Apple Picking Chicago!
Fall is apple picking season. September to early October is the prime picking season. So, grab your boots, your flannel shirt, and a sturdy basket—it’s time to plan you apple picking adventure.
A guide for Apple Picking and Apple Orchards near Chicago so you can have an Apple Picking Good time!
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| Apple Picking Chicago! |
Apple Picking Tips!
There are a few apple picking tips to pick the best tasting apples:
- Avoid Bruising - Store and stow your apples with care. Gently place apples in the carrying container and don’t throw the apple container in the car once you are done picking. Bruised apples will rot faster and causes the other apples to rot as well.
- Pick, Don’t Shake – Never shake the branches and don’t pull the apple straight off the tree. Give a little twist and roll the apple upward off the branch.
- Work from the Outside in – The apples on outer branches ripen first so it is best to pick from the outside of the tree, first. Work your way in as the season progresses. Once you pick an apple the ripening process stops— so make sure the fruit is ready to be picked for the best taste. An apple is ripe if the stem is easily removed from the spur of the branch.
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| Pick, Don't Shake |
Apple Picking Near Chicago
All Seasons Orchard
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| Apple Picking! Good Time |
About: All Seasons Orchard is an apple orchard, pumpkin patch and corn maze located in Woodstock, IL in McHenry County. According to Chicago Parents, the “orchard boasts more than 15,000 apple and pear trees. (All Seasons has one of the largest Honeycrisp orchards around.) . . . At the on-site bakery you can watch the making of extremely delicious apple cider doughnuts along with other amazing fall treats.”
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| Credit: Apple Holler Website |
- Address: 5006 S Sylvania Ave, Sturtevant, WI 53177
- Cost: $20/per person (1/4 peck bag)
- Distance from Chicago: 66 miles
- Phone: 262-884-7100
- Website: https://www.appleholler.com/
About: Voted one of “Top 10 Best Orchards” in the country in the September, 2015 USA Today “Top Best” contest. 78-acre family farm. Besides picking peaches, pears, and apples, you can stroll the picturesque rolling hills of the orchards and explore a breathtaking forest of 150-year-old oak trees. According to Chicago Parents, the apple picking package includes “your picking bag, tractor-drawn tour of the orchard and all access to the Kids Korral Play Area. The play area includes straw mountain, the Amish built train, Rainbow Play Structure and more.”
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| Photo Credit: Boggio's Website |
About: Family-oriented owned orchard and produce. Orchard includes freshly picked produce, bakery, livestock farm and local craft shows. There is also a petting zoo and corn mazes. According to Chicago Parents, “Choose from over 1,800 apple trees. You have the option of purchasing a peck, 1/2 bushel or bushel bag to fill. Clippers are not provided.”
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| Source: Christ Orchard Website |
- Address: 4317 Texas Rd, Elmwood, IL 61529
- Cost: $30/half bushel, $18/one peck, $10/half peck
- Distance from Chicago: 185 miles
- Phone: 309-446-3324
- Website: https://www.christorchardonline.com/
About: Located near Elmwood, Illinois, Christ Orchard has been committed to growing high-quality farm fresh items since 1977. The orchard includes apples, apple picking, pure honey, apple cider, pumpkins, squirrel corn, squash, gourds, Indian corn, mums, straw bales, corn stalks, fruit butters and preserves, soy candles and much more. According to Chicago Parents, “Customers can pick their own apples at this location from September to mid-October. Take a wagon ride to the orchard and make sure to hit up the Apple Shed for cider and other fall favorites afterwards. Also, offers u-pick pumpkins.”
Cody’s Farm & Orchard
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| Photo Credit: Cody's Website |
About: Provide high quality, fresh home grown fruit and vegetables. Cody’s is a family business that values health, happiness of children, education and making family memories. According to Chicago Parents, “The orchard is filled with fun things to do, including picking apples and pumpkins.”
About: County Line Orchard has Bee Yurts, Corn Maze, a kid’s petting zoo, U-pick Apples, Pumpkins, and Sunflowers. According to Chicago Parent, “The Indiana orchard has more than 30 varieties of apples to be picked from. Meet the bees, check out a kid’s farm and leave with a few dozen donuts.”
- Address: 3902 S Duncan Rd, Champaign, IL 61822
- Cost: $8/person (1/4 peck bag), $7/5-plus admissions, free/kids under 36” with paid parent or guardian (no bag included)
- Distance from Chicago: 140 miles
- Phone: 217-359-5565
- Website: https://curtisorchard.com/
About: Family owned since 1977. Pick apples & pumpkins, feed goats, celebrate birthdays, and much more. Fresh country air and plenty of memories are waiting for you at Curtis Orchard. Free activities include a petting zoo and playground. Additional fees for corn maze, pony rides, putt-putt golf and rope maze.
Heinz Orchard
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| Photo Credit: Heinz Orchard Website |
- Address: 1050 Crest Road (corner Atkinson & Crest), Green Oaks, IL 60048
- Cost: $10 for a 1/2 peck bag (holds 5-6lbs); $20 for a 1 peck bag (holds 10-12lbs)
- Distance from Chicago: 38 miles
- Phone: 847.770.3449
- E-mail: heinz.orchard@yahoo.com
- Website: https://www.heinzorchard.com/
About: This is a small, family-run orchard and Chicagoland's closest orchard located in Green Oaks, IL (next to Libertyville). Heinz Orchard specializes in PURE APPLE PICKING FUN in a beautiful surrounding! Hayrides, food/drink, corn mazes are not available.
- Address: 19412 Shabbona Rd, Malta, IL 60150
- Cost: U-PICK BAGS – $15 FOR 1/2 PECK OF APPLES (ABOUT 5 1/2 LBS)
- Distance from Chicago: 69 miles
- Phone: (815) 825-2158
- Website: https://jonamacorchard.com/
About: Jonamac Orchard is a three generational family farm owned and operated by the McArtor Family since 1984. The apple orchard is part of the 105 acre farm in Northern Illinois, with over 20,000 apple trees. Jonamac grows over 30 different varieties of red, yellow, and pink apples. Also, there is a Cider House on the grounds with taps of hard ciders and apple wines!
- Address: 2500 Johnson Rd, Oswego, IL 60543
- Cost: $9/person for ¼ peck bag (about 3 lbs), $18/person for ½ peck bag (about 5–6 lbs), $36/person for 1 peck bag (about 10–12 lbs) plus tax
- Distance from Chicago: 50 miles
- Phone: (630) 219-8194
- Website: https://kellersfarmstand.com/
About: The apple orchard houses 16,000 apple trees. You can pick your own apples and there are over 20 apple varieties to choose from.
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| Orchard fresh Apples |
Final Thoughts
Quite a few Apple Orchards exist near Chicago so if you are looking to purchase orchard fresh apples September and October are the ideal months for apple picking. Many of the Orchards listed are within an hours drive from downtown Chicago.
Happy Apple Picking and Apple Pie Making!!
For a list of Chicago area pumpkin patches check out Chicago Pumpkin Patches.
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