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People Gathered chatting and drinking outside the farm house

Farms & Orchards in Illinois

Illinois' orchards and farms serve up way more than just fresh produce. Here, find out what they have to offer.

We've got a rich tradition of family farms and orchards. What do you think about plucking the juiciest apple straight from the tree? Or finding that perfect pumpkin for your front porch? Or getting lost (on purpose) in a twisting corn maze? Our farms and orchards are jam-packed with as much fun as they are flavor. 

From the crunch of fall leaves to the scent of pine at Christmas, Illinois farms are a feast for your senses all year round. So round up your friends, summon your adventurous spirit, and get ready to make some down-home memories breathing in the fresh country air.

Lots of pumpkins laid out

Illinois Pumpkin Patches

When autumn rolls around, Illinois turns into pumpkin paradise. You'll find pumpkin patches scattered across the state, from small family farms to sprawling autumn wonderlands.

Near Chicago, pumpkin patches offer more than just a chance to pick the perfect jack-o'-lantern. Many farms go all out with corn mazes, hayrides, and apple cider donuts. Some even stay open after dark, turning the daytime delights into spooky adventures for the brave.

Let's help you find your perfect patch.

Discover Illinois' best pumpkin patches
Couple walking down the Jonamac Orchard.

Illinois Apple Orchards

During picking season, Illinois' orchards are brimming with fresh apples, ready for you to gather. Stroll through the trees and fill your basket with varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith.

But there's more to enjoy out there. Many Illinois orchards offer warm apple pies, fresh cider, and even cider donuts to try on-site. Some add to the experience with petting zoos, corn mazes, hayrides, and fall festivals.

Santa Claus sits atop a tractor

Illinois Christmas Tree Farms

At an Illinois Christmas tree farms, finding your holiday tree becomes a memorable tradition.

Wander the rows of evergreens and choose the perfect tree. Be it Fraser fir or Scotch pine, you're sure to find something to fill home with festive cheer and that classic pine scent.

There's often a whole lot more festive atmosphere on offer, too, with hot cocoa, holiday shops, and even sleigh rides. It's a wonderful way to kick off the most wonderful time of the year.

A corn maze with a farm house

Illinois Corn Mazes

Step into an Illinois corn maze and lose yourself in fall fun! Build some classic Midwest memories weaving through towering stalks while hunting for clues.

Each farm's maze tells its own story. You might find a piece of local history, or explore a design that reflects the community. But one part of the story is always the same: the fun!

That fun doesn't end by conquering the maze. Celebrate with a mug of steaming cider, or hop on a tractor ride to find the perfect pumpkin. Come see why Illinois corn mazes are the cream of the crop.

Find the world's largest corn maze in Illiniois

When it comes to corn mazes, size may not be everything, but at the Richardson Adventure Farm Corn Maze, it counts for a lot. We're talking more than 9 miles of trails through 28 acres of corn, making it the largest corn maze anyone has ever explored.

There are games throughout the maze for added entertainment, and each year the maze celebrates a new theme - so you can always come back next year for a new adventure.

Toddler petting a baby goat at the Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery.

Illinois Farm Tours

Rolling fields. Vast crops. Friendly folks. Get a peek behind the barn doors on an Illinois farm tour.

Watch cows being milked, see how crops are harvested, get a taste of the freshest produce, or learn the art of cheese-making firsthand. You'll get a glimpse of farm life, but more importantly, you'll get a chance to connect with the land and the folks who work it. And during your visit, you can be one of them: many farms welcome you to roll up your sleeves and join in!

Take an Illinois farm tour for a unique picture of Illinois agriculture.

  • Cows grazing in a paddock

    Marcoot Jersey Creamery

    Step into a slice of Illinois dairy history at Marcoot. This seventh-generation farm in Greenville crafts artisan cheeses you won't find anywhere else. Drop by anytime to meet the calves, watch the milking, and see how they turn fresh milk into delicious cheese.

     Marcoot Jersey Creamery
  • People eating outside at tables at Epiphany Farms

    Epiphany Farms

    Ever wondered how your food grows? From June to September, the folks at Epiphany Farms in Bloomington pull back the curtain on their 70-acre operation. See firsthand how they work with nature, not against it. Can't make it in summer? Their fall farm dinners and gardening workshops are just as good.

     Epiphany Farms
  • An 1890's era farmhouse

    Kline Creek Farm

    Time-travel to the 1890s at Kline Creek Farm near West Chicago. Watch costumed farmers plant heirloom veggies, milk cows, and harvest ice from Timber Lake, just like they did way back when. Tour the farmhouse on the hour and peek into another era. It's history you can touch, smell, and taste.

     Kline Creek Farm
  • Kids watching cows in a paddock at a dairy farm

    Berning Acres

    In just 90 minutes at this family-run dairy farm, you'll milk a cow, feed a calf, and see how today's farmers use tech to care for their 400 Holsteins. It's a fun, firsthand look at 21st-century farming, and the tour ends with ice cream - because what's a dairy farm visit without a sweet treat? 

     Berning Acres

    Tales of Illinois farms and orchards

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