Apple Orchards, Corn Mazes: Chicago-Area 2019 Guide

ILLINOIS — It's time to say good-bye to summer. And sure, it's sad. But, we all know how much Chicago-area families also love our next season, fall, which officially starts Sept. 23.

The season brings with it cooler weather and a chance to stop out to one of the Chicago area's many apple orchards and corn mazes, which are also jam-packed with kid-friendly activities. It's a must for many to make at least one stop out to during the fall season.

• Best Chicago-Area Pumpkin Patches 2019
• Fall Foliage Peak Map 2019: When Autumn Leaves Are Best In Illinois

Patch has compiled a list of some of the best apple orchards in the Chicago area and family friendly fall attractions. Some offer a little bit of everything for fall fun, including hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin-eating dinosaurs (WOAH!), apple cider, apple cider donuts, corn mazes, pumpkin picking and much more. Others stick to the basics and provide their customers with you-pick orchards where they can get the freshest apples.

Be sure to call ahead or check the orchard's website to clarify hours of operation or to check for availability of apples and other produce.

McHenry County

All Seasons Apple Orchard

• Address: 14510 IL Route 176 in Woodstock
• Season dates: Aug. 31-Nov. 2
• Details: The orchard features an apple orchard, pumpkin patch (pumpkins available starting late September) and corn maze. Activities include a 10-acre corn maze, jumping pillow, pedal karts, mini zip line, park, etc. The pumpkin patch opens in mid-September.
• Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and Columbus Day
• Cost: Cost to the apple orchard is $9.50 per person for a 1/4 peck bag. Tickets to the barnyard, which are $10 per person on a weekday and $15 per person on weekends and on holidays, include 30 activities.
• Phone: (815) 338-5637

More via the the All Season website

Prairie Sky Orchard

• Address: 4914 N. Union Road, Union
• Season dates: Due to weather conditions, tentative date for U-Pick opening is Sept. 20. Bagged apples (Gala, McIntosh, Paula Reds, Goldens and honey crisp while they last)
• Hours of Operation: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
• Phone: 815-923-4834
• Cost: Free parking and admission.
• Details: More details and information on the you-pick crop can be found on Prairie Sky's website.

Richardson's Adventure Farm

• Address: 909 English Prairie Road in Spring Grove
• Season date: Sept. 7
• Hours of operation: 3 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 14. On Friday the 13th and Saturday, Sept. 14, the Adventure Farm Grounds and corn maze are open until midnight for Full Moon Weekend. The maze is also open until midnight on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11 and 12.
• Details: The 28-acre maze —which the farm touts as the world's largest — opened Sept. 7. This year's theme celebrates the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 – the first time man walked on the moon. Along with the maze, there's a 700-foot zip line and 50-foot observation tour; ORBiting, which involves riding in side a giant 11-foot ball; live pig races; jumping pillows; giant slides, pedal carts and wagon rides; and campfires. Pick-your-own pumpkins also available.
• Cost: Prices vary by event. Check the farm's website.

More information via Richardson's Adventure Farm website.

Royal Oak Farm Orchard

• Address: 15908 Hebron Road in Harvard
• Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 pm. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 31. U-Pick hours vary; check the website.
• Phone: 815-648-4141
• Details: The orchard has a large variety of apples available. For crop updates, visit the Royal Oak crop website. The orchard's entertainment has a train, carousel, hay ride, orchard tour rides and apple tree maze. Tokens are available for purchase for the activities at $3 per token. Please check for operating hours of all rides.
• Cost: Costs vary; see the full list on the website.

More information via the Royal Oak Farm website.

Note: Lang's Orchard in Woodstock says it will be closed for the 2019 season. Woodstock County Orchard will also be closed for 2019. More than Delicious Orchard has closed permanently.

• Area Apple Orchards Will Not Open After Tough Winter, Spring

Lake County

Heinz Orchard

• Address: 1050 Crest Road, Green Oaks
• Season Start: Opening day was set for Sept. 13 but has been delayed due to flooding. Check back for updates.
• Hours of Operation: Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
• Phone: 847-770-3449
• Cost: No admission or parking fees. 1/2 peck pie or sauce apples: $5; 1 peck $10. Cash only.

More information via the Heinz Orchard website.

Goebbert's Farm and Garden Center

• Address: 40 W. Higgins Road in South Barrington
• Season start: Goebbert's Fall Festival opens on Sept. 14 and runs through Halloween.
• Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (no tickets sold after 5:30 p.m.)
• Activities include a giraffe barn, pumpkin-eating dino, pig racing, pony rides, camel rides, wagon ride, little farmer's play yard, corn stalk maze, pumpkin eating dinosaur, the pumpkin tunnel, climbing trucks and cut outs, corn box, corn hole game, ring toss game and more. Goebbert's also has its Red Barn Cafe & Bakery for some tasty treats, including Apple Cider Donuts and Pumpkin cookies.
• Cost: There is free parking and no general admission cost. Prices vary for admission to the Animal Land and Little Farmer's Playland. Tickets include wagon rides and cost $16.99 on the weekends and Columbus Day and $12.99 Monday through Friday. There is an additional charge for some activities at Goebbert's.

More via the Goebbert's Farm and Garden Center website.

Kane County

Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard Pingree Grove

• Address: 42W813 Reinking Road in Pingree Grove
• Season dates: Sept. 13 through Halloween
• Hours of operation: Goebbert's fall festival is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, U-Pick is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
• Details: Haunted house, kiddie play land, straw maze, singing chickens, a pumpkin-eating dinosaur, pedla carts, animal land with a giraffe barn and pig family, pig family, pumpkin cannon and more.
• Apples, pumpkins and produce: Besides pumpkins, Goebbert's has farm fresh squash, potatoes, apples and gourds to name a few. Also, there are homemade caramel apples, freshly popped kettle corn, apple cider and so much more. In addition to the delicious foods, you can find a variety of crafts and gifts for your home or a special gift. Goebbert's doesn't offer apple picking as its own activity, but guests can choose to pay for apple bags and pick apples in addition to their Fall Festival admission.
• Cost: There is free parking. General admission tickets cost $12.99 per person Monday through Friday; $16.99 per person Saturdays, Sundays, Labor Day and Columbus Day. $11.99 for seniors get in for $11.99, free for kids age 2 and younger.

More via the Goebbert's website.

DeKalb County

Kuipers Family Farm

• Address: 1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park
• Hours of operation: Monday though Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Details: Corn mazes, tractor train, pig races, jumping pillow, haunted forest, tractor tire mountain, mountain slide, duck races and more.
• Apples and pumpkins: Pumpkins available Sept. Sept. 21; Honey Crisp apples availbale while they last starting Sept. 14, Jonathan apples Sept. 15.
• Admission: $11.99 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, $13.99 on Thursday and Friday, $15.99 on weekends and Columbus Day, 2 years old and under are free and $7.99 Senior & Military w/ID
• Phone: 815-827-5200

More details via Kupiers Family Farm

Will County

Apples on Oak

• Address: 16146 W. Oak Avenue, Lockport
• Hours of operation: Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Details: U-Pick is closed f0r 2019; Apples on Oak is selling 45-minute picking sessions, $120 for six people. Email applesonoak@aol.com to schedule a time.
• Phone: 815-726-0386

More information via the Apples on Oak website

Note: Garden Patch Farms and Orchard in Homer Glen is permanently closed.

Indiana Orchards

County Line Orchard

• Address: 200 S .County Line Road, Hobart, Indiana
• Season dates: through Oct. 31
• Hours of Operation: UPick and attractions are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The orchard's big barn is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Phone: 219-947-4477
• Details: Attraction include a kids farm, moo choo, a big barn, bee yurts, corn maze, peter the pumpkin eating dino, barnyard jams, campfire, food in the kitchen and a daily grill.
• Cost: Varies by variety; check the website. $1 U-Pick general admission. More info on events and passes on the website.

More information via County Line Orchard website.

Wisconsin Orchards

Harvest Times Orchard

• Address: 36116 128th St., Twin Lakes, Wis. (near the Illinois-Wisconsin state line)
• Season dates: through Oct. 27
• Hours of Operation: Hours vary for different attractions at the farm. Get details on the orchard's website. Closed Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.
• Phone: 262-877-4831
• Details: Pick-your-own apples and pumpkins and a variety of items for sale, cider barn, Sweet Shoppe, donut shop and more.

More via Harvest Times Orchard website.

Apple Barn Orchard and Winery

• Address: W6384 Sugar Creek Rd., Elkhorn, WI
• Season dates: Fall hours began after Labor Day
• Hours of operation: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Monday.
• Phone: 262-728-3266
• Details: You-pick apples, a winery, country store and bakery. Apple varieties available listed on the website.

More information via the Apple Barn Orchard and Winery.

Apple Holler

• Address: 5006 S Sylvania Ave., Sturtevant, WI 53177
• Season start: Aug. 28; picking season varies based on apple variety. Pumpkin season starts in October.
• Hours of Operation: The orchard is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday
• Phone: 262-884-7100
• Details: Apple and pumpkin picking festival, gemstone and fossil mining, hay rides, meals served at the Red Barn Restaurant and a Country Store and Bakery.
• Cost: Free parking along Frontage Road at your own risk; paid parking in September and October. Picking packages start at at $15.

More via the Apple Holler website.

Did we forget to mention your favorite apple orchard, corn maze or other area business that provides fall fun for the family? Let us know in the comments.