FALL FUN: APPLE PICKING & CIDER TASTING
Despite the popularity of pumpkin spice, the true champion of fall flavors is the apple. From cider to pie, the apple dominates for about three months of the year. If you aren’t satisfied with just grabbing a dozen Red Delicious at the grocery store, head out of the Chicago city limits and visit an orchard for a fun fall experience.
Brightonwoods Orchard & AEppelTreow Winery & Distillery in Burlington, WI create a fantastic fall apple experience for the 21+ crowd. AEppelTreow uses the fruit grown next door at Brightonwoods to make delicious hard ciders, wines, and spirits. For $5, they offer your choice of six samples that can be enjoyed at the outdoor picnic tables and they allow you to bring your own picnic foods. If you visit on a weekend, the donut truck may also be open! Don’t forget to stop back inside to pick up a four-pack of cider or bottle of your new favorite spirit.
Across the parking lot is the Brightonwoods Orchard barn which offers an incredible selection of apples. During a September visit, they had 23 different varieties available, all with labels explaining their history and how best to use them. If you need pie apples, there are plenty of options here! If you’re lucky, there may also be “seconds” available to purchase at a discount that can be turned into homemade apple butter. In addition to apples, the barn store offers pub cheese, seasonal baking mixes, fresh (non-alcoholic) cider, jams, and a variety of squash. If you’re looking to take your love of apples to the next level, you can even buy an apple tree to take home and plant in your own yard!
Brightonwoods is not a U-Pick orchard, but you can still take a stroll around the premises. Enjoying the fresh air and not ready to head home yet? Drive 5 minutes east to Richard Bong State Recreation Area for a hike around Wolf Lake.
There is a bathroom available for visitors at AEppelTreow.
For a kid-friendly U-Pick experience, head west to Honey Hill Orchard in Waterman, IL. Hop on the wagon and let a tractor drive you through the orchards to your favorite apple variety. If you can’t choose, start at the far end and walk back to the barn, picking as you go. If the tractor pulls away while you are still buying your U-Pick bags, check out the petting zoo while you wait for it to return. U-Pick is cash only, but credit cards are accepted in the barn store and at the food window.
The barn store has too many food items and gifts to count! Pick up a jar of Honey Hill’s own honey, grab an apple pie to-go, peruse the jam selections, and pick out a tea towel or other seasonal home good. You won’t be able to leave without finding something that catches your eye!
Outside food is not allowed at Honey Hill, but there are plenty of on-site goodies to purchase. Step up to the window on the side of the barn to get hot drinks, donut sundaes, and other sweet snacks. In addition, food trucks are often available on the weekends. If you manage to leave hungry, grab a burger at Dairy Joy Drive-In on the way back to Chicago.