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Discover strawberry farms to go picking within 100 miles of Chicago. These farms offer fresh strawberry picking experiences perfect for families.
Manhattan, IL 60442
14435 W Manhattan-Monee Rd, Manhattan, IL 60442
Woodstock, IL 60098
2318 Greenwood Rd, Woodstock, IL 60098
Find the best blueberry farms within 100 miles of Chicago. Enjoy picking fresh blueberries with your family during the harvest season.
Wilmington, IL 60481
37131 Essex Rd, Wilmington, IL 60481
Cherry Valley, IL 61016
811 E State St, Cherry Valley, IL 61016
Lemont, IL 60439
13332 Bell Rd, Lemont, IL 60439
Manhattan, IL 60442
14435 W Manhattan-Monee Rd, Manhattan, IL 60442
Chicago sits on former prairie land with some of the world's richest black soil, perfect for growing crops. Summers are warm and humid around 84°F, while winters are cold with temperatures often below freezing. The growing season runs from mid-May through early October, with Lake Michigan moderating temperatures for farms along the shore.
Chicago grew up as the Midwest's agricultural hub, with the famous stockyards and grain exchanges connecting prairie farms to the world. The surrounding farmland fed the growing city and shipped food nationwide via railroads. Today's farms continue this tradition, with many family operations dating back over 100 years, now serving Chicago's diverse neighborhoods.
Sweet corn is king here, ready by mid-July when the city celebrates Taste of Chicago. Strawberries arrive in early June, followed by blueberries and raspberries through summer. September brings apple season with Honeycrisp and Gala varieties, while October means pumpkin patches and corn mazes. The rich soil also produces excellent tomatoes, peppers, and melons during the warm months.
Most farms are 45-60 minutes from downtown via I-90, I-294, or I-55, with many clustered in the northwest suburbs and Indiana. Weekend mornings avoid both city traffic and afternoon heat. The Metra train reaches some farm areas on weekends. Lake effect weather can vary greatly, so farms closer to the lake may have different conditions than those inland. Many farms offer warming stations and hot cider during cool fall weekends.
Plainfield, IL 60586
18061 Bronk Rd, Plainfield, IL 60586
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