Eckert's Farm, Grafton

Location: 20995 Eckert Orchard Rd, Grafton, IL 62037

Website: http://www.eckerts.com/grafton-farm

There are several things you need to know about this farm. It is seasonal, and it's only open during the summer for blackberries and peaches and closes at the end of October after the apple and pumpkin season ends. Second- their website is incorrect about the kid activities offered. They state that during apple and pumpkin seasons in September and October, kids activities on Saturdays and Sundays include:

• Carnival rides – all carnival rides & inflatables require ride tickets which can be purchased at the Fun Korral gate. Tickets are $2 each or 6 for $10.
• Petting farm – we have feed machines available that take quarters
• Pony and camel rides 
• Sandboxes
• Miniature golf

When we went there were no sandboxes or miniature golf. The petting farm is all goats and a couple alpacas. The carnival rides were one spinning ride, 2 inflatables, and a train that went around in a circle.  Also, there is a permanent wooden play structure there but they do not have that listed. 

 A fun way to get to the farm is to take the Grafton ferry. We had never done that before and the kids enjoyed it just as much as the farm! It's $9 one way or $17 round trip.

 You can get out and watch or stay in the comfort of your car. 

To do the activities you need to buy tickets. I spent $10 on 6 tickets. I had 2 kids so they each got to do 3 things. It was perfect because they really only had 3 things (the train, the spinning ride, and the bounce house). The kid activities included this train:

 This spinning ride

 Horse and camel rides ($6 each)

 Wooden play structure and buried tires to climb on (free)

 2 inflatables

goat pen (free to pet and you could put quarters in the machine to feed them)

There is a hayride out to the orchard to pick apples or you can pick pumpkins.

There are lots of cute areas for photos of your kids

They also have a store with lots of yummy goods for sale and a restaurant too.  This location is smaller than the Millstadt and Belleville locations but still offers lots of fall fun. In all, I spent $9 for the ferry and $10 for the rides.