Looking for a perfect fall outing?
These 11 apple orchards in Illinois offer more than just fresh fruit, with fun activities and scenic views that make for an unforgettable experience!
1. Camps Orchard (Roseville)
Nestled in the heart of Roseville, Camps Orchard is like the shy kid at school who turns out to be the coolest once you get to know them.
As you stroll down the grassy lanes between apple trees, you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled into a secret garden.
The orchard’s charm lies in its simplicity—no fancy frills, just row after row of apple trees stretching as far as the eye can see.
Don’t let the laid-back vibe fool you.
These folks know their apples like I know my way around a buffet (which is to say, expertly).
From crisp Honeycrisps to tart Granny Smiths, they’ve got a variety for every palate.
And if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the legendary “Apple Whisperer”—okay, I made that up, but wouldn’t it be cool if there was one?
2. Edwards Apple Orchard West (Winnebago)
If Willy Wonka traded in his chocolate factory for an apple orchard, it might look something like Edwards Apple Orchard West.
This place is the Disneyland of apple picking, minus the long lines and overpriced mouse ears.
The moment you step foot on the property, you’re hit with the intoxicating aroma of fresh apple cider donuts.
It’s like a warm, cinnamon-sugar hug for your nose.
As you wander through the orchard, you’ll find apple trees so laden with fruit, they look like they’re doing the limbo.
But the real showstopper?
Their apple cider slushies.
It’s like someone took fall, blended it up, and served it in a cup.
Refreshing, delicious, and guaranteed to give you the world’s most delightful brain freeze.
3. Kuipers Family Farm (Maple Park)
Kuipers Family Farm is the kind of place that makes you want to quit your day job and become an apple farmer.
With its picturesque white barn and rows upon rows of apple trees, it’s like stepping into a Norman Rockwell painting—if Norman Rockwell had a thing for really good apples.
The farm offers a hayride tour that’s part transportation, part comedy show.
The tour guides crack jokes drier than a two-day-old apple fritter but in the best possible way.
And speaking of fritters, their apple cider donuts are so good, they should probably be illegal.
Or at least come with a warning label: “Caution: May cause spontaneous happy dances.”
4. Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch (Champaign)
Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch is like the Swiss Army knife of fall attractions.
Apple picking? Check.
Pumpkin patch? You bet.
Corn maze? Naturally.
It’s as if autumn exploded and all the best bits landed in one convenient location.
Their apple cannon is a particular highlight.
For a small fee, you can launch apples at targets, fulfilling childhood dreams you didn’t even know you had.
It’s like playing Angry Birds, but with real apples and without the guilt of screen time.
And let’s not forget their petting zoo, where you can make friends with goats who have clearly never met a sweater they didn’t want to eat.
It’s a great place to practice your goat yoga, or just stand there awkwardly while a goat judges your life choices.
5. Jonamac Orchard (Malta)
Jonamac Orchard is the cool kid on the block of Illinois apple orchards.
With a name that sounds like a hip new Apple product (iMac, youMac, we all Mac for Jonamac), this orchard doesn’t just rest on its apple laurels.
Their corn maze is so intricate, it makes crop circles look like child’s play.
Pro tip: bring breadcrumbs, or you might be wandering in there until the next apple season.
And if you’re feeling brave, check out their haunted corn maze at night.
Nothing says “fall fun” quite like being chased by a chainsaw-wielding scarecrow while clutching a bag of freshly picked apples.
But the real star of the show is their hard cider.
It’s like they took all the best parts of fall, fermented them, and put them in a bottle.
Just remember: apple picking first, hard cider tasting second.
Trust me on this one.
6. All Seasons Orchard (Woodstock)
Don’t let the name fool you—All Seasons Orchard really shines in fall.
It’s like the orchard equivalent of a mood ring, changing its colors and offerings with the seasons.
But autumn? That’s when it really puts on a show.
Their apple picking experience is top-notch, with dwarf trees that make reaching for that perfect apple less of an Olympic sport and more of a leisurely stroll.
It’s perfect for those of us who consider reaching the top shelf at the grocery store our daily workout.
The real gem here is their apple cider.
Watching it being pressed is like seeing a magic show, except instead of pulling a rabbit out of a hat, they’re extracting liquid gold from apples.
And the taste? It’s like fall decided to throw a party in your mouth and everyone was invited.
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But here’s the catch – the orchard is closed for the season.
They’ve packed up all the apples, and the donuts have gone into hibernation.
But don’t worry, they’ll be back next fall, ready for more family fun and maybe a little bit of getting lost in that corn maze again.
7. Honey Hill Orchard (Waterman)
Honey Hill Orchard is the kind of place that makes you want to use words like “quaint” and “charming” without a hint of irony.
It’s small, it’s family-owned, and it’s got more heart than a cardiologist’s waiting room.
Their apple barn is a treasure trove of all things apple.
Apple butter, apple jelly, apple salsa—if you can think of it, they’ve probably apple-fied it.
It’s like they’re on a mission to prove that an apple a day not only keeps the doctor away but also makes for a pretty fantastic pantry.
Let’s talk about their honey.
Produced right there on the farm, it’s the kind of sweet that makes you wonder why you ever bothered with processed sugar.
Drizzle it on some apple slices, and you’ve got a snack that’s so wholesome, it could make a health food store blush.
Right now, Honey Hill Orchard is closed for the season.
They’ll be back in September 2025, ready to fill your baskets and your bellies.
Go ahead and mark that down, because once it reopens, it’s all about crisp apples, homemade treats, and just that perfect fall feeling.
8. Royal Oak Farm Orchard (Harvard)
Royal Oak Farm Orchard is the Hogwarts of apple orchards.
With over 17,000 apple trees and 30 varieties, it’s like they’ve cast an Engorgio charm on a regular orchard.
You half expect to see wizards zooming around on broomsticks, picking apples mid-flight.
Their piece de resistance is the world’s only apple tree maze.
Yes, you read that right—a maze made entirely of apple trees.
It’s like they looked at a regular corn maze and said, “Hold my cider.”
Getting lost has never been so delicious.
And if you’re feeling peckish after all that maze-wandering, their apple cider donuts are the stuff of legend.
Rumor has it that one bite can cure homesickness, mend broken hearts, and solve world peace.
Okay, maybe not, but they’re pretty darn good.
9. Eckert’s Orchard (Belleville)
Eckert’s Orchard is like the overachiever of the apple orchard world.
Not content with just apples, they’ve got peaches, pumpkins, and Christmas trees too.
It’s like they’re gunning for the title of “Nature’s One-Stop Shop.”
Their apple picking is a choose-your-own-adventure experience.
Want to ride a tractor to the orchard? They’ve got you covered.
Prefer to walk? Go for it.
Want to be catapulted directly into the trees? Well, they don’t offer that, but points for creativity.
But the real magic happens in their country store.
It’s like Santa’s workshop, if Santa was really into locally-sourced produce and homemade pies.
Their apple butter is so good, you’ll be tempted to use it as a face mask.
(Pro tip: Don’t. It’s sticky and attracts bees.)
10. Boggio’s Orchard and Produce (Granville)
Boggio’s Orchard and Produce is the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a Hallmark movie about fall.
It’s got all the requisite charm, plus a few surprises up its sleeve.
Their apple picking is top-notch, but the real star is their pumpkin cannon.
Yes, you read that right.
For a small fee, you can launch a pumpkin across a field, fulfilling dreams you didn’t even know you had.
It’s like playing Fruit Ninja in real life, minus the risk of slicing your fingers off.
And let’s not forget their corn maze, which is so vast and intricate, it should come with its own GPS.
Pro tip: Don’t enter unless you’ve got a full phone battery and a good sense of humor.
You might be in there for a while.
Boggio’s Orchard and Produce in Granville is the kind of place that just makes you smile.
But here’s the thing – it’s closed for the season.
They’re taking a little break but don’t worry, they’ll be back when the leaves start turning again.
11. Tanners Orchard (Speer)
Last but certainly not least, we have Tanners Orchard, the grand finale in our apple orchard extravaganza.
This place is like the Swiss Army knife of fall fun—it’s got everything you could possibly want, and then some.
Their apple picking is stellar, but the real magic happens in their bakery.
Their apple pies are so good, they make you question every other pie you’ve ever eaten.
It’s like they’ve discovered the secret formula for flaky crust and perfectly spiced filling.
If math teachers used these pies to explain fractions, we’d all be geometry geniuses by now.
And don’t even get me started on their petting zoo.
The goats here have more personality than most reality TV stars.
They’re like the welcoming committee, greeting you with a chorus of bleats and an attempt to eat your shoelaces.
So there you have it, folks—11 apple orchards that prove Illinois isn’t just the Land of Lincoln, it’s the Land of Really Great Apples.
Now go forth and pick, eat, and be merry.
Just remember: an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but 11 orchards’ worth might require a forklift and a very understanding physician.