• Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • Explore Chicago
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The Local Tourist

Experience the fascination of a tourist; Feel the comfort of the local

  • Travel the U.S.A.
    • The Midwest
      • Illinois
      • Indiana
      • Iowa
      • Kansas
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Missouri
      • Nebraska
      • South Dakota
      • Wisconsin
    • The South
      • Arkansas
      • Mississippi
      • North Carolina
      • Oklahoma
      • Texas
    • The West
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • Utah
      • Wyoming
  • Travel Tips
    • Travel Now
  • Road Trips
    • Two Lane Gems
  • Cultural Travel
    • Arts and Culture
    • Attractions
    • Food and Drink
    • History
    • People
    • Roadside Attractions
  • Great Outdoors
    • Camping
    • Hiking and Active Travel
    • U.S. National Parks
  • Shop TLT
    • Travel Two Lane Gems
  • Travel the U.S.A.
    • The Midwest
      • Illinois
      • Indiana
      • Iowa
      • Kansas
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Missouri
      • Nebraska
      • South Dakota
      • Wisconsin
    • The South
      • Arkansas
      • Mississippi
      • North Carolina
      • Oklahoma
      • Texas
    • The West
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • Utah
      • Wyoming
  • Travel Tips
    • Travel Now
  • Road Trips
    • Two Lane Gems
  • Cultural Travel
    • Arts and Culture
    • Attractions
    • Food and Drink
    • History
    • People
    • Roadside Attractions
  • Great Outdoors
    • Camping
    • Hiking and Active Travel
    • U.S. National Parks
  • Shop TLT
    • Travel Two Lane Gems
  • Contact
  • Work with TLT
  • Travel Writing
County Line Orchard, photo by Elizabeth Pollack

Northwest Indiana’s Favorite Fall Destination: County Line Orchard

When you’re looking for Fall fun, don’t miss this family favorite.

October 9, 2019 //  by The Local Tourist//  Leave a Comment

62shares

This piece is part of a series of articles submitted to The Local Tourist through a cooperation with a 400-level travel writing class at Purdue University.

By Elizabeth Pollack

Ever since I can remember, when the leaves started to change that meant it was time for my family and me to take a trip to our favorite apple orchard.

To this day, it’s still a tradition to visit County Line Orchard.

County Line Orchard, photo by Elizabeth Pollack
County Line Orchard, photo by Elizabeth Pollack

Nothing quite says fall like sipping on hot apple cider and arguing with your sibling over who picked the best apples.

I was very lucky to grow up only a short drive away from one of my favorite places. I first visited County Line Orchard on a field trip when I was in kindergarten.

Back then, this place was nowhere as big, busy, and well-known as it is today. The only people who really knew about it were families like mine who lived close by.

Before it was a major tourist attraction, it consisted of just one barn, a small field of apple trees, and one corn maze.

I remember sitting in a small room on my field trip while someone showed us how bees make honey and being so excited to get my own apple picking bag. Our school was the only one there and we had all the apples to choose from. 

Today, people come from all over the Midwest just to experience County Line Orchard. It is the closest orchard to downtown Chicago, drawing in many people from the city. There are lines of cars with different license plates surrounding the area.

Looking for more fun near County Line Orchard? Check out Gabis Arboretum.

What can you do at County Line Orchard?

County Line Orchard, photo by Elizabeth Pollack
County Line Orchard, photo by Elizabeth Pollack

The most popular attraction of County Line is, of course, the apple picking.

You pay a general admission charge of $1 per person, which gives you full access to the orchard.

You can either walk to the apple fields or take a tractor ride. I suggest taking the tractor ride because yes, it’s less walking, but it’s a fun way to see more of the orchard.

I always like to talk to the people around me on the tractor and ask how long they’ve been going to County Line. It’s interesting to see how some are there for the very first time while others have been going religiously their entire lives like I have.

I asked Dave, a man that has been working seasonally at County Line driving the tractors for many years, what he liked most about his job. He said, “My favorite part about working here is seeing how excited all the different people and kids get. Some kids have been coming here for years and you get to see them grow up.”

County Line Orchard, photo by Elizabeth Pollack
Hayride, photo by Elizabeth Pollack

Once you get to the apple fields there are 30 varieties of apples. The different types are better for different things. The helpful employees can tell you which kind is better for making a pie or which is better for applesauce.

My personal favorite is the Honeycrisp, which is tart but a great apple to snack on.

Apples at County Line Orchard
Photo by Elizabeth Pollack

You can also head over to the pumpkin patch. The pumpkins come in all different shapes and sizes, ready to carve.

County Line Orchard, photo by Elizabeth Pollack
Pumpkin patch, photo by Elizabeth Pollack

Right by the pumpkin patch is the huge corn maze. The corn maze is shaped into different fun fall designs each year. Maps are available but still be ready to get lost in the corn! When I was little my dad and I always tried to follow the map at first, but still ended up confused, wandering the maze for hours anyways.

I think half the fun is trying to figure out where to turn next and realizing you’ve been going in a giant circle.

Don’t worry, I didn’t forget my favorite part, and arguably the best part of County Line Orchard: the donuts. I remember when I was a kid, my parents and I would wait in line, sometimes for more than an hour, for these fresh, warm donuts that really do melt in your mouth. It was always worth the wait.

I also loved watching them be made through the glass windows while we waited. Today, you can still watch these famous apple and pumpkin donuts be made.

However, don’t worry about the wait because there’s always stacks and stacks ready for you to buy and enjoy. In an average season today the orchard makes up to 1 million donuts.

Now that’s a lot of donuts.

County Line Orchard, photo by Elizabeth Pollack
Photo by Elizabeth Pollack

Not a fan of donuts? Don’t worry, there’s many other foods to love and enjoy. Some other good eats you can find are at the bakery, County Line Kitchen and Grill , and even local food booths.

I always like to try something new each time I go. Once you decide what to munch on, take a seat at the picnic tables outside and enjoy yourself.

There are often small bands playing live music, too.

County Line Orchard has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I always feel like I’m at home when I come here and I look forward to returning every autumn.

When does County Line Orchard Open?

The Orchard typically opens at the beginning of September and closes at the end of October. There is much to do here, but the maps can help you make sure you get to see it all. The friendly locals and employees are sure to be helpful as well. 

County Line Orchard is located on 200 S County Line Road in Hobart in Northwest Indiana. 

Thinking about visiting? Pin this for later!

  • County Line Orchard in Northwest Indiana is a fun Fall destination. Visit to pick pumpkins and apples and don't miss the doughnuts! Get all the details on what it's like to visit this fall destination. Fun things to do in Indiana. Fall in Indiana.
  • County Line Orchard in Northwest Indiana is a fun Fall destination. Visit to pick pumpkins and apples and don't miss the doughnuts! Get all the details on what it's like to visit this fall destination. Fun things to do in Indiana. Fall in Indiana.
  • County Line Orchard in Northwest Indiana is a fun Fall destination. Visit to pick pumpkins and apples and don't miss the doughnuts! Get all the details on what it's like to visit this fall destination. Fun things to do in Indiana. Fall in Indiana.
  • County Line Orchard in Northwest Indiana is a fun Fall destination. Visit to pick pumpkins and apples and don't miss the doughnuts! Get all the details on what it's like to visit this fall destination. Fun things to do in Indiana. Fall in Indiana.
  • County Line Orchard in Northwest Indiana is a fun Fall destination. Visit to pick pumpkins and apples and don't miss the doughnuts! Get all the details on what it's like to visit this fall destination. Fun things to do in Indiana. Fall in Indiana.
  • County Line Orchard in Northwest Indiana is a fun Fall destination. Visit to pick pumpkins and apples and don't miss the doughnuts! Get all the details on what it's like to visit this fall destination. Fun things to do in Indiana. Fall in Indiana.
62shares

Category: Attractions, IndianaTag: Purdue Travel Writing Class

Related Stories

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 1: Chapter 25 – the Center of the World

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 1: Chapter 24 – A High School Full of Criminals

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 1: Chapter 19 – Ghost Towns and an Enchanting Excursion

Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk

Hiking Indiana Dunes National Park

Booth at Harry's Chocolate Shop

100 Years of Chocolates and Beers at Harry’s Chocolate Shop

Beautiful art at Artists' Own in Lafayette Indiana

Local Artists Create Their Own Shop in Downtown Lafayette

Barbecue at Rusted Silo in Hendricks County Indiana

Rusted Silo is destination-worthy ‘cue and pie that made me cry

Horses at Natural Valley Ranch in Brownsburg, Indiana; photo credit Theresa Goodrich

An All-Natural Escape: Riding a Horse at Natural Valley Ranch

Sunset over the barn at Beasley's Orchard

Hendricks County, Indiana: Small Town Charm, Big City Convenience

Easley Winery, photo credit Hayley DeHaan

Behind the Vines at Easley Winery

McCord Candies in Lafayette, Indiana

McCord Candies: The Happiest Corner in Downtown Lafayette

Don Quijote Restaurant in Valparaiso, Indiana, photo by Maggie Cooper

Don Quijote is a Touch of Spain in Valparaiso, Indiana

Previous Post: « Make your Dreams (Los Cabos) Come True
Next Post: Escape to the Past at Tibbs Drive-in Theatre Tibbs Drive-in Movie Theatre, photo by Lauren Tibbs»

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Your Cart

  • Contact
  • Work with TLT
  • Travel Writing

Site Footer

Disclosure

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Privacy Policy

© 2021 · The Local Tourist · Experience the fascination of a tourist; feel the comfort of the local