Is there anything more perfect than spending a beautiful fall weekend apple or pumpkin picking? Here is a list of orchards and pumpkin patches around Chicago – or a short drive away – to help you make your plans. Just don’t forget to check the hours and the U-Pick status before you head out.
All Seasons Orchard
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All Seasons Orchard, named one of USA Today’s Top 10 orchards in the nation, offers two maze options: a short path for kiddos and a longer path for the experts. Apples can be picked on the weekends, and pumpkins are ready through Oct. 30. Opening day is Aug. 31, so mark your calendar and get ready for some fall fun. Check their Facebook for updates on apple harvest availability. 14510 Route 176, Woodstock
Didier Farms
Didier’s Pumpkinfest, which runs this year from Sept. 12 to Oct. 27, offers hayrides, pony rides, camel rides, and kiddie rides. 16678 W. Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire
Dollinger Family Farm
This farm offers pumpkins, squash, gourds, mums, a corn maze, farm animals, a haunted barn and cemetery and more. The fall season runs from Sept. 16 to Oct. 30. 7502 E. Hansel Road, Channahon
Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard
Goebbert’s has been family-owned and operated for 74 years. With two locations they offer multiple attractions, including a haunted house, pumpkin cannon, wagon rides and a pumpkin-eating dinosaur. The fall season at the Pingree Grove location kicks off Aug. 23 and runs through Oct. 31.
South Barrington Farm 40 W Higgins Rd, South Barrington
Pingree Grove/Hampshire Farm 42W813 Reinking Road, Hampshire
Heinz Orchard
Visit this orchard for “pure apple-picking fun.” They will have snack-size Jonathan and McIntosh apples available for U-pick. Check the website for the specific opening date, which is listed for sometime in Sept. as of the publication date. 1050 Crest Road, Green Oaks
Kroll’s Fall Harvest Farm
Kroll’s is celebrating over 20 years of farm life this year with its epic corn maze. Visitors can also tour the farm or the petting zoo and pumpkin farm. Open from mid-Sept. through Halloween, with timed entry required for Saturday and Sunday visitors. 13236 W. Townline Road, Waukegan
Kuipers Family Farm
The farm’s fall season begins on Aug. 23! Enjoy a woodland walk, hayriide, the corn and bale mazes, a jumping pillow, and more fun fall activities. Apple varieties include Honey Crisp, Pink Luster, Cortland, Jonathon, Sweet Tango, Gala, and more. 1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park
Odyssey Fun Farm
Odyssey, which opens on Sept. 21, offers a corn maze, cow train, corn cannon, zip lines, a super mega slide, and more. 19111 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park
Richardson Farm
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Not only can you pick the perfect pumpkin, but you can also take a ride down a 100-foot slide before getting lost in the world’s largest corn maze. You can also enjoy the sunflower field, a ride on the train, and more. 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove
Royal Oak Farm Orchard
The Apple Harvest Festival officially starts the season on Aug. 24 and Aug. 25. This U-Pick apple orchard offers 30 varieties of apples, grown from more than 20,000 apple trees! They also have summer and fall raspberries, giant pumpkins, gourds, and squash. The kids will love the petting zoo, free playground, and rides (the rides are available only on weekends.) 15908 Hebron Road, Harvard
Siegel’s Pumpkin Farm
This family farm, open daily from Sept. 21 through Oct. 31, has a pumpkin fest with hayrides, barnyard animals, a spooky shed, a café, and a shop. Visitors will find 49 attractions and activities, 13 food and beverage vendors, and 200 farm animals. 17250 S. Weber Road, Crest Hill
Windy Acres Farm
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The Windy Acres Farms Fall Fest runs from Sept. 14 through Oct. 31. Besides U-Pick apples, Windy Acres Farm has attractions, including a petting zoo, corn stalk maze, giant jumping pillow, and mini golf. 37W446 Fabyan Parkway, Geneva
More from Better:
- 7 Apple Cider Cocktails That Scream Fall
- 8 Luscious Apple Recipes That Scream Autumn
- Not Your Basic Guide to All Things Pumpkin
Macaire Douglas lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and two sons. She proudly supports Save Abandoned Babies Foundation, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that works tirelessly to prevent the illegal abandonment of newborns nationwide. Since its inception in 2000, more than 3,600 newborns have been safely surrendered and adopted into loving homes.
