Eckerts Orchard

A fall day at Eckerts — just what the doctor ordered!
We picked this location as it was close to what our planned 2^nd stop was. Just a hint of warning — if you’ve never been to this location, make sure you map it out because its really out there and your GPS may not work.
Once there, we grabbed some of the delicious apple cider as we made our way through the small country market. Sad day however as the homemade kettle corn machine was having issues and we couldn’t get our hands on any. However we grabbed a bag, jumped on the wagon and headed out to the apple fields.
The friends with us hadn’t been to Eckerts in years and didn’t realize that you could taste the sweet apples as you were picking. We enjoyed a few a piece as we filled our bag with apples for home. Back at the store, the pricing of the apples wasn’t bad and it surely made our day.
The weather was perfect, the company was quality, it was a great day!

I was SOOOO excited to see that this venue was a planned rest stop on a Trailnet Bike Ride! This review may not be as detailed as you like in terms of products… this is more of a «feeling» review ;)
I have an obsession with blackberries. Yes, it’s true… I admit. And when I found out that morning that Eckert’s was one of our planned rest stops, I got giddy like a school girl! Pick your own blackberries… WHAT? Get out! So I had some serious pedaling motivation to get there!
We turned down the gravel road… gravel on a bike?! Who cares, bring me to the blackberries! There were people carrying wagons of picked delights to their car. Everyone had smiles on their faces. I wanted some of THAT!
We parked the bikes. I jumped off… grabbed my money and went straight to the country store and said I want to PICK MY OWN BLACKBERRIES — How much!!! He said, are you going to fill a container? I said NO! I am going to eat my way through your fields! He said FREE — have at it!!! … Gasp … WHAT?!
Off I went fleeing in to the fields looking for the biggest and juiciest ones I could find. I felt light and free! Someone even gave me a tip to look lower bec people miss all those goodies!
I prob ate a pint! (didn’t’ want to be too greedy) So I walked back up to the store to thank him… as well as buy another pint! Yes, that’s right! And a lemonade! Felt like I should buy something for such a treat they provided me.
And I did share this pint (barely)
I biked on that day with a VERY full belly of blackberries.
Thank YOU Eckert’s for such a great memory.
If you are still reading this, they DO have a great selection of local jams/​spreads/​honeys too! I prob would have bought more but I couldn’t carry it on my bike.
I love this location for its country charm and feel. I WILL be back.

Super late on all these reviews. My mom wanted to go apple picking so we made it a family day. I looked to see if I could bring my dog, they’re only allowed in the main section and not the orchard. So I decided not to bring bc who is going to watch him while I’m in the orchard? lol. anywho the drive isn’t bad at all coming from Florissant, beautiful scenery on the way. The parking is in the grass so beware if you just got your car washed that weekend!!! (ugh) Entry is free, there are picnice tables in the main area with a man and his guitar on one side, and a childrens play area on the other. You have the option of their store that has all the goodies, i buy my honey here. Or their food stand, smell the delish smoke turkey leg, funnel cake is awesome here. And you must have the cider. The tractor took us to the apple orchard, most of the trees near the trail were rancid. Stunk like vinegar and no good apples. Beware! You must wear shoes you do not mind getting apple, apply vinegar, mud and god know what else on them. If you hike to the back of the oprchard thre are plenty of trees to choose from. The pumpkin patch was too cute though. No mess and a great selection. Overall bring the kids or your grandma, its a cute rustic day to get ur own produce.

The two locations we tend to frequent are Grafton and Belleville. Belleville is more commercialized but now have just about everything you could want from a country farm experience. They have a nice market and restaurant with excellent food. You can pick everything from apples, peaches, blackberries, strawberries and even pumpkins. Grafton is not as large and the drive on the great river road is wonderful so we tend to prefer the Grafton location.
For kids they have a small amusement park and petting zoo. My girls love the tractor ride to the orchards. Plenty of parking!
Tips… Hit the bathrooms before stepping in line to board the tractor. Save room for some pie and ice cream!

So the apple-​picking was fun, although it was early in the season so all they had were honey crisps and jonathans. Everyone was, of course, ga-​ga over the honey crisps, most of which were rotting on the trees. Oh, and super expensive. We picked the jonathans which were tasty, plentiful and fun. Apparently, though, the real reason we went was the custard. Three words for you: Dutch Apple Knocker. Hunks of real apple pie piled on as a sundae or blended into a concrete. Delicious!

I LOVE picking fruit. Eckerts is the perfect place for it, and I go every year at least twice. There isn’t much that is better than cooking and baking with local fruit that is in season. I have gone on a huge kick of freezing fruit to use in the off season and I love to bake.
This Eckerts is my favorite because it’s in Grafton. Grafton is the cutest little town, with shops, wineries, and restaurants right on the river. The drive up is beautiful. It’s also not too busy when I’ve gone. There are a lot of staff to help you.
This year, I picked blackberries that were HUGE and sweet. Also, peaches, twice — two varieties. Later in the season they are cheaper (99 cents a pound). I was there today to pick honey crisp apples, the best kind, in my opinion. I’ve also picked jonagolds and fujis. I’ll go back later this Fall to pick them again. I spent $ 100 on apples today and I am making a crapload of stuff with them!
Love.

If you are looking for a wonderful place to visit this fall, I would check out this place. They have pumpkins and ghords galore and you can pick your own apples… if you are a good baker, they are delicious in apple crisp!
Boyfriend and I spend an afternoon here — picked apples, bought some ghords, drank some cider, and brought a picnic to enjoy. It is a great place for kids and adults!