We're collecting community recommendations for the best apple picking near Chicago and the suburbs on this interactive list!

In addition to picking apples, some farms might offer kid-friendly activities like petting farms, play areas or pumpkin patches. Check directly with each farm's website or social media for updates on when you can pick apples and which varieties are available.

If your family has visited any of the apple orchards around Chicago, please leave a review to share your experience and tips with fellow parents.


 
    Garwood Orchards

     (669.5 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  The Garwood family has been farming the same land for over 180 years. Through six generations, they've maintained a focus on farming, family and community. They offer over 20 different varieties of apples throughout the season!

    Radke Orchards

     (674.0 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  Radke Orchard is family-owned and operated since 1894. Their mission is to provide an authentic orchard experience for parents and kids. Pets are welcome and parking is free. They have over 15 varieties of apples! Bring your own container or purchase one from them.

    County Line Orchard

     (695.5 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  Spending a day at County Line Orchard is one of the best family activities around. They have over 20 varieties of apples! Come out and make lasting memories with your children hunting for the “perfect” apple, getting lost in the corn maze, or visiting with some farm animals in the kids farm.

    Heinz Orchard

     (756.0 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  Heinz Orchard is a small family owned orchard located in Chicago's Northern suburbs. It is especially important to check the site for crop availability, and reference their shorter than typical seasonal hours. Please be aware that as a small, family-run orchard they DO NOT offer hayrides, food/drink, corn mazes, etc. Instead, you'll enter a small quiet orchard that welcomes your family to pick in a beautiful setting.

    Apple Holler

     (767.0 mi)

    Lisa R:  Besides picking peaches, pears, and apples, guests can also stroll the picturesque rolling hills of the orchards and explore a breathtaking forest of 150-year-old oak trees! Farm park admission includes access to the Kids Korral Play Area including: Cool Cow Maze, Little Red Straw Barn, Corn Palace Corn Box, Corn Maze, Straw Mountain, Amish Built Train, Rainbow Play Structure, and more.

    Keller's Farmstand

     (769.7 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  Keller's Farmstand offers u-pick apples and pumpkins. Join them on Saturdays and Sundays as well for bales full of fun including an 8-acre corn maze, kids play area, farm animals, and a concession stand featuring rich and creamy fudge, apple cider donuts, yummy kettle corn as well as other treats.

    Stade’s Farm & Market

     (781.5 mi)

    Alexandra F.:  A longtime popular Chicago destination for u-pick berries, pumpkins and apples. Visit on a weekend in September or October to pick your own, and to enjoy their annual “Shades of Autumn” family festival, with fun outdoor attractions including a carousel, inflatables, zipline, petting zoo and more!

    Homestead Orchard

     (791.3 mi)

    Shila:  Homestead Orchard has over 20 different varieties of apples. They also have pears and honey made from their own hives, along with an 1880's horse barn filled with antiques and homemade treats.

    Kuipers Family Farm

     (791.4 mi)

    Alexandra F.:  Head to Kuipers Family Farm to pick your own apples or pumpkins. They also have pig races, a jumping pillow, a mountain slide, a corn maze and more!

    All Seasons Orchard

     (792.7 mi)

    Sean Keisman:  All Seasons Orchard is one of the largest u-pick apple orchards in northern Illinois with more than 15,000 apple trees and two orchards. Their wagon ride will take you to one or both orchards, depending on the pick-your-own apple varieties that are available. They also have thousands of pumpkins to choose from whether you want to pick your own or grab an already-picked pumpkin from their pumpkin farm. The orchard also includes a corn maze, petting zoo, bunny village, giant swings, pedal karts, and more.

    Prairie Sky Orchard

     (796.6 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  Prairie Sky Orchard started when the Arndt family kids bought some pumpkin seeds with their allowance money and then sold the pumpkins on their family's front lawn. Today the orchard offers u-pick apples and pears. They also have a store that sells baked goods and an onsite Koffee Kiosk.

    Lang's Apple Orchard

     (797.0 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  Lang's Orchard has been family owned since 1975. They have 13 varieties of apples. There is a country store to purchase fruit spreads, salsas and more.

    Royal Oak Farm Orchard

     (799.0 mi)

    Alexandra F.:  Royal Oak Farm Orchard offers family fun and entertainment on a 160-acre farm. They have over 21,000 apple trees with over 30 varieties of apples to choose from. They also grow pumpkins, giant pumpkins, gourds and winter squash. And they have the country's first apple tree maze, Amaze 'N Apples, where you can wander through 1.5 miles of trails with 9 varieties of apples.

    Honey Hill Orchard

     (804.3 mi)

    Brigitte Nohra Miller:  Honey Hill Orchard offers u-pick pumpkins as well as apples. Kids will enjoy the petting zoo and get busy running/navigating though a straw maze and more. Don't forget to visit their bakery for some tasty treats!

    Apple Barn Orchard & Winery

     (810.6 mi)

    Alexandra F.:  Apple Barn is a scenic orchard located just North of Lake Geneva. They offer u-pick apples, pumpkins and strawberries. As an added bonus for parents, Apple Barn has fruit wines to sample and buy!

    Jonamac Orchard

     (812.2 mi)

    Joseph Kelley:  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. They also have a huge selection of pumpkins you can pick yourself from their massive 12-acre patch!

    Valley Orchard

     (823.0 mi)

    Brigitte Nohra Miller:  Valley Orchard is a 35-acre, family-owned orchard with approximately 5,000 apple trees. You have a choice of either picking your own apples or purchasing pre-picked apples in their store. They also have yummy cider donuts, apple pies, cinnamon bread, caramel apples and fudge.

    Boggio’s Orchard & Produce

     (827.7 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  Boggio's has everything you need for a fun day with your family! They have over 1,800 apple trees and lots of fun extra activities at their family-oriented farm, including a petting zoo, a corn maze, wagon rides, pedal cars and bounce houses.

    The Apple Hut

     (837.1 mi)

    Shila:  The Apple Hut is a family-owned farm that offers 21 varieties of apples to pick. They also have an extensive gift shop with apple pies, caramel apples, cider donuts, pumpkin bread, apple cinnamon bread, apple cider, jams, honey, & more.

    Curran's Orchard

     (839.5 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  Curranʼs Orchard is a smaller family-run destination orchard located in the rolling hills of northern Illinois near Rockford. They are known for their award-winning cider, their awesome apple donuts, their ginormous caramel apples, and most all, for the way they don’t spray their apples.

    Edwards Apple Orchard West

     (842.5 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  Edwards Apple Orchard West has over 18 varieties of apples for you and your family to pick. They have apple cider donuts and other farm stand treats! Come on the weekend for a tractor ride!

Primary photo:   Upparent

Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.

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