The best places for berry picking near Chicago

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.

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.

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.

Head across state lines to Hobart, Indiana for all the fruits and veggies your heart desires. Depending on the season, Johnson’s Farm Produce offers everything from strawberries and blueberries to sunflowers and peppers. You can even pick your own watermelons—seeded, seedless or even yellow—during Labor Day weekend. On Fun Farm Weekends, the little ones will be entertained by train rides, a corn maze and a goat village.

When fall rolls around, it's all about the apples at Valley Orchard. But come summer, this Cherry Valley farm is crawling with raspberries, blueberries, rhubarb, cherries, blackberries and currants. Before loading your haul into the car, be sure to stop by the on-site bakery for apple cider doughnuts, apple pie and fudge. Make it a day trip when you visit nearby Hurricane Harbor, which is located about four miles away from the farm.

Located 80 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, Olive Berry Acres is known for its ruby-red raspberries and juicy strawberries, as well as asparagus and rhubarb. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates since they sometimes close to give the berries more time to ripen.

Situated just 60 miles south of downtown Chicago, this sweet blueberry farm offers 10 acres of fruit-packed bushes plus pies, honey, preserves and more. More impressive yet, there are eight varieties of blueberries growing here, offering pickers a new taste on the classic fruit. Head out to the farm to pick your own or grab a container to go. Check the Facebook page for updates on seasonal openings and hours.

Take a wagon ride out to the fields, where depending on the month, you might find blackberries, strawberries, raspberries or apples, among other fine produce. Just be sure to call ahead to find out what's available at this Indiana spot. Be sure to stop at the farm market for doughnuts, flowers and apple cider.

In addition to this beloved, 60-plus-year-old Huntley institution's brief but joyful u-pick strawberry season (including mouthwatering strawberry donuts), there's a whole lot more to explore. You'll find 80,000 square feet of greenhouses, a whimsical gift shop, bakery and cafe, as well as fun events throughout the summer, from gardening workshops to a corn maze.

Grab a bucket and fill it to the brim with strawberries during the summertime at Cody’s Farm & Orchard. If you fancy apples, the farm has all sorts of varieties to pick in the fall, including Honeycrisp, Sun Fuji, Cortland and Golden Delicious. There are also selections of fresh veggies and fruits for sale—don’t miss the excellent sweet corn.