Photography Courtesy Eckert's
As much as flannel shirts, cozy sweaters, cooler weather, and crispy leaves are signs of fall, no activity signals the start of the season like going to an orchard and picking your own apples. There are several farms in the St. Louis region that allow families to do exactly that. Below, you'll find some of the top destinations.
- Overview: Eckert's farm has been a mainstay in Metro East for more than a century. It welcomes guests at its Belleville, Millstadt, and Grafton locations to find their own sweet treats in its pick-your-own orchards. Before you go, check which varieties of apples are ripe for picking on the Eckert's website. The Belleville farm often has an expansive selection of apples from which to choose. When the Millstadt location opens for picking this week, Jonathan apples will be available. Weekday field access starts at $3 for everyone 2 years old and up. Weekend access starts at $5.50 per person. Kids under two are admitted free.
- Types of apples: Different varieties are available at each site.
- Prices: Field access is $3 at Belleville and Grafton Farm; apples cost $1.99 per pound.
- Hours: Fields are accessible from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily.
- Contact Info: Belleville: 618-310-2758, 951 S. Green Mt., Belleville, Illinois. Grafton: 800-745-0513, 20995 Eckert Orchard, Grafton, Illinois. Millstadt: 618-233-0513, 2719 Eckert Orchard, Millstadt, Illinois.
- Overview: After beginning to ripen in August, apples are usually available for picking until early October. Check the farm's website for the latest crop updates. For families looking for extra fun, Centennial recently renovated its playground area to include a bounce pad and a giant spider web. The bounce pad has been especially popular this year.
- Types of apples: Mutsu, Jonathan, Golden Delicious, Jon-A-Gold, and Fuji.
- Prices: $5 admission; apples cost $1.90 per pound.
- Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday & Sunday.
- Contact Info: 636-228-4338; 199 Jackson, Augusta.
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- Overview: Head to this pick-your-own orchard in St. Charles to find a variety of apples ready to take home. Pick until you fill your five-pound bag. Admission includes a hay ride around the farm and 90 minutes of access to the farm's kid's play area. Be sure to call ahead; apple picking at Herman's is by appointment only.
- Types of apples: Honeycrisp, Jonathan, and Jon-A-Gold
- Prices: $5 admission; fill a five-pound bag for $10.
- Hours: By appointment only; 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Contact Info: 636-925-9969, 3663 N Highway 94, St. Charles.
- Overview: At this family farm located in Belleville, Illinois, nine varieties of apples are available for picking each fall. After picking apples, you'll also want to be sure to grab some fresh cider and apple cider doughnuts to take home.
- Types of apples: Jonathan, Golden Delicious, Empire, Jon-A-Gold, Red Delicious, Fuji, Winesap, Granny Smith, and Gold Rush.
- Prices: Apples cost $1.99 per pound.
- Hours: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
- Contact Info: 618-233-4059. 2795 Turkey Hill, Belleville, Illinois.
- Overview: More than a dozen varieties of apples are typically available on this farm in Metro East. The tractor takes guests to the orchard only on weekends. Rides are free—just be sure to arrive before 4 p.m. in order to get a tractor ride to the orchard.
- Types of apples: Earliblaze, Ginger Gold, Jonathan, Ozark Gold, Royal Gala, Empire, Jon-A-Gold, Senshu, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Blushing Golden, and Winesap; call for latest crop update.
- Prices: Purchase bags by the half-peck, peck, and half-bushel.
- Hours: 1–5 p.m. Tuesday–Friday; 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday & Sunday.
- Contact Info: 618-887-4732. 11477 Pocahontas, Marine, Illinois.
- Overview: Stop by during normal business hours at the North Hanley location and grab whichever apples look best to you. Once you check in for your picking session at the market, a bag will be provided. After picking apples, stick around and play at "Pumpkinland," a family-friendly play area that includes a straw castle, corn maze, pirate ship, swing set, and more.
- Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday
- Contact Info: 314-429-5506, 4215 N. Hanley.
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- Overview: Throughout the month of September—and as far into October as the apple trees will allow—Thierbach Orchards offers pick-your-own sessions on weekend mornings and afternoons. There are more activities for kids, who can play in the bounce house, explore the maze, and ride pedal carts.
- Types of apples: Gala, Jonathan, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Jon-A-Gold.
- Prices: Apples cost $1.89 per pound.
- Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday & Sunday.
- Contact Info: 636-433-2299, 18427 State Highway 47, Marthasville.
- Overview: Don't stop with picking apples. Stop by Broom Orchard's market to snag apple butter and sweet cider. Once the apples are gone in October, the farm pivots to pumpkins. Broom Orchard's annual Pumpkin Festival take place the weekend of October 8.
- Types of apples: Jonathan, Ambrosia, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Ida Red, Jon-A-Gold, Cameo, Mutsu, Winesap, Fuji, Braeburn, Granny Smith, and Scarlet Beauty; call for latest crop update.
- Prices: Call for latest prices.
- Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Saturday; noon–5 p.m. Sunday.
- Contact Info: 217-854-3514, 12803 Broom Road, Carlinville, Illinois.
