples: More than 30 varieties are grown at the orchard, with availability changing throughout the season.
Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 3 through Oct. 31. The orchard is also open Labor Day and Oct. 12.
Details: Woody's offers pick-your-own apples, a grain train, corn maze, farm animals, slides, a jumping pillow, photo areas and apple cider doughnuts and cider. Pumpkins are expected to ripen near the end of September.
Phone: 630-247-9302
Did we forget to mention your favorite apple orchard in the area? Let us know in the comments or email eric.degrechie@patch.com.