Heading out to the apple orchard is the most iconic tradition to welcome in the season. Not only do you get to make some memories with your favorite people, but you get to take home some pretty delicious prizes. Whether you want to whip up your own apple butter or just eat honeycrisp after raw honeycrisp, a trip to the orchard is something that will pay off for the next week, at least! As a Springfield milestone photographer, I love working with families to make sure they have a way to remember each and every season. If you are looking for the best apple orchards in Springfield, IL, here are the ones I always recommend!
Families Delight In The Autumn Fun At These Apple Orchards In Springfield, IL
Jefferies Orchard
1016 Jefferies Rd, Springfield, Illinois 62707
No matter what you are looking for, I know that Jefferies Orchard is going to have it! They’re open each day, selling homegrown squash, pears, cabbage, and of course, apples. You can even purchase raw honey from three local beekeepers! When you head out for their U-Pick apple days in Springfield, IL, you will be able to wander through the orchards and find varieties like Golden Delicious, Crimson Crisp, Pixie Crunch, Honeycrisp, and Jonathan. And if you’re really wild about apples, be sure to come in during the first weekend of October for their annual Apple Fest, complete with kids’ activities, face painting, and tons of apple-themed desserts.
Apple Barn
2290 East Walnut Street, Chatham, Illinois 62629
At Apple Barn, growing delicious apples is their passion! While this apple orchard does not offer a U-Pick service to the Springfield, IL public, they still know how to bring a personalized experience each time you stop in. You can come in at the end of August for galas, followed by honey crisps, Jonathans, and Empires throughout early September. Their growing season goes all the way through late October (or until all the apples are gone!). During your visit, be sure to stop by the bakery where you can try donuts, cookies, muffins, and so much more!
Okaw Valley Orchard
724 County Road 1750 N., Sullivan, Illinois 61951
Okaw Valley Orchard is a family-run spot that has been around for four generations. They have hundreds of trees full of fruit throughout every season. They regularly update their social media so you can follow along and plan your visits around what’s currently growing. From there, you can purchase your bag from the farm and head out to the orchard to pick as much fruit as you’d like! This scenic farm offers so much beyond just the orchards. They have picnic tables overlooking the orchard, an on-site playground, a bakery, and a country store with seasonal decorations.
Broom Orchard
12803 Broom Road, Carlinville, Illinois 62626
Broom Orchard is a historical Springfield, IL area apple farm that dates back to 1920. Throughout each autumn, the farm seems to come alive with free events your entire family will love. They have a playground and a corn maze, perfect for all ages. Once apple season comes around, they host an annual apple festival where you can swing by and enjoy tons of apple-themed treats and activities. They open up their fields for U-Pick around Labor Day and will tell you what they have in season if you give them a call. They also offer a pumpkin patch as well as bushels of pre-picked peaches.
Curtis Orchard!
3902 S Duncan Rd, Champaign, Illinois 61822
Even if you’ve never visited Curtis Orchard, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve seen the name before. This famous Champaign farm dates back to 1977 and has become a crucial tradition for families all across the Illinois area. You can catch their apple cider at Schnucks, plus their decadent apple butter is available all over town. If you want to try the apples that go into their products, you can plan a visit around the end of January. The farm offers free admission, plus you can check out activities, including a corn maze, a petting zoo, and tractor rides that will get you where you need to be!
Christ Orchard
4317 North Texas Road, Elmwood, Illinois 61519
Christ Orchard has been growing apples for over 4 decades just outside Springfield, IL. What started out as a way to help the local high school’s FFA chapter soon became a favorite tradition for families all across the Springfield area. Their U-Pick season starts in September and runs all the way through the middle of October. When you arrive, you will pay for your bag, and then you can fill it up as much as you’d like. They will provide wagons so you can get your finds to your car once the fun is over. You can also swing by for mums, squash, pure honey, and u-pick pumpkins.
Tanners Orchard
740 IL-40, Speer, Illinois 61479
Tanners Orchard is on a mission to give you family memories that will last for the rest of your life. Each September, they go all out, opening up their orchard to the public. They have over 11,000 trees on the lot, with 17 varieties of apples you can pick from. They also devote 20 acres of their farm to growing pumpkins and a few other fruits and veggies. That’s not all this property has to offer, however. They have a petting zoo with farm animals, fields of sunflowers, a corn maze to navigate with your crew, and so much more!
Eckert’s
951 S Green Mt Rd, Belleville, Illinois 62220
If you don’t mind a scenic drive down to Belleville, I really think you are going to love Eckert’s. This has become a staple for families all across the metro St. Louis area, and they just keep getting better! Throughout the weekends, you can stop by for live music, delicious food, and cider (both hard and non-alcoholic!). To get to their orchards, you’ll hop aboard a wagon and take a ride across the property. Their varieties include Evercrisps, SunCrisps, Braeburns, Pixie Crunches, and so many more. Be sure to get an apple cider (or three) while you’re there!
Your Little Ones Will Love Choosing Their Own Apples At These Wonderful Apple Orchards In Springfield, IL
If you are looking for the best way to welcome the fall season, these apple orchards in Springfield, IL have you covered. Plan your visit today so you don’t have to miss out on any of the fun!
Do you need more ways to make this season last a little longer? Then why not plan some family photos? As a Springfield milestone photographer, I love working with my clients to make sure they can remember every moment, no matter how small. If you want to see if I’m the photographer for your family, let’s chat about it! Send me a message today to find out more!
