It’s that time of year again: Orchard Season! Northwest Indiana boasts some of the most scenic, variety-packed orchards in the Midwest, and this is the perfect season to take the whole family out for an exciting day of fruit picking. If picking isn’t your thing, these orchards and their markets offer everything from fruit, vegetables, jams, honey, delicious treats and so much!
Here’s a look at what the Region has to offer this orchard season:
Garwood Orchards
For over 180 years, the Garwood family has been farming the same land in La Porte County. Through six generations, Garwood Orchards have maintained a focus on farming, family, and community. After just one visit, you'll want to make their family farm your family tradition.
The Garwood UPick, open from June through October, is exceptional! Over 400 acres of fruits and vegetables being farmed by the 6th generation of Garwood's mean there's plenty to pick at the UPick, including: Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Black Raspberries, Blackberries , Tomatoes, Peppers, Green Beans, Apples, Pumpkins, and more!
Along with all of the amazing varieties of fruits and vegetables available, there’s always something happening at Garwood Orchards. Garwood’s Apple Fest is held each year at the beginning of the season, and they host live music each weekend after until the season comes to a close! To find out more about Garwood Orchards, visit their website at: http://appleupick.com/!
How to get there:
Just an hour east of Chicago in Northwest Indiana, Garwood Orchards is located just off U.S. 2 between La Porte and Westville. Click here to visit their website to find out more!
Pavolka Fruit Farm
A fourth-generation family farm, Pavolka Fruit Farm is located in Michigan City, Indiana (LaPorte County). Open since 1920, Pavolka Fruit Farm offers visitors over 30 varieties of apples from trees planted by the first generation of the Pavolka Family. Apples are harvested starting on Labor Day Weekend, in September, through the end of October.
Pressed Apple Cider, made from their fresh Pavolka Apples, is available from mid-September through October. Pavolka also offers U-Pick apples in the fall. For more information, visit: www.pavolkafruitfarm.com!
How to get there:
From Michigan City - Take 421 south over I-94, pass the stoplight intersection, drive approximately1 mile to 200N, turn left. Stay on 200N for two miles to the next stop sign at Wozniak Rd, Turn Right, drive 1/4 mile, the farm is on the right.
From La Porte - Take Route 2 to Wozniak Rd at Pinhook, turn right. go for five miles. The farm is on the left.
From Chicago - Take I-94 East to Exit 34A towards Westville Turn right onto 421 South Franklin Street. Pass stoplight intersection, continue for 1 mile. Turn left on 200N. Stay on 200N. for two mile to the stop sign at Wozniak Rd. Turn right and drive 1/4 mile. The farm is on the right.
Williams Orchard
Family-owned to this day, Williams Orchard was started in 1911 by Esther Williams and her sons. Nestled in northern La Porte, IN at the Michigan border, Williams Orchard offers visitors peaches, apples, cider and other local produce, as well as jams, jellies and much more! Available from July to November. Click here to follow Williams Orchard on Facebook!
How to get there:
From Chicago - Take I-94 East to Exit 1 in Michigan (LaPorte / New Buffalo). Turn RIGHT onto Highway 39, continue straight thru the stop light at Wilson Road and drive 1 mile. At 1000 N, turn LEFT (Mike's Country Store on the corner). Drive 6.5 miles following signs to 500 East. Turn RIGHT onto 500 East and drive 1/2 mile. They're at the top of a hill on the right-hand side.
Radke Orchards
Five generations of Radke’s have maintained and nurtured this beautiful family farm that offers a multitude of apple varieties for visitors to choose from. Radke’s quiet country homestead gives visitors the perfect setting to enjoy the day picking apples, or purchase them already picked for your convenience. Located just south of Michigan City, Indiana, Radke Orchards is only minutes from I94 (exit 34A) and I80/90 (exit 39). Visit: www.radkeorchards.com/ for more information!
How to get there:
From Chicago via I-94
Take Indiana exit 34A (Westville – 421 South). Travel approximately 2 miles to county road 200 North. Turn left onto 200 North. Travel another 2 miles to arrive at Radke Orchards.
From South Bend via I-80/I-90 (Indiana Toll Road)
Take the Indiana Toll Road West to exit 39 (Michigan City). Turn left (North) onto US 421 and continue for about 4 miles. Turn right onto County Road 200 North and continue for about 2 miles to Radke Orchards.
County Line Orchard
County Line Orchard is guaranteed family fun at its finest! Round up the family and head out to spend a day at County Line Orchard, which features U-Pick apples, Animal Barnyard, Antique Tractor Rides, Country Kitchen & Grill, a 10-acre Corn Maize, and so much more.
Whether it’s their incredible donuts or the amazing array of fresh apples, there’s lots to enjoy about County Line Orchard. Dozens of varieties there for you to pick means there’s always something fresh throughout the season when you visit the orchard this fall! Visit: www.countylineorchard.com/ for more details!
How to get there:
From I-80 & 94, take exit 15A, or from I-90 (the Indiana Toll Road), take exit 21 (Ripley Ave. Routes 6 & 51 south and east for both highways.) At the second stop light (approximately 3 miles), turn left (east), staying on Rt. 6. At the third stop light, turn right (south) onto County Line Road. The orchard is one mile ahead just past a stop sign, on the right (west) side of the road.
LOOK FOR OUR VISITOR DESTINATION SIGNS THAT BEGIN ON I-94 AND LEAD YOU TO THE FARM.
From I-65: Exit at Ridge Road Exit. Go east (right) on Ridge Road. (Ridge Road is also Route 6 and 37th Avenue, which can be confusing.) You are on the far west side of Hobart there, and we are the far east side. Drive about 4.8 miles to County Line Road. (After you have passed Johnson’s Strawberry Farm and Remus’ Farm Market, the next intersection is County Line Road.) Turn right onto County Line Road. The orchard is just 1.1 miles ahead on the right.
From the east or south: Take U.S. 30 to Route 51. Heading north on 51, you’ll go through a 4-way stop (Old Lincoln Highway), a stop light (Bracken Rd.), past a hospital, and around a gradual 90-degree bend in the road. You’re now on 10th Street, and heading east. You’ll pass Joan Martin Elementary School and come to a 4-way stop at Lincoln St. Going straight through the intersection, drive about 2 miles until you come to another 4-way stop at County Line Road. Turn left (north) and drive one mile until you see apple trees! If you are coming from the east, you could also take Route 6 west to County Line Road and turn left (south) and drive 1.1 miles.