The best orchards to go apple picking near Chicago

Driving time from Chicago: About an hour and a half

This family-owned property clocks in at over 105 acres and hosts more than 20,000 apple trees. If you’re curious about where to start, check out the farm’s interactive website to find out what's ripe for the picking and how to best use each apple variety. Make a day of it by taking a walk through the corn maze or booking a private campfire site for your group. Before you pack up the car, wander around the Cider House, which offers an impressive selection of apple wine and hard cider to take home.

Open 9am-5:30pm starting Aug. 26.

Driving time from Chicago: About an hour and 20 minutes

It's right there in the name: In the fall, Goebbert's annual Fall Festival is a one-stop shop for apple and pumpkin picking, plus tons of other themed attractions like a corn maze, giant pumpkin slide, haunted mansion and more.

Open Mon-Wed 8am-6pm; Thu-Sun 8am-9pm from Aug. 21–Oct. 31

Driving time from Chicago: About an hour and a half

This fourth-generation farm in Poplar Grove is home to 50,000 apple trees spread across 100 acres. Here you’ll find over 30 varieties, including Pink Lady, Blondee, Zestar and Granny Smith, plus products like freshly pressed apple cider, apple cider donuts, apple butter and more. 

Opens Aug. 28

Driving time from Chicago: About an hour and a half

This orchard is worth the drive—and it's not too far from Shabbona Lake State Park if you want to make a day of it. You'll find more than two dozen types of apples available for picking, as well as a store stocked with apple cider, doughnuts and other freshly baked treats. Got kiddos at home? They’ll love the orchard’s petting zoo, play area and straw maze. Visit the Honey Hill website for a full list of fall events.

Open Sept. 3, 5, 7, 8: 9-1pm; Sept. 10-Oct 31: daily 9-5:30pm

Driving time from Chicago: About an hour and a half 

You'll want to clear an entire afternoon to wander around this massive Wisconsin orchard. Beyond the obvious (trees overflowing with apples), the property is home to a restaurant, bakery, gift shop and family farm—which means there's no shortage of family-friendly activities. Come fall, be sure to check out the hayrides, apple cider slushies and pumpkin patches.

Open daily 10am–4pm (last admission sold at 3pm)

Driving time from Chicago: About an hour

Forty acres of u-pick apples await you at this beautiful orchard in Hobart, Indiana, but there's a lot more happening beyond the grove. Get lost in a corn maze, feed the goats or pick a pumpkin starting in October. You won't have to go far for food when the kids get cranky: fresh-baked doughnuts, bread, pies and cookies are all available on-site.

Open 8am-6pm starting Sept. 2

Driving time from Chicago: About an hour and a half

This long-running farm in far suburban McHenry has offered apple picking since 2017, after its owners planted and studied thousands of dwarf apple trees over the course of several years. Visitors can reap the benefits of that research via the farm’s bountiful u-pick options, including varieties like Sansa, Orange Cox Pippen, Winecrisp and Goldrush available throughout the harvest season.

Open daily 9am–6pm

Driving time from Chicago: About an hour and a half

Back in 1998, Wade and Kim Kuipers opened their pumpkin patch to the public with a simple mission—to share the pleasures of spending the day on their farm. Today, the operation has grown to include apples, train rides and flower fields, plus an orchard shop and bakery for snagging sweet treats. You can even get married on the picturesque grounds.

Open Sun, Mon 10am-6pm, Wed-Sat 9am–6pm from Aug. 22-Nov. 1; Thu-Sun 10am-5pm from Nov. 5-25

Driving time from Chicago: About an hour

Keller’s Farmstand has two locations in the suburbs, but only the Oswego orchard allows guests to pick their own apples off the trees. Grab varieties like Ruby Mac, EverCrisp and Golden Supreme throughout the season, or enjoy apple cider donuts and pumpkin scones. On weekends, enjoy autumnal activities including a 12-acre corn maze, wagon rides, a kids play area and more. 

Open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm; Sat, Sun 9am-5pm through late October

Driving time from Chicago: About an hour and a half

Surround yourself with more than 15,000 apple and pear trees at this family-run orchard in Woodstock, Illinois. Head straight to the fields for picking, play cornhole with the family or get lost in a 6-acre corn maze. Starting in mid-September, guests can walk through a pumpkin patch and munch on hand-dipped caramel apples and kettle corn.

Open Mon, Wed-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat, Sun 10am-6pm from Aug. 29-Nov. 1

Driving time from Chicago: About an hour and 45 minutes

Royal Oak boasts more than 20,000 trees and 30-plus varieties of apples, so lace up your walking shoes. The orchard provides containers for pick-your-own types, and the store sells donuts, pies, jams and cider. Don’t leave without checking out the farm’s enticing spread of activities—including train rides and a carousel—as well as a Royal Oak specialty: a full-fledged apple tree maze.

Open Mon-Thu 10am-5pm; Fri-Sun 10am-6pm from Aug. 21–Oct. 31.

Driving time from Chicago: About an hour

There's no hoopla at this small family-run orchard in Lake County, so don't expect hayrides, hot cider or a sprawling corn maze for the youngsters. You're here for the apples, after all—rest assured, there are plenty of those. A word to the wise: Be sure to check the farm's website or Facebook page before you visit for upcoming hours and possible closures.