While the changing color of the leaves is always a trustworthy sign of autumn’s arrival, apples cropping up at orchards across the Midwest are another.
Corn mazes, cider doughnuts, petting zoos and plenty of u-pick apples (as well as sunflowers, raspberries and pumpkins in some cases) await at farms in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin within driving distance of Chicago where families can pluck fruit fresh from the tree and enjoy plenty of other seasonal activities.
“We feel like this is a place for families to create lasting memories,” said Annette Jenkins, representative at All Seasons Orchard in suburban Woodstock. “It’s also an opportunity to relax, spend time together and slow down. I love going out in the orchard and hearing the laughter and seeing parents playing games with their kids and one another.”
Fans of Dolly Parton won’t want to miss this year’s corn maze. In the works for the last three years and in partnership with Parton’s Imagination Library, the 6-acre maze pays tribute to the late singer and is carved in her likeness. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to local chapters to help with Imagination Library.
“We are honoring her in a different way than we anticipated,” said Jenkins, referencing Parton’s recent sudden passing last month. “She represents the same values we have as far as agriculture and family.”
Over at Jonamac Orchard in Malta, the farm fun extends into the evenings on Saturdays with homemade hard cider and apple wine along with live music, food trucks and a flashlight corn maze.
“It’s a nice, laid-back way to enjoy the orchard at night,” said Gabri Zmich, guest relations manager, adding that kids are welcome.
While this past early spring’s bad weather affected many orchards, “The good news is we are past that now, and we have so many great varieties,” said Jenny Fahey of Peck & Bushel in Colgate, Wisconsin. She’s particularly excited about the orchard’s organic CrimsonCrisp. “It’s tart and sweet and has such an explosive flavor.”
Nothing quite compares to a freshly picked apple, according to Brittany Richey, co-owner of Honey Hill Orchard in Waterman. “Take a bite of one of the just-picked apples and you quickly realize it tastes so much better than one from the store,” she said, adding, “The experience teaches kids how to gather their own food.”
Here are nine orchards all within driving distance of Chicago, perfect for a day trip.
All Seasons Orchard
14510 IL Route 176, Woodstock; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through Nov. 1.
Honeycrisp fans will want to add All Seasons to the must-visit list. This farm boasts one of the largest orchards of the popular sweet-tart variety, which ripens in September. “We are well known for our Honeycrisps and they go fast,” said Annette Jenkins, representative for the orchard. “When they’re gone, they’re gone.”
But if you’re looking for another variety, an up-to-date list of what’s available can be found on All Seasons’ online apple availability calendar. In addition to Honeycrisp, EverCrisp — a Fuji-Honeycrisp hybrid available later in the season — and Zestar are other apple varieties to look out for, added Jenkins.
Family fun: The “fun farm” includes a ropes course, petting zoo, pig races, pony rides, u-pick pumpkin patches, a bee observation station and a Dolly Parton-themed corn maze. Be sure to say hello to Moe the Scottish Highlander, who has been at the farm dating back to the original owners and has plenty of fans. Goats, alpacas, and zebu and Watusi cows also call All Seasons Orchard home.
On the menu: Food offerings range from pulled pork sandwiches and loaded fries to burgers and cheese curds. Sweet treats include ice cream sundaes, apple cider doughnuts, cotton candy and kettle corn. Pair it all with freshly squeezed lemonade.
Pro tip: To avoid the weekend rush, swing by during the week before 11:30 a.m. except on Tuesdays when they’re closed. On the weekends, Jenkins recommends visiting the barnyard first to avoid the hordes of overly eager apple-pickers.
Cost: U-pick pricing starts at $12 per person for a quarter peck and includes an orchard wagon ride.
Curtis Orchard
3902 S. Duncan Road, Champaign; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct. 31.
Established nearly 50 years ago when the Curtis family planted hundreds of trees, this orchard grows dozens of apple varieties, with more planted to offer in future seasons. But there’s a lot more going on here than apples. In addition to more traditional activities, Curtis Orchard also offers story time for kids, educational seminars, pony rides and horse-drawn wagon rides through the orchard. Head to the pumpkin patch to pick your fresh-from-the-vine gourd.
Follow the yellow brick road: The Land of Oz area features three mazes (scarecrow, zinnia and ruby slippers), mini golf and bowling, rubber duck water races, giant slides and free zinnia bouquets on the weekends while supplies last.
Pro tip: Saturdays in September and October are the busiest but come to the orchard between 9 and 11:30 a.m. — even on a Saturday — and odds are you’ll have the place to yourself. Sign up for apple alerts by texting APPLES to 217-504-8818 to find out when your variety of choice is available.
On the menu: Cinnamon-sugar apple crisp doughnuts, fruit pies, apple fritters, blackberry cobblers and pumpkin bars are available in the bakery and by preorder. Head to the Country Store for Curtis Orchard honey, apple butter, apple cider and more. For a full meal, the Flying Monkey offers hearty dishes, including cider pulled pork, Italian beef and chicken and dumplings.
Cost: U-pick pricing starts at $9 per person for a quarter-peck bag, which holds about 8-10 apples. Kids 3 and under are free with paid parent or guardian, no bag included.
Edwards Orchard
7061 Centerville Road, Poplar Grove; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Through Nov. 29.
While some orchards are struggling this season due to turbulent weather during early spring, this fourth-generation family-owned farm has 50,000 apple trees featuring more than 30 varieties and plenty of fruit to go around.
“We are fortunate in that we have frost protection in the form of giant fans in the field,” said co-owner Andy Smith. “We have a huge crop out there.” That includes fan favorites like Honeycrisp and CrimsonCrisp, as well as Smith’s favorite: EverCrisp. “It’s a perfect combination between sweet with a bit of tart and it’s our best keeper when it comes to firmness and taste.”
New this year: Made from cedar planks, a new maze has been installed in the orchard’s play area. Additionally, there are antique John Deere tractors and some wagons, which provide tours of the orchard. “Here we lean more on producing excellent apples, making great doughnuts, creating memories and sharing traditions with guests,” said Smith. “It’s not so much about the activities; it’s more about the feeling.”
Animal encounters: There are friendly goats, some chickens and one rotund Highland calf named Otis whose appetite is renowned.
On the menu: There are apple cider doughnuts made fresh daily, while those looking for heartier fare can visit the Cider Cellar for pulled-pork sandwiches and warm apple pie a la mode. The farm market offers homemade apple butter, jams and fresh fudge along with seasonal apple ciders.
Pro tip: Can’t decide? Stop by the sample tables to taste as well as ask the orchard experts questions like what’s a good pie apple versus what’s a good sauce apple.
Cost: $49 per half bushel for up to six individuals, plus a $5 basket deposit.
Honey Hill Orchard
11783 Waterman Road, Waterman; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Through Oct. 31
Honey Hill Orchard offers a “laid-back and quiet country atmosphere,” co-owner Brittany Richey said. “What makes us special is we’ve been able to stay small and keep it simple. This is a place for folks to relax and experience Mother Nature.” On the weekends, wagon rides to the orchard and pumpkin patch, weather permitting, add to the farm-life experience. With nearly 40 different varieties of apples, Honey Hill’s most popular offerings include Gala and Honeycrisp.
Animal encounters: Petting zoo animals include a donkey, goats, sheep, chickens and rabbits. Towering over the other animals, Eddy the Belgian Draft horse is hard to miss, said Richey. You can buy food to offer the animals, but Richey notes that they appreciate apples and doughnuts, too. The children’s play area features a straw maze to explore.
On the menu: All of the orchard favorites like apple cider doughnuts, cider slushies, homemade caramel apples, freshly pressed apple cider and apple pies are available. The apple cider doughnut sundae is a must-try, according to Richey. On the weekends, food trucks, offering a diverse lineup of fare ranging from tacos and barbecue to ribeye sandwiches, pull up from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pro tip: U-pick pumpkins and raspberries and the orchard’s own honey are also available. The farm’s sunflower patch makes a great backdrop for a family photo. Take note: Sunflower season came early this year but pre-cut sunflowers are for sale.
Cost: $13 per person for a quarter-peck bag and includes a weekend-only orchard wagon ride.
Kuipers Family Farm
1N145 Watson Road, Maple Park; hours vary throughout the season until Nov. 25. Check the website for days and hours. (For weekly updated apple varieties, call 815-827-5200.)
In 1998, when Wade and Kim Kuipers opened their 71-acre farm, its pumpkin patch was the star. Now 230 acres, it’s a seasonal farm boasting 45 apple varieties. This season, don’t delay your apple-picking outing. “Due to the warm spring weather we experienced, our apples are ripening several weeks earlier than usual this year and we encourage guests who want to experience u-pick apple picking to visit early in the season,” said Joe Kuipers, general manager of the farm and son of Wade and Kim. “It’s shaping up to be a beautiful crop, but the picking window may be shorter than in a typical year.”
Pumpkins: The Pumpkin FunFarm is open through Nov. 1 for visitors to pick their gourds and enjoy outdoor activities, including corn and bale mazes, jumping pillow, mountain slide, farm animals, hay wagon rides, apple blaster, giant corn box, live music, food trucks, adult beverages and more.
Let them entertain you: On the weekends, Kuipers hosts live music and bands. There are also pig races (with an apple cider doughnut as the grand prize), adult beverages from the Farmyard bar and a variety of food trucks on the Pumpkin FunFarm.
Cost: Customers can purchase tickets online for $14.99 per person for weekends and holidays; select weekday tickets may be purchased at the gate for $11.99 each. Admission includes a quarter-peck bag of apples per person; kids under 2 are free but don’t get an apple bag. Pumpkin FunFarm admission starts at $19.99 per person.
Jonamac Orchard
19412 Shabbona Road, Malta; daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Through mid-October. The farm is open until Nov. 25.
With a pumpkin patch, corn maze, petting zoo, wine and hard cider, this family-owned and operated orchard offers something for every member of the family to enjoy. The four-generational family operation has been in business since 1984, when Gerald and Mary Lynn McArtor purchased a farm from the Johnson family, changing the name to “Jonamac” in honor of the families.
Jonamac prides itself on using sustainable practices, from encouraging natural predators and pollinators to practicing crop rotation and utilizing cover crops.
“We are very lucky that we weathered all the frosts this spring, so we have about 80% of our crop available,” said Gabri Zmich, guest relations manager.
Action-packed weekends: Pony rides are on offer, but for the adventurous, guests can ride a camel on weekends. There are also duck races, apple cannons, a corn maze and more. Apple tokens are required for some activities. Private party firepits can be rented, providing a landing spot for groups and proximity to the live music on the weekends. Visit the Cider House for homemade hard cider and apple wine, available to take home too.
Crop news: Leaning into sustainability, Jonamac doesn’t include Honeycrisps in its pick-your-own activity, although they are available in the store. “We know that’s everyone’s favorite, but we’re trying to protect those trees,” said Zmich. She recommends Pazazz apples instead. “They’re beautiful to look at and delicious too. We think they’re even better than Honeycrisps.”
Pro tip: Sign up for Apple Alerts on Jonamac’s website for updates on when your favorites are available. To beat the crowds, visit in the morning or late afternoon, Zmich recommended.
Cost: Visiting the store and bakery is free, but buying a general admission ticket is required on weekends and holidays to visit the activity area, which includes access to the cider house, orchard, flower field and pumpkin patch. Buy online for a $2 discount. A bag also must be purchased to pick apples; pricing for u-pick starts at $16 for a half-peck. Up to four people per picking bag.
Beyond Illinois
Apple Holler
5006 South Sylvania Ave., Sturtevant, Wisconsin; orchard and farm park open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Through early November, weather permitting.
Located about 90 minutes north of Chicago, Apple Holler offers not only 40-plus varieties of the fruit, but also plums, nectarines, pears and peaches for picking during the season. The family farm began in 1987 when Dave and Vicki Flannery bought the then-abandoned orchard. The couple began planting trees and flipped the milking barn into a bakery. Nearly 40 years later, the Flannerys continue to run the farm.
Animal encounters: This summer the farm welcomed 15 baby goats, said manager Elyse Muchka. On the weekend, the farm offers pony rides along with rubber duck races. There’s a chicken coop too.
Adults only: On the weekends, Apple Holler has a beer garden that features hard ciders and craft beers on tap as well as Bloody Marys and mimosas along with live music.
On the menu: A new weekend drip-and-doughnuts trailer features specialty lattes like pumpkin spice and apple cider, handcrafted cookies and doughnuts, all made on-site. Food stands offer pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, brats and more. The orchard additionally offers a small farm store. During the week, head to Red Barn Restaurant for heartier fare like steak and eggs, prime rib French dip and chicken pot pie.
Autumn activities: Kids can explore an “enchanted forest” where there are a number of characters in the trees. The family fun park features a corn maze, giant slides and pedal karts. New this year is a bubble hut. Learn about the apple varieties and the farm’s growing process while taking the tractor-drawn train ride to the orchard. “The education part is fun here, too,” said Muchka.
Cost: U-pick pricing starts at $26 per person for a quarter-peck bag and includes a tractor-drawn train tour of the orchard family farm and enchanted forest and all-day access to the Kids Korral Play Area.
County Line Orchard
200 S. County Line Road, Hobart, Indiana; Big Barn open daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; attractions open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Through Nov. 1.
Located in Hobart, Indiana, about an hour southwest from Chicago is County Line Orchard. Known for its annual corn maze, the orchard went viral in 2024 after revealing a maze in the shape of WNBA star Caitlin Clark. This year’s maze, “Fifty Nifty Apples States,” features a map of the U.S. and is a celebration of apples across the country, what makes them special and the stories behind. County Line features a selection of nearly 30 apple varieties alongside pumpkins and sunflowers for picking. Kids of all ages will appreciate the Moo Choo, a unique Farmall Cub tractor and cart combo that travels around the farm. This year, apples available for picking are limited due to spring frosts and summer storms, but fresh apples are available in the Big Barn.
Animal encounters: The kids farm features chickens, goats, pigs and a donkey. Check out County Line’s bee yurts, which help make the apple orchard possible via pollination.
On the menu: In the Brat Barn, try the seasonally inspired Harvest Brat (beer brat, sauerkraut, apple butter and brown mustard). For those who like it hot, there’s also a spicy brat with Flaming Hot Cheetos and candied jalapenos. The Kitchen Restaurant offers homemade Orchard Bowls, with options like meatballs and fried chicken paired with mashed potatoes, gravy and corn.
Cost: Admission without apple picking begins at $5 with free admission for children 2 and under. Pick or pack apples are $2 a pound.
Peck & Bushel Organic Fruit Company
5454 County Road Q, Colgate, Wisconsin; open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Through the end of October.
This family farm northwest of Milwaukee was runner-up in USA Today’s vote for the best apple orchard in the nation. “We’re the largest certified organic apple orchard for pick your own in the upper Midwest,” said Jenny Fahey. “We like to think of ourselves as more of a specialty place. It’s not just apple picking but really being in nature.” The farm boasts over 50,000 dwarf apple and fruit trees over 80 acres, which are grown on a trellis system similar to a vineyard making for the fruit easier to grow.
On the menu: At its on-site bakery, choose from specialties like apple cider slushies (made from Peck & Bushel’s own organic cider), apple sticky bread, cream puff apple cider doughnuts and gourmet caramel apples. The Cidery, Peck & Bushel’s wedding venue, features a selection of sandwiches, including apple fritter ham and cheese, turkey apple brie and Italian grinders. Wraps, salads and a small kids menu round out the menu, along with adult beverages. Enjoy it all outside, where “there’s a great porch that looks out onto the orchard,” said Fahey.
What’s in store: In addition to pre-picked apples, baked goods, jams, jellies and freshly pressed organic cider, the store includes home goods, gifts and kid-centric items. During the first few weekends in October, be on the lookout for organic cranberries from a local purveyor along with cranberry-focus baked goods and beverages.
Pro tip: No reservations are needed at the orchard, but Fahey says there’s no need to worry about having to wait to get in. She recommends waiting out the early crowds and arriving an hour later at 11 a.m.
Cost: U-pick pricing starts at $12 for a quarter-peck bag.
