Grape U-Pick Orchards in Northwestern Illinois in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for grapes that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a state have grapes orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

New! We just went live with our latest website, FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings, Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas

Marshall County

• Tanner's Orchard - Pick your own apples, Apples, cider, grapes, pumpkins, cider, Christmas decorations, gourmet foods, candles, jams and apple butter, bakery, deli, School tours, restrooms, picnic areas, kids petting zoo and play area,
  740 State Route 40, Speer, IL 61749. Phone: 309-493-5442. Email: info@tannersorchard.com. Open: July and August, M-Sa 8 am to 5 pm, closed on Sunday; then in September and October: daily 8 am to 8 pm U-Pick open 10 am to 5 pm Daily. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash and credit cards welcome.
  Tanner's Orchard Facebook page. . July and August, M-Sa 8 am to 5 pm, closed on Sunday; then in September and October: daily 8 am to 8 pm (U-Pick open 10 am to 5 pm Daily). and in November: M-Sa 8 am to 5 pm, and closed on SundayTanners Orchard Facebook page. Tanners also has hayrack rides and a corn maze in the Fall! The orchard sports over 11,000 trees and 17 varieties of apples. We grow over 20 acres of pumpkins along with various other fruits and vegetables. Find a large assortment of gifts and delicious food offerings in our Farm Market and Apple Bin Bakery. Our Back 40 Fun Acres will keep the entire family busy for the day.
  Comments from a visitor on September 16, 2012: "I have been going to Tanner's since I was a little girl and now take time out to drive my family a fair distance to visit them every year. We absolutely love the variety of activities, food choices, market items and fun we have when there. I have also taken my girl scouts to do their tour for kids, however they are strict in scheduling these only during their designated time. The tour is a great option and provides a lot. Covered wagon rides out to the orchard and pumpkin patch, samples of donuts and cider (1 donut per person and Gallon(s) of cider, color books, behind scene tour of packing, storing, cider making areas, etc. plus access to the back 40 activity/playground area is included in the price. "
  Comments from a visitor on September 13, 2010: "The has been around for decades as a U-Pick apple farm. They have a great playground and petting zoo for the kids along with corn mazes. They are best known for their apple cider donuts and apple cider, but also have a large bakery/market too. Love the orchard and have been going since I was a kid. Now taking my kids too it, and they keep adding more activities."
  Comments from a visitor on November 18, 2009: "Tanners Orchard has become a family destination with fresh apples and pumpkins, a bakery, a large county farm market, wagon rides to the orchard for pick your own fruit, a corn maze and a children's playground with farm animals. I have a blast every time I visit Tanners Orchard. The people are friendly, the food is good, and the price is right. And it's fun! My husband and I are addicted and visit frequently every year."

Whiteside County

• Hazel Creek Vineyard - grapes
  23060 Hazel Road, Sterling, IL 61081. Phone: 815-499-5229. Email: vonda.miller1@gmail.com. Open: Weekends from 8 am to 8 pm and by appointment; Harvest varies annually and is typically from late August to early September. Directions: Interstate 88 to SterlingRock Falls. Take Exit 36 to US-30 West. From the stop sign go straight on US-30 West for 2.6 miles. Turn right on Habben Road and travel 1.7 miles. Turn right on Hazel Road and travel 12 mile. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Interstate 88 to Sterling/Rock Falls. Take Exit 36 to US-30 West. From the stop sign go straight on US-30 West for 2.6 miles. Turn right on Habben Road and travel 1.7 miles. Turn right on Hazel Road and travel 1/2 mile U-Pick and pre-picked available.

 

Types of Grapes

There are  several; types of grapes:

• Table Grapes for eating fresh and making juice and jelly, can be seedless or with seeds. See this page for a master list and guide to table grape varieties
• Wine Grapes... for making wine. See this page for a master list and guide to wine grape varieties
• Muscadines and Scuppernongs, Large, very sweet southern grapes with large seeds

Grape picking tips

• Pick ripe: Grapes do not ripen after they are picked
• Appearance: Look for heavy, firm grapes
• To harvest grapes, carefully cut the grape clusters from the vine using pruning shears. Be careful not to bruise or damage the fruit or the surrounding vines.

Grape recipes, canning, jelly making juice, etc

• Grape jelly from fresh grapes
• Grape jelly from grape juice (canned, bottled or frozen)
• How to make your own grape juice, scuppernong, juice, muscadine juice. - W, P

 

 

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers