Fall is in the air, which means apples are almost ready to harvest in Chicagoland. Some of the richest farmland in America is within an hour's drive of Chicago, and dozens of orchards in and around northern Illinois offer apple picking this time of year. Join our real estate agents for some fun on the farm at these Chicagoland apple-picking destinations!
Just over an hour from Downtown Chicago, All Seasons Orchard has been serving McHenry County in Chicago's Northwest Suburbs for over 30 years. The orchard is home to 16,000 apple trees plus a 10-acre pumpkin patch, and families can take a hay wagon ride to pick apples and pumpkins. All Seasons Orchard also offers a variety of barnyard fun for families, including a corn maze and petting zoo. The farm is open seven days a week through October 26. Making it a perfect stop if you're near Woodstock!
Offering you-pick apples, farm attractions, and an annual Sunflower Festival that lasts through the first half of September, Kuipers Family Farm is a beautiful fall destination in Maple Park. The orchard grows dozens of apple varieties — call ahead to find out what's currently available to pick or purchase at the farmstand — and offers treats like apple cider donuts, fruit pies, and fresh fudge. Plus, take a scenic trip around the farm on the 3/4-mile Farmview Railway.
A charming farm offering apples, baked goods, and kids' activities, County Line Orchard is under an hour from Chicago in Hobart, Indiana. Apple-picking season starts in early September, as Honeycrisp and Gala apples ripen, and continues through late October, featuring over 25 varieties. In addition to being a working farm, County Line Orchard also serves as a venue for a wide range of events, including weddings, birthday parties, and school tours.
The small, family-owned Prairie Sky Orchard is a perfect place to go apple picking in the community of Union, IL, just a short trip from Chicago's Northwest Suburbs. Open throughout September and October, the orchard offers a relaxed and enjoyable you-pick experience, including over 2,400 trees that produce 14 varieties of apples. Be sure to check their website to see which apples are currently available!
The closest orchard to Chicago, Heinz Orchard, is a beautiful family-owned farm that has been producing apples for over 70 years. This is a no-frills destination in Libertyville that focuses solely on growing apples, and here you'll find some of the best and freshest apples in Chicagoland, including classic varieties like McIntosh, Jonathan, and Empire.
Due west of Chicago in DeKalb County, Jonamac Orchard has been one of Chicagoland's premier agrotourism destinations since 1984. Apple picking season starts August 30, with varieties that vary as the season progresses. Apples can be sampled at the farm store on weekends, and picking is available seven days a week. Jonamac Orchard also offers live music and entertainment, a cider house serving wine and hard cider, and weekend activities like wagon rides and animal petting.
Fall is the perfect season to become a homeowner. Contact us today to learn more about life in the Chicago area, and be sure to ask our real estate agents about finding your dream home in Chicagoland.