Locally grown apples and pumpkins are readily available at farmers markets and roadside stands.
But for those up for a stroll outdoors, these Peoria-area orchards and farms let you pick your own produce. Most offer other family-friendly attractions to make a day of your own personal harvest.
Tanners Orchard
Tanners Orchard near Speer offers “U-Pick Apples & Pumpkins.” Visitors can walk (on weekdays) or ride a covered wagon (on weekends and Festival days). The orchard offers 11,000 U-Pick apple trees with 17 varieties of apples. It grows six varieties of pumpkins in its 20-acre pumpkin patch.
Visit tannersorchard.com to see which varieties are ready for picking. Pick-your-own hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in September and October. Last admission is at 4:15 p.m. The orchard also hosts family activities on its Back 40 Fun Acres, farm animals and “unicorns,” a corn maze, food and more.
Tanners Orchard is located at 740 Illinois Route 40, north of Speer. For more information, visit its website or Facebook page.
The Tanners Orchard menu changes depending on weekdays or weekends.
Christ Orchard
Christ Orchard near Elmwood offers pick-your-own apples and pumpkins. Apple picking has begun, with available varieties based on harvest date. You-pick-’em pumpkin season will begin in October. Visit the orchard’s Facebook page for a harvest update. September and October hours are Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and November hours are Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Other attractions include farm animals.
Christ Orchard is at 4317 N. Texas Road, east of Elmwood. For more information, visit https://www.christorchardonline.com/.
R.E. Arends Orchard
R.E. Arends Orchard near Laura in rural Peoria County offers a variety of delicious apples, cider and raw honey. In addition to apples, the orchard provides a selection of fruits and vegetables, including peaches, plums, pears, grapes, and pumpkins, all grown directly on the farm. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through December 15.
R.E. Arends Orchard is located at 22001 North Highway 78, north of Laura. For more information, visit the orchard’s Facebook page.
Ackerman Family Farms
Ackerman Family Farms near Morton grows over 160 varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds. The farm has a gift shop with a large selection of specialty foods and gifts. Other attractions include farm animals, a corn maze and weekend hayrack rides (hayrack rides start the weekend of Sept. 13). Hours are Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Ackerman Family Farm is located at 27158 US Highway 150, east of Morton. For more information, visit https://www.ackermanfamilyfarmsllc.com/.
Roth Pumpkin Patch
Roth Pumpkin Patch in Morton sells pumpkins at its outdoor market. It also has a Pumpkin Park with slides, rides and other children’s activities, a corn maze and more. Food will be available for purchase, including freshly-made kettle corn, apple cider slushies, cookies and more. The park will be open from the season from Sept. 8 through Oct. 31. Hours are Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Roth Pumpkin Patch is at 1811 W. Jefferson St. in Morton. For more information, visit https://rothpumpkinpatch.com/.
Partridge Point Orchard
Partridge Point Orchard near Metamora offers nine varieties of apples available for picking. Visit the orchard’s Facebook page for a harvest update. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The orchard is at 807 Partridge Point Road, north of Metamora. For more information, visit https://www.partridgepointorchard.com/.
Braffet Berry Farm & Orchard
Braffet Berry Farm & Orchard will open for the fall season on Sept. 13 and will offer pick-your-own apples and pumpkins. Supply is limited. Call 309-376-2012 for more information. Visit the farm’s Facebook page for harvest updates. The farm also offers fall cafe items including coffee, apple cider slushies, apple cider donuts and more. Other activities include hay rides, a corn maze and a children’s play area. Hours are Wednesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Braffet Berry Farm & Orchard is at 9010 E. 2250 North Road in Carlock. For more information, visit https://www.braffetberryfarm.com/.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Pick your perfect apple or great pumpkin at these orchards and farms near Peoria
Reporting by Josh Jenke, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
