How do you like them apples?
Fall is almost upon us, and while we’ll miss the blooming gardens, sunflower fields, luscious green parks of summer, we’re also excited for the changing leaves, pumpkin patches, gigantic corn mazes, and orchards to harvest autumn fruits.
It’s time to take measures into your own hands, so read on to find out where you should go apple picking near Chicago!
1. Honey Hill Orchard
With the early season at the Honey Hill Orchard in Waterman, IL starting September 2nd, peak season to apple pick at the orchard will start rolling from late September and throughout October.
In addition to over two dozen varieties of apples to pick from, Honey Hill also allows visitors to pick raspberries and pumpkins — Harvest Season is September 7th through October 31st. Stop by, take your pick, and grab some pure honey and 100% raw cider while you’re there!
📍Location: 11783 Waterman Rd, Waterman, IL 60556
65 miles from Chicago
📲 Website: Learn more about Honey Hill Orchard here
2. Royal Oak Farm Orchard
There are so many things to do at least once in Chicago, and traveling to Royal Oak Farm in Harvard is one of them. You’ll truly find out what is amaze’n about apples. Literally, the farm/bakery/gift shop is home to the only apple maze in the country. Over 160 acres wide, the 4-orchard farm boasts over 20,000 apple trees with 30 different varieties.
After you’re finished with your picking, you can treat yourself to a home-cooked meal on the patio of their country kitchen. Or, wind down with a group of friends around one of the bonfires that are available with reservation!
📍Location: 15908 Hebron Rd, Harvard, IL 60033
77 miles from Chicago
📲 Website: Learn more about Royal Oak Farm here
3. Kuipers Family Farm
Maple Park, Illinois just sounds like an autumn town. Prime evidence is the fact that the northern-Illinois village is home to Kuiper’s Family Farm and pumpkin patch. Apple picking at Kuiper’s is available on weekends through to the end of October.
In addition to apples, Kuiper’s features a ton of other fun activities to entertain the whole family: from a life-size Charlotte’s web, pig races, mountain slide, carnival games, chalk house, and more, you’ll be in for a treat no matter what!
📍Location: 1N145 Watson Rd, Maple Park, IL 60151
55 miles from Chicago
📲 Website: Learn more about Kuipers Family Farm here
4. Heinz Orchard
If you’re thinking about going apple picking near Chicago, Heinz Orchard in Green Oaks, Illinois is the closest orchard to Chicago. Unlike the other farms which host numerous non-apple-based attractions on their grounds, the Heinz Orchard is a no-frills kind of place.
Instead, the small, family-run orchard is there for one thing and one thing only: picking apples. Take a short drive down to Heinz to pick tasty apples and enjoy some stunning scenery whilst doing it.
📍Location: 1050 Crest Rd, Libertyville, IL 60048
30 miles from Chicago
📲 Website: Learn more about Heinz Orchard here
5. County Line Orchard
If you’re looking to get your hands on some of the freshest Honeycrisp apples in the Midwest, you’ll want to take a trip to the County Line Orchard in Hobalt, Indiana. County Line also features numerous other attractions such as their bee yurts and pumpkin patch!
📍Location: 200 S County Line Rd, Hobart, IN 46342
41 miles from Chicago
📲 Website: Learn more about County Line Orchard
6. Keller’s Farmstand
Open for 3 out of the 4 seasons of the year, Keller’s Farmstand in Plainview offers numerous attractions during the autumn months. Whether you want a batch of hand-picked apples, or amble through their pumpkin patch, or chow down on some rich apple cider and pumpkin donuts, trip down to one of Keller’s Farmstand locations in Oswego or Naperville.
📍Location: 2500 Johnson Rd, Oswego, IL 60543,📍516 Knoch Knolls Rd, Naperville, IL 60565
50 miles from Chicago
📲 Website: Learn more about Keller’s Farmstand
7. Apple Holler
Cheese isn’t the only thing that comes out of Wisconsin. And if you’re going to go Apple Picking near Chicago (but north), head to Apple Holler. The Wisconsin’s Sturtevant apple farm has been rated as one of the Top 25 Places To Go Apple Picking in America by US News and was voted one of the Top 10 Best Orchards in the country by USA Today. In addition to their orchard, Apple Holler’s market and Cider & Bakery Barn are now open every day.
📍Location: 5006 S Sylvania Ave, Sturtevant, WI 53177
66 miles from Chicago
📲 Website:Learn more about Apple Holler here
8. Lang’s Orchard
Apple-picking season at Lang’s Orchard in Woodstock begins September 12. Like Kuiper’s Family Farm, the beauty in Lang’s is the simplicity. Come by Lang’s on the weekends to pick from an assortment of apples and stop by their shop to get some tasty jellies, honey, and salsa.
📍Location: 17411 Secor Rd, Woodstock, IL 60098
63 miles outside Chicago
📲 Website: Learn more about Lang’s Orchard here
9. Jonamac Orchard
Jonamac Orchard lies on a 105-acre farm that grows over 20,000 apples trees throughout the season. While they might not all be in season simultaneously, Jonamac grows over 30 different varieties of red, yellow, and pink apples. Additionally, the farm has a Cider House on the grounds with taps on taps of hard ciders and apple wines!
📍Location: 19412 Shabbona Rd, Malta, IL 60150
69 miles from Chicago
📲 Website: Learn more about Jonamac Orchard
10. All Season’s Orchard
Open daily in September and October, All Season’s Orchard in McHenry County is Woodstock features 15,000 apple trees on the grounds as well as a 10-acre pumpkin patch perfect for fall pickin’. If picking works up your appetite, be sure to check out their Country Kitchen and Dessert Bar, where you can load up on apple pie, apple cider donuts, and — this is the best part — an apple cider donut sundae. Trust us, you want it.
📍Location: 19412 Shabbona Rd, Malta, IL 60150
60 miles from Chicago
📲 Website: Learn more about All Season’s Orchard here
We hope this was helpful as you decide where to go apple picking near Chicago. Whether you crave Pink Ladies, Honeycrips, Galas, Granny Smith, or the other delectable options, we guarantee you’ll find them at one of these places.