Seasonal & Holidays
Apple Orchards In The Chicago Area: Fall 2021 Guide
Patch has compiled a list of some of the best apple orchards in the Chicago area — perfect for fall festivities soon to be in full swing.
ILLINOIS — Summer comes to an official end Sept. 22, but it's not all sad. As trees start changing colors and the weather begins to cool off, fall activities will again be upon Illinois. This year's apple-picking season will make its return over the next two months, and area orchards are already preparing for the picking.
Patch has compiled a list of orchards in the Chicago area. While some offer only apple picking, others also have other kid-friendly activities, including corn mazes and animal barns.
Just remember: Under Gov. J.B. Pritzker's mandate, masks are required indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Check with each farm to know what to expect before your visit.
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McHenry County
All Seasons Apple Orchard
- Address: 14510 IL-176 in Woodstock
- Season dates: Aug. 28 through Halloween
- Details: Along with an apple orchard, All Seasons also has a corn maze, pumpkin patch, barnyard and petting zoo. On weekends, they also offer pony rides, live shows and an apple cannon. The pumpkin patch and pick-your-own pumpkins starts late September, according to its website.
- Hours of operation: Weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekends, plus Labor Day and Columbus Day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last entry for the apple orchard and corn maze is 60 minutes before closing.
- Cost: Parking is free. Tickets are not required for the farmers market, country kitchen or concession stand. Apple picking costs $11 per person and an additional $4 per person for Honeycrisp apples when in season. Price includes 1/4 peck bag of apples and a wagon ride. More details on pricing can be found here.
- Phone: 815-338-5637
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Prairie Sky Orchard
- Address: 4914 N. Union Road in Union
- Season dates: Began Sept. 12
- Details: U-Pick apples is available Saturdays and Sundays only. Bags of picked apples — currently including Gala, Jonamac, McIntosh and Honeycrisp — are available in store, along with pies and apple cider donuts.
- Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
- Cost: Free parking and admission. U-Pick minimum is limited to one bag for every four people. A 1-peck bag costs $29. Pre-picked apples cost $2.80/lb except for Honeycrisp, which cost $3.20/lb.
- Phone: 815-923-4834
Royal Oak Farm Orchard
- Address: 15908 Hebron Road in Harvard
- Season dates: Aug. 21 through Halloween
- Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday through Sunday.
- Details: In addition to apple picking, Royal Oak Farm also has a pumpkin patch, orchard tour, farm carousel and an apple tree maze.
- Cost: Apple picking admission costs $10 per person and includes access to the orchard and pollination garden, and a 1/4-peck bag to fill with apples. See the full price list on the website.
- Phone: 815-648-4141
Note: Lang's Orchard in Woodstock says it will be closed for the 2021 season. Woodstock County Orchard will also be closed for 2021.
Lake County
Heinz Orchard
- Address: 1050 Crest Road, Green Oaks
- Season start: Sept. 17
- Hours of operation: Open days and hours will be updated on the orchard's website weekly.
- Details: There is a small crop this year since many trees didn't bloom, and fruits are smaller due to a drought, according to the website. Due to COVID-19 protocols, each group requires a picking stick, there will be no bathrooms and no picnics or gatherings. A schedule of available apples can also be found online.
- Cost: A 1/2-peck bag costs $10 and a 1-peck bag costs $20.
- Phone: 847-770-3449
More information via the Heinz Orchard website.
Kane County
Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard Pingree Grove
- Address: 42W813 Reinking Road in Pingree Grove
- Season dates: Aug. 27 through Halloween
- Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
- Details: Along with apple picking, Goebbert's also has a pumpkin patch. On weekends, admission to a magic show is included with tickets, and pony and camel rides, along with the shooting gallery attraction, are available for an extra fee. A cafe at the farm also offers baked goods, meals and apple cider donuts. An additional list of activities included in the admission fee can be found on Goebbert's website.
- Cost: General admission is $17 on weekdays and $20 on weekends and on Columbus Day. Admission is free for children ages 2 and younger. Online tickets are required ahead of visiting and can be purchased here.
- Phone: 847-464-5952
Kendall County
Keller's Farmstand in Oswego
- Address: 2500 Johnson Road in Oswego
- Season dates: Mid-July to late October
- Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Sunday. For holiday hours, customers should call ahead. The last entry to the orchard will be 30 minutes before closing.
- Details: Along with apple picking, for which a list of in-season apples can be found here, the Oswego Farmstand also has a pumpkin patch, a corn maze and fall festivities that take place Saturdays and Sundays. Everyone ages 3 and older are asked to wear masks when indoors at the farmstand or in the animal barn.
- Cost: $8.00/person for 1/4 peck bag; $16.00/person for 1/2 peck bag; $32.00/person for 1 peck bag. Additional prices for festivities can be found here.
- Phone: 630-219-8194
More on the Keller's Farmstand website.
DeKalb County
Kuipers Family Farm
- Address: 1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park
- Hours of operation: Orchard opened Aug. 28
- Details: Along with an apple orchard, Kuipers also has a pumpkin farm opening Sept. 1, which includes a tractor train, pig races and a corn maze, among other activities.
- Apples and pumpkins: Pumpkins available Sept. Sept. 21; Honey Crisp apples available while they last starting Sept. 14, Jonathan apples Sept. 15.
- Admission: Pricing for the orchard is $12.99 per person, which includes a 1/4 peck bag of apples. Entrance to the pumpkin farm varies by age and visitation day; pricing can be found here.
- Phone: 815-827-5200
More details via Kupiers Family Farm.
Will County
Apples on Oak
- Address: 16146 W. Oak Ave. in Lockport
- Hours of operation: U-Pik will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Guests have to register online and choose a slot beforehand.
- Cost: $10 for a 1/2 peck bag, required for everyone ages 12 and older entering the orchard.
- Phone: 815-919-3258
Indiana Orchards
County Line Orchard
- Address: 200 S. County Line Road, Hobart, Indiana
- Season dates: Opened Sept. 1
- Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
- Details: Besides apple picking, attractions include a corn maze and soybean maze, a Moo-Choo ride, a bee yurts house and a kids farm. U-Pick apples include Gala, Snow Sweet, McIntosh, Jonathon, Jonagold and limited Honeycrisp, while pre-bagged apples include Honeycrisp, Gala, Zestar, Ginger Gold and McIntosh apples.
- Cost: General admission, which includes a tractor ride and U-pick bag, is $2. Pay for what you pick costs $1.79/lb for apples and 40 cents/lb for pumpkins. More details about pricing can be found here.
- Phone: 219-947-4477
More information via the County Line Orchard website.
Wisconsin Orchards
Apple Barn Orchard and Winery
- Address: W6384 Sugar Creek Rd., Elkhorn, Wisconsin
- Season dates: Pick-your-own apples starts Sept. 18.
- Hours of operation: Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Apple picking will only be available Saturday and Sunday.
- Details: A list of available apples and when they'll be ready for picking can be found here. Various wines can be found at the Apple Barn Winery, and wine tasting is complimentary.
- Cost: Price for apple picking is per peck bag. Details have not been announced as of publication. Check on the orchard's website for up-to-date information.
- Phone: 262-728-3266
Apple Holler
- Address: 5006 S Sylvania Ave., Sturtevant, Wisconsin
- Season start: Currently operating.
- Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
- Details: Apple picking is open and currently, Honeycrisp, Gala, McIntosh, Blondee, Snow Sweet, Gingergold and Sansa apples are ripe for picking. The farm also offers a corn maze, haybarn, giant slide, straw mountain and goat visitation. Kids can also go on pony rides at the farm.
- Cost: Prices for the apple orchard start at $20 per person for a 1/4 peck bag. Rates for varied sizes can be found here.
- Phone: 262-884-7100
More via the Apple Holler website.
Did we forget to mention your favorite apple orchard in the area? Let us know in the comments.
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