I’ll confess that I’m not a huge fan of fall. It’s fine and all, but I prefer spring and summer and I’m not enthusiastic about the approach of cold weather. However, I LOVE apple picking. It almost makes up for the fact that summer is ending. It’s a tradition in our family to go apple picking at least once every fall and I love photographing my kids in the orchard.
Is apple picking a tradition in your family? Here are some great places to get all your favorite varieties of apples fresh off the tree!
Some orchards charge and admission fee, while others only charge for apples. Also, picking conditions can change daily. It’s always a good idea to check with the orchard you plan to attend before leaving.
Apple Orchards in Illinois
All Seasons Orchard, 14510 IL Route 176, Woodstock, 815-338-5637 — See my All Seasons Orchard post
- U-Pick season runs August 31 through November 2. Hours to be announced.
- Open 10am-5pm weekdays, 10am-6pm Saturday & Sunday. Open Labor Day and Columbus Day 10am-6pm.
- 14 varieties of apples and a pumpkin patch that opens in mid-September
- Over 30 barnyard activities including a 10-acre corn maze, petting zoo, country market, restaurant, jumping pillow, tire mountain, pedal cart track, mini zipline park, and more.
Apples On Oak, 16146 Oak Avenue, Lockport, 815-726-0386
- Not currently open for u-pick.
- More than 30 varieties of apples.
Heinz Orchard, 1050 Crest Road, Libertyville, 847-770-3449
- Opens in mid-September. U-Pick season hours will be announced soon.
- Crops will be limited this year.
- 5 varieties of apples.
- Cash only.
- Apple picking has begun. Open 10am-4pm Monday-Saturday, 12pm-5pm Sunday.
- 23 varieties of apples.
- Cash or check only.
Honey Hill Orchard, 11747 Waterman Road, Waterman, 815-264-3337
- U-Pick berry season has begun; apples are not ready yet so watch for updates on their website or Facebook page.
- Open September 2, 3, and 5 from 9:00 am-1:00 pm. Beginning September 6, u-pick is 9:00 am-5:30 pm daily through October 31.
- 17 varieties of apples and a pumpkin patch that opens in mid- or late-September.
- Store, petting zoo, straw maze.
Jonamac Orchard, 19412 Shabbona Road, Malta, 815-825-2158 — See my Jonamac Orchard post
- U-pick season has begun. Open 9am-5:30 pm.
- More than 30 varieties of apples and a pumpkin patch that opens in late September.
- Corn maze, jumping pillow, slides, duck races, grain bin, hay bail pile, peddle trikes, spider web, kiddy barn, fort and children’s maze, petting zoo, apple launcher and cannon, apple train. Free barnyard admission on weekdays.
Knutson Harvest has closed.
Kuipers Family Farm, 1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park, 815-827-5200 ext. 1
- U-Pick season has begun and runs through October 31. Open 9am-6pm Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm Sunday, but apple picking will ONLY be available on weekends.
- 14 varieties of apples and a pumpkin patch that opens in September.
- Pumpkin farm activities available beginning September 15: corn maze, pig races, duck races, Fort Kuipers, tractor tire mountain, box-o-kernels, woodland walk, peddle tractor derby, haunted forest, haywagon ride, farm animals, chalk house, bail maze, ropin’ roundup, Back 40 playground, cornstalk cavern, Charlotte’s Web, giant checkers, mountain slide, toss games, and more.
- Strollers, wagons, and backpacks are NOT permitted in the orchard.
- Closed for the 2019 season.
More Than Delicious Orchard, 9905 Thompson Road, Woodstock, 815-575-9650
- Permanently closed.
- U-Pick season begins around September 1.
- Open 10am-5pm daily.
- Apples will be limited because of the weather conditions this year.
- Coffee kiosk with coffee, pie, and other refreshments.
Royal Oak Farm, 15908 Hebron Road, Harvard, 815-648-4141 — See my Royal Oak Farm post
- U-Pick season has begun.
- Open 10am-5pm Monday-Thursday, 10am-7pm Friday-Saturday, and 11am-6pm Sunday.
- Over 30 varieties of apples and a pumpkin patch opens in mid-September.
- Country market & bakery, restaurant, petting zoo, “Royal Oak Express”, carousel, play area, and hay rides.
Valley Orchard, 811 E. State Street, Cherry Valley, 815-332-9696
- U-Pick season has begun.
- Open 9am-6pm Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm Sunday.
- Over 25 varieties of apples.
- Store and bakery.
Woodstock County Orchard, 17015 Garden Valley Road, Woodstock, 815-923-4359
- Closed for 2019.
Apple Orchards in Indiana
County Line Orchard, 200 S. County Line Road, Hobart, IN, 219-947-4477
- U-Pick has begun and runs through October 31.
- Open 9am-5pm daily.
- 25 varieties of apples and a pumpkin patch available in the Fall. U-pick sunflowers also available.
- Bakery, gift shop, kitchen grill, Kids Farm, Moo-Choo, and corn maze.
Radke’s Orchards, 8999 W. 200 North, Michigan City, IN, 219-872-3140
- U-Pick apple season has begun.
- Open 8:30am-6pm daily until all apples have been picked.
- 20 varieties of apples.
Garwood Orchard, 5911 W. 50 South, LaPorte, IN, 219-362-4385
- U-Pick apple season has begun.
- Open 9:00am-5:30pm daily.
- 16 varieties of apples and pumpkins are available in the fall.
- Farm market and special events.
Apple Orchards in Wisconsin
Apple Holler, 5006 S. Sylvania Ave, Sturtevant, WI, 262-884-7100
- U-Pick apple season has begun. Open 10am-5pm daily.
- 30 varieties of apples and pumpkins are available in the fall.
- Farmer’s Market, restaurant, pony rides, barnyard animals, Apple Holler Express train, corn maze, pedal carts, cow maze, playground and play area, straw mountain, and bounce house.
- U-Pick apple season runs September 7 through October 26. Open 10 am-5 pm on weekends.
- 12 varieties of apples and pumpkins are available in the fall.
- Tractor pulled hayride, corn maze, vintage trolley ride, and lots of special events.
- U-Pick apple season has begun. Open Noon-5pm Thursday-Friday, 9am-5pm Saturday-Sunday.
- 16 varieties of apples and pumpkins are available in the fall.
- Orchard Store.
- Cash only.
