Words by Chicago North Shore Moms contributor, Brooke Milton. Brooke is a Glenview mom of two and founder of edit + design, a boutique interior design studio! Learn more about Brooke in her bio below. She’s pretty great.
Nothing says fall like…apple picking! Whether you’re looking for a fun family outing or baked treats, these local orchards are worth a visit. This list was updated September 2025.
BEFORE YOU GO…. PRO TIPS
- Call ahead to make sure your orchard is open before you hop in the car!
- Mornings are always less crowded.
- Pack water + sunscreen. It’s not fun to be thirsty or leave with a sunburn.
- Dress in layers. We live in Chicago, and it could be sweater weather one day + a day for shorts the next.
- Wear close-toed shoes + make sure to dodge those decomposing apples on the ground. Ick.
- Bring cash. Credit cards may not be accepted at some of these spots.
- Call ahead before brining Fido – most, if not all, do not allow pets.
Leave room for some sweets on your way out. Most of these orchards have onsite bakeries, and a dozen (or more) apple cider donuts may end up in your car on the way back home. You’ll also find U-Pick pumpkins in late September, so definitely clear out your trunk.
And… If you’re hosting a fall gathering or even Thanksgiving, click on these easy apple dessert recipes for inspiration…
Apple Pie
Apple Crumble
Apple Tart
NO BAD APPLES HERE!
Address: 14510 IL Route 176, Woodstock, Illinois
Hours: 10-5 (Weekdays) + 10-6 (Weekends)
Closed: Tuesdays + Wednesdays
Ends: October 29
U-Pick: Starts at $12
This farm has one of the largest Honeycrisp orchards. After you’re done picking apples, take advantage of their petting zoo, ropes course, pony rides + sunflower trail. They offer over 30 activities in their barnyard. Don’t forget to grab apple cider donuts on your way out.
Address: 5006 S. Sylvania Avenue, Sturtevant, Wisconsin
Hours: 9-4 (Monday to Thursday) + 8:30-5 (Friday to Sunday)
Ends: Mid-November
U-Pick: Starts at $24
Apple Holler offers 40-plus varieties of apples, along with plums, nectarines, pears + peaches. They have a tractor-drawn train ride that shuttles you to the orchard, and your kiddos will have plenty to do during the day at their family fun park. Think mazes, slides + tunnels.
This one is a favorite because it’s close to the North Shore. It tends to be crowded, so try going during the week.
Address: 200 S. County Line Road, Hobart, Indiana
Hours: 8-6 (Monday to Sunday)
Ends: November 3
U-Pick: Starts at $10
Known for its annual corn maze, County Line features a selection of nearly 30 apple varieties alongside pumpkins + sunflowers. In addition to donuts + fudge, you may want to try their goat float, a delicious combo of vanilla ice cream, apple cider + an apple cinnamon donut.
Address: 9502 River Road, Marengo, Illinois
Hours: 10-5 (Saturday + Sunday)
U-Pick: Pay Per Bag
Hop on their site to check out their picking calendar. You may want to time your visit according to when your favorite variety will be available. Pumpkins will be available in October, along with a slew of activities + fall sweets.
Address: 3902 S. Duncan Road, Champaign, Illinois
Hours: 9-6 (Monday to Saturday) + 11-6 (Sunday)
Ends: October 31
U-Pick: Starts at $9
This orchard grows nearly 30 varieties of apples. Look at their activity map before you make the drive. You can pack in a full day + hit their country store on the way out. They also have a bakery stocked with fresh pies.
Address: 1050 Crest Road, Green Oaks, Illinois
Hours: 10 am – 4 pm when open – check ahead of time
Opens: September 26
Ends: October 31
U-Pick: Starts at $10
No frills (and no bathrooms) but plenty of Empire, Jonathan + McIntosh apples. You won’t find a petting zoo or a corn maze, so plan for a leisurely stroll through their gorgeous orchard.
Address: 11802 Charles Road, Woodstock, IL
Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Mon-Sat. and Sundays 12 pm – 4pm
Ends: Late October until apples are all picked
U-Pick: Stars at $20/peck
This is another no frills picking site with your usual suspects like McIntosh + Jonathan, but they also have Lodi + Wolf River. Check the picking guide on their site.
Address: 19412 Shabbona Road, Malta, Illinois
Hours: 9-5 (Monday to Sunday)
Ends: October 26
U-Pick: Starts at $16.00
You can sign up for an Apple Alert on their site to find out when your favorite apple will be ready to pick. When you’ve had your fill of duck races + pony rides, rent a campsite. Jonamac has them available in 3-hour allotments. Make sure you pack enough chocolate bars.
Address: 1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park, Illinois
Hours: 9-6 (Wednesday to Saturday) + 10-6 (Sunday-Monday)
Closed: Tuesdays
Ends: November 2
U-Pick: Starts at $14.99
This farm boasts more than 45 varieties of apples. They also have 7 acres of sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos + marigolds. After you get your apples, head over to the farm for a corn maze, live music + food trucks.
Address: 17411 Secor Road, Woodstock, IL 60098
Hours: Saturdays and Sundays only from 11 am – 4 pm
Ends: September 27
U-Pick: 1 peck is $20 which is approx. 10 lbs. of apples which for reference is about 2.5 apple pies.
Straight up apple picking is what you’ll find at this Woodstock orchard.
Address: 29473 N IL Route 83, Mundelein, IL 60060
Hours: Days vary – check the website and pre-reserve!
Ends: Typically mid-September
U-Pick: Starts at $14.00
This is a newer orchard located in Mundelein. Dwarf apple trees make picking easy. While there are some activities, the true highlight is simply strolling through their two acres.
PECK + BUSHEL ORGANIC FRUIT CO.
Address: 5454 County Road Q Colgate, Wisconsin
Hours: 10-4 (Fridays to Sundays)
Ends: Late October
Cost: Starts at $10
There’s an on-site bakery + cidery. The apple cider slushy comes highly recommended, as do their hand-dipped caramel apples. You can also have lunch, if there’s room, and then browse through a curated selection of locally made home décor + gifts. Special note that this is one of the few family owned and operated certified organic apple orchards in the area.
Address: 8999 W. 200 N Michigan City, Indiana
Hours: 8:30-5:30 (Monday to Sunday)
Ends: October 31
Cost: Pay Per BagBlondee, Gala, Honeycrisp + McIntosh are ready to be picked.
If you’re looking for a quiet afternoon with the fam, Radke is a budget-friendly option for that autumn excursion. There are no parking or admission fees. You’re charged for what’s picked + what you take home.
Address: 3709 Miller Road, McHenry, Illinois
Hours: The store is open daily, 9 am – 6 pm Stade’s Farmtractions Theme Park is open Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays in September & October. Picking is not open every day – check Facebook or call ahead.
Ends: September 26
Cost: This information is not updated from 2024
Stade’s is also home to u-pick raspberries, green beans, peppers + sunflowers, depending on availability. Tomatoes may still be available. There are loads of special events going on all fall, so go to their Facebook page to stay up-to-date. They have a petting zoo, corn maze, giant slides, hay rides + a large variety of unique attractions. Their fall festival Shades of Autumn is a harvest time extravaganza featuring 30+ farm-related attractions, pumpkin picking, special events + great food.
