The end of summer signifies that several orchards are ripe for picking apples in the Midwest. Fortunately the apple pickings season is conveniently long enough for apple enthusiasts as it starts in August and runs through end of October. The Chicago suburbs are chock full of great apple orchards whether traveling north, west, or east of the city. Apple picking is a great way to get in some quality family time while selecting a peck or two of your favorite fruit right off the tree. Here is a guide to some of the more popular pick your own apple orchards in the greater Chicago area.
Garden Path Farms and Orchard is located about twenty five miles southwest of Chicago in Homer Glen, Illinois. This pick your own farm is open June through end of October and offers up to over sixty varieties of apples from over 4,000 trees in the orchard. The apple picking schedule is from mid July through end of October and offers other pick your produce such as berries and vegetables. Garden Path Farms is located at 14154 West 159th Street in Homer Glen, Ill; call (708) 301-4104 for more information.
Another popular orchard located in southwest suburbs of Chicago is Apples on Oak. This family owned u-pick orchard located at 16146 Oak Avenue in Lockport, Illinois offers several varieties of apples grown from over seven hundred trees. This orchard is one of the earliest to open at the end of summer with the first offering of the sweet tasting Williams Pride apple ready for picking in early August. For picking hours and farm schedule, contact Apples on Oak at (815) 726-0386.
A far drive straight west out in DeKalb County will take you to Honey Hill Orchard located at 11747 Waterman Road in Waterman, Ill. This family orchard hosts over 2100 apple trees. Honey Hill also has pick your own pumpkin patch with a bakery and store located on site for those interested in purchasing treats to take home. For more information and hours, call (815) 264-3337.
Also located in the DeKalb County is the Jonamac Orchard located at 19412 Shabbona Road in Malta, Illinois. This eighty acre farm features more than two dozen varieties of apples to pick from over 8000 apple trees. If apple picking is not on the agenda, the fall season also includes such fun events as a pumpkin patch, corn maze, barn yard, and store. For more information, call (815) 825-2158.
Resting between the boundaries of Kane and DeKalb counties is the popular Kuipers Family Farm. This 160 acre orchard has over twenty varieties of apples to choose from. Kuipers is located at 1N318 Watson Road in Maple Park, Illinois. Just across the apple orchard and bakery is a large pumpkin farm which includes corn maze, hay rides, pony rides, and a spooky trail. For more information and picking schedules, call (815) 827-5200.
Located northwest of Chicago is All Seasons Apple Orchard located at 14510 IL Route 176 in Woodstock, Illinois. This farm opens early September has twelve varieties of apples throughout the 150 acre orchard. In addition to pick your own apples, the farm offers a corn maze, petting zoo, store and restaurant. For hours and more information call (815) 338-5637.
Further Northwest in McHenry County is the quaint Royal Oak Farm Orchard at 15908 Hebron Road in Harvard, Illinois. This 120 acre orchard includes over 12,000 apples trees ready for pick in the fall season. Take time to get a delicious apple slushie and check out the bakery when coming out to Royal Oak. For more information and picking schedule, contact (815) 648-2084.
These seven pick your own apple orchards are only a highlight of the several quality farms located near the Chicago area. Before deciding to bake that pie or crisp, think twice about settling on a store bought bag of apples and make a trip out to the orchard.