Pick your perfect apple or great pumpkin at these orchards and farms in the Peoria area
Dean Muellerleile
Locally grown apples and pumpkins are readily available at farmers markets and roadside stands. But for those up for a stroll outdoors amid the changing seasons, these Peoria-area orchards and farms let you pick your own autumn 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). 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.
Related: Tanners Orchard marks seven decades of apples and customer satisfaction
Christ Orchard
Christ Orchard near Elmwood offers pick-your-own apples and pumpkins. Apple picking has begun, with available varieties based on harvest date. Visit the orchard's Facebook page for a harvest update.
You-pick-'em pumpkin season starts Saturday, Sept. 25.
Hours are Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Other attractions include farm animals.
Christ Orchard is at 4317 N. Texas Road east of Elmwood.
Related: Christ Orchard a family affair in Elmwood
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.
Ackerman Family Farms
Ackerman Family Farms near Morton grows over 160 varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds.
A pick-your-own pumpkin patch is to open soon. Call (309) 266-7459 for a harvest update.
Other attractions include farm animals, a corn maze and weekend hayrack rides.
Hours are Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
The farm is at 27158 U.S. Highway 150 east of Morton.
Crooked Row Farm Illinois
Crooked Row Farm Illinois offers pick-your-own pumpkins, berries, melons and vegetables. Check its Facebook page for availability.
Hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.
Crooked Row Farm Illinois is at 4623 Lakeland Lane in Chillicothe.
Braffet Berry Farm & Orchard
Braffet Berry Farm & Orchard offers pick-your-own apples. Supply is limited. Call 376-2012 for more information. Visit the farm's Facebook page for harvest updates.
Other activities include hay rides, a corn maze and a children's play area.
Hours are Saturday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Braffet Berry Farm & Orchard is at 9010 E. 2250 North Road in Carlock.
Related: You-pick-’em Asian pears are a hit in Chillicothe
Roth Pumpkin Patch
Due to deer-related depredations, Roth Pumpkin Patch in Morton no longer offers a pick-your-own option, but the farm still 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.
Hours are Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Roth Pumpkin Patch is at 1811 W. Jefferson St. in Morton.
River Hills Farm
River Hills Farm will offer pick-your-own pears beginning Oct. 15.
Hours will be 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.
River Hills Farm is at 6420 E. Hart Lane in Chillicothe.