Can anyone recommend an apple orchard that would make a fun family day? I would prefer to have one that is closer to the IL/IN border so we can include some other family members but am open to hearing about any.
We have always loved Edwards Apple Orchard in Poplar Grove, best apple cider and donuts anywhere!!! Another good one is Apple Holler in Kenosha. Both have activities for the kids, good food and delicious apples! I know not really in the location you were thinking but I thought they were worth a mention.
My family enjoys Honey Hill Orchard in Waterman, IL (out towards DeKalb, IL). They have homemade doughnuts, apple pies, a tractor ride out to the areas being picked, u-pick rasberries, u-pick apples, picnic tables, cider, petting zoo. You will want to check their web site and/or call for what is being picked before going there.
T., I don't know any on the border, but there are two out our way! There is Kuipers in maple park. It is just west of the st. charles/geneva area. they have apples, pumpkin patch, corn maze etc. It is just off Keslinger Road and located just south of Route 38.
Also, there is an orchard further west in Waterman. you can travel out the I88 tollway, exit for sugar grove and travel on route 56/30 straight there. there is also a winery located just down the road from the orchard.
Both orchards have a little shop for jellies, etc. and both sell apple cider donuts. the donuts at the Kuiper Orchard are a little tasier!
My family and friends also enjoy Honey Hill Orchard, It's worth the drive. The best part is the tractor/hay rides are free, you can see the animals and enjoy everything, the only thing you pay for is the food/fruit...etc. have fun be ready to take lots of pictures!
I highly recommend Kuipers Family farm. They have a lot of activities; you could easily spend all day there. There's the pumkin farm with store, large play area with lots of animals then across the street theres the apple orchard with another store, apple cider and to die for donuts. It's been our family favorite place for 5 years now. There is always something new and different. They are located on Watson Rd between Rt 38 and Keslinger just west of Elburn (Rt 47). Have fun!!!
We go to Big Dan's in Michigan
County line Orchard in Hobart, IN! Its the best. Have gone every year since my son was born. In the fall not only do they have the apple trees, but a petting zoo, tractor rides, pumpkins, apple doughnuts. Its about an hour and half from Plainfield. Every year we get awesome pictures and use them for our holiday cards!
http://www.countylineorchard.com/
Follow their directions once you get off the highway though, our GPS gets us lost!
We have been visiting apple orchards yearly since my girls were little and they are now 9 and 11. My absolute favorite is Royal Oak in Harvard, IL. It is well worth the drive even though it is an hour away for me. It is beautiful, huge, and clean. The restaurant has all kinds of homemade food-pot pies, apple donuts, fried chicken, mac and cheese, soups. It has a gift shop, an area for little kids including a train and carousel. They are CLOSED on Sundays so plan accordingly. It is only like $3 per car to get in which I think is worth it because it is such a nice experience and they upkeep their grounds. Normally, I wouldn't pay admission to an orchard because you are buying apples! Check it out!
