Plan Your Visit

Daily Admission

Admission can be purchased for Blackberry Farm prior to arriving by purchasing your tickets here. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the park entrance for walk-up purchase.

Military: $2 off admission for up to four individuals.

NOTE: Resident rates apply to those who live in Aurora, North Aurora, Montgomery and Sugar Grove. Proof of residency is required. Acceptable proof of residency is a driver’s license, state ID, utility bill with picture ID, rental/house contract with picture ID, or insurance card. If you are uncertain about your status, view the Fox Valley Park District Resident Boundary Map.

Blackberry Farm

100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora, Illinois ● 630-892-1550 ● Directions

Parking

Parking is always free at Blackberry Farm. During busy days, overflow parking is available across the street at Splash Country Water Park.

Rides & Attractions

All of Blackberry Farm’s rides including the train, hay wagon, paddle boats, carousel and ponies are available during your visit. In addition to the rides, Blackberry Farm offers a variety of additional amenities that guests can enjoy including Little Farmer’s Junction pedal tractors, Adventure Playground, and the Discovery Barn.

Big Rock Steam Train

All aboard! The steam-engine replica train and its open-air passenger cars take you on a 3/4-mile tour around scenic Lake Gregory – about a 7-minute ride across the grounds of Blackberry Farm. See historic pioneer cabins and enjoy sites of turtles sunbathing and even the occasional bass leaping in Lake Gregory. The train is wheelchair accessible. Those needing accommodations should line up on the wheelchair ramp; staff will assist prior to the train boarding.

Paddle Boats

Float on Lake Gregory is a four-seat paddle boat. We also have one ADA-accessible paddle boat that has a hand crank, rather than a traditional foot pedal. One passenger must be a minimum of 16 years old (I.D. Required). Passengers under age 18 require parent/guardian permission waiver.

Carousel 

Enjoy the old-fashioned merry-go-round reminiscent of fairs and carnivals of yesteryear.

Hay Wagon

Hop aboard the hay-less hay wagon to enjoy a ride in the same way pioneer farm kids used to get around.

Pony Rides

Children delight in saddling up for a ride in the pony ring. For the safety of the ponies, this attraction is restricted to children under 70 pounds. Please note, the ponies take 15-minute breaks at 1 and 3 p.m.

Little Farmer’s Junction

Tot area is geared toward children ages 6 and under. Children can ride bikes and toy cars around a paved bike track and enjoy the nearby sensory tables.

Adventure Playground

An extensive network of climbing decks, slides, ropes and catwalk-style bridges connecting an array of playhouses on multiple levels.

Open May through September

(Note: Due to the high-skill requirements of our historical interpreters, not all sites are open every day.)

Museum Sites

Pioneer Cabin (1840s)

Observe demonstrations of Dutch oven cooking, candle dipping, soap making, heirloom gardens, and butter making.

Wagner House (1840s)

Post-Civil War era house, once owned by the Wagner family, a prominent 19th century Aurora family believed to have been involved in the Underground Railroad.

Pottery Shop (1850s)

See how pioneer cookware is crafted – from wet clay to finished product. All items are fired on-site.

Big Rock Train Depot (1860s)

One of the two original buildings at Blackberry Farm. See what a train lobby and ticket window looked like in the mid-1800s.

Spinning and Weaving Cabin (1860s):

Watch and learn how spinners card and spin wool for clothing. Observe weavers working on rugs and textiles on antique looms.

Blacksmith Shop (1900s)

Watch the blacksmith at work on our forge.

One-Room Schoolhouse (1880s)

One school, one classroom. See what learning was like for students in the 1880s.

Huntoon House (1890s)

See Victorian room settings, treadle sewing demonstrations, and temporary exhibits.

Early Streets Museum

Visit 12 shops fashioned after 1880s downtown Aurora, nicknamed the City of Lights because it was the first city in America to install electric street lighting.

Carriage House

Houses an extensive 40-vehicle collection of horse-drawn carriages and carts.

Stroller Rental

Rent an all-terrain stroller at the admission window for your visit. Strollers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Single stroller: $10
Double stroller: $12
Wagon: $12

Dining & Shops 

The Summer Kitchen and Blackberry Farm gift shop are open. Water filling stations are available throughout the park.

Concessions

Don’t want to pack a lunch? The Summer Kitchen concession stand offers a great menu with a variety of favorite food items at reasonable prices.

Shopping

Visit Blackberry’s General Store Gift Shop at the end our your trip to bring home a memento of the day. Purchase items like local honey, delicious pumpkin butter, or a plush animal for the kids.

Can I bring food into Blackberry Farm?
Yes. Any outside food is allowed, except alcohol. We have numerous picnic tables throughout the park for our guests to enjoy.

What is included with admission to Blackberry Farm?
Parking and all rides, amenities, and attractions are included. Pay once at the admissions window and you’re good to go for the day!

Does Blackberry Farm stay open when it’s raining?
Yes, we are open rain or shine. In the event of inclement or severe weather (lightning), the park may shut down but will re-open once the dangerous weather has moved away. Guests are welcome to stay in an indoor location during bad weather. All ticket sales are final; refunds and ticket transfers are not available after purchase. If storms are prolonged and force us to close the park for the remainder of the day, guests will be issued rainchecks to return on another day.

Is fishing allowed?
Yes, fishing in Lake Gregory is allowed. It is catch and release only. Fishing can be enjoyed any day of the week during operating hours with paid admission or valid Blackberry Farm Season Pass. Anglers must obtain a valid Illinois fishing license.

If a picnic area is not reserved, can I use it?
Yes, any picnic areas that are not reserved are considered open and available. However, it cannot be closed off to other guests.

Can I bring sports equipment into the park?
No, due to safety reasons and the large number of guests who enter the park each day, we do not allow sports equipment in Blackberry Farm.

Can my child bring a scooter or skateboard inside the park?
No, we do not allow scooters or skateboards out of consideration for our guests’ safety.

Is Blackberry Farm handicap accessible?
Yes! However, the train and paddle boats are the only two rides that are handicap accessible.

Does Blackberry Farm grow blackberries we can pick?
No. Blackberry Farm does not have blackberries for picking. The name derives from Blackberry Creek, which runs along the east side of the park and can be seen while riding the train and hay wagon.

Can I bring animals inside Blackberry Farm?
Only service dogs are allowed inside Blackberry Farm, all other animals are prohibited.

How old does my child have to be in order to visit Blackberry Farm on their own?
Children under 13 years old must be accompanied and actively supervised at all times when visiting Blackberry Farm. Guests over 13 years of age are permitted to enter the facility without adult supervision.