The Best Places For Berry Picking Near Chicago

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Take a short drive for a day spent berry picking on farms near Chicago, where you’ll find strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and more

Fresh berries are one of the great joys of summer in the Midwest, and you can find them at farmers markets or integrated into the seasonal menus of the best restaurants in Chicago. But if you want to enjoy strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries at their absolute freshest, take a drive to a local u-pick farm and grab them right from the field. It’s one of the best kid-friendly things to do, letting little ones get a sense of how food is grown while also enjoying other farm activities, ranging from train rides to petting zoos depending on the season. Just be sure to check ahead to make sure the produce you’re looking for is still available before you head out to one of these farms for berry picking near Chicago.

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The top places for berry picking

1. Stade’s Farm and Market

This McHenry County mecca offers more than your average farm. In addition to summer berry picking, Stade’s has a full market, farm tours, sunset hayrides and a petting zoo at certain times of the year. Check out the stash of strawberries in mid-June, or head there later in the season for raspberries, blueberries, flowers and vegetables including green beans, snap peas, beets and kohlrabi.

2. Heider’s Berry Farm

Just over an hour northwest of downtown Chicago, you’ll find Heider’s Berry Farm in Woodstock, where five generations of the Heider family have been giving Chicagoland families a magical farm experience. Visit in mid-June to pick delicious strawberries, or grab an assortment of red, black and purple raspberries beginning in July. Visit their Facebook page for updates on hours and availability.

3. Thompson Strawberry Farm

Open from mid-June through early July, this Wisconsin farm offers the chance to fill baskets with strawberries right from the field or grab some that have already been picked fresh that day. With 97,000 plants across seven acres, you’ll find plenty of delicious fruit to snack on or turn into jam or baked goods.

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