Do you need an idea for some family fun? I highly suggest checking out Eckert’s. We went to the Eckert’s in Belleville for the last day of Blackberry Jam Festival. They have so many family friendly activities for the whole family to enjoy no matter the time of season you choose to visit.
Being able to pick-your-own food at Eckert’s is such a great learning experience and fun activity for the whole family. I have previously picked my own peaches, pumpkins and apples at Eckert’s. I was excited that I had the opportunity to pick-your-own again because we always have a blast and make life-long memories. We had the chance to pick blackberries, vegetables and flowers this time around.
We took a tractor ride to go pick blackberries, which was a great experience for my kids in itself.
The blackberries were HUGE, juicy, sweet and delicious. My kids love to be able to just pick right off the bush and enjoy.
We were able to pick vegetables this time of year. Eckert’s has a wide variety of vegetables. See here for a list of vegetables that can be picked.
Eckert’s has pick-your-own flowers. My daughter was fascinated with the sun flowers.
If you need even more entertainment and family fun, visit the kid activities. The kid activities are only during special times. Make sure you visit the website to find out when the activities are being held. I know apple picking season is right around the corner and the kid activities are out during apple picking.
My daughter’s favorite was riding the ponies.
If you want to indulge in some down-home cooking or choose from seasonal options, Eckert’s Country Restaurant is the place to eat.
It is a family friendly restaurant. We had to wait for a table, but it was no problem because they have a kids’ corner filled with toys that keep the kids occupied.
These biscuits were so good! I am embarrassed to say we did ask for a second helping.
The kids’ food was served on a Frisbee that they got to keep! Keep reading to see why the Frisbee was really useful besides being entertained.
We ordered the Aunt Helen’s Strawberry Salad. It was the perfect meal for a hot, humid day. I hear the fried chicken is amazing. I will have to check it out the next time we visit.
To end the day, we had yummy custard from the Custard Shop. The kids were wiped out by this point as was I, so we decided to eat the ice cream in the car. Thank goodness for the Frisbee because the kids couldn’t spill it all over my car. Who knew a Frisbee could be more than just entertainment?
Eckert’s has so many events that can keep you busy year-round. Eckert’s has cooking classes, concerts, seasonal festivals (we had the chance to visit during the last day of Blackberry Jam Festival), birthday parties, plus much more. Visit Eckert’s website to see all of the fun events and activities that Eckert’s has to offer.
Eckert’s has a Country Store and Garden Store that you can’t forget about. The Country Store has unique and specialty items as well as your traditional items. The Garden Store has everything you need to make a yard look superb.
Eckert’s is located at 951 S. Green Mount Rd, Belleville, Illinois 62220. It is a short 30 minute drive from St. Louis.
Phone: (618) 233-0513 or (800) 745-0513
Hours of Operation:
Restaurant: 7am – 9pm Daily
Country Store: 8am – 8pm (Sun – Thurs) & 8am – 9pm (Fri & Sat)
Custard Shop: 11am – 9pm Daily
Disclosure: We were a guest of Eckert’s for the day but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
WOW!! i’m definitely adding this into our must visit list the next time we visit Belleville, Illinois
What a fun place. I love going berry picking with the family. We have similar places close to where we live. I need to head there soon.
That looks like so much fun to go picking! I wish this was closer to us!
Looks like a fun place!
We enjoy picking strawberries! Fun place!
oh wow, I’d love to live where they have things like this. I’ve never been to a blackberry festival, it sure looks like fun, and such nice pictures. I get excited if I find a wild blackberry bush and pick a few ripe berries, a whole basket would be great. The fun eats, activities, fresh air, so much to enjoy!
We love to visit Eckerts since it is so close to us. We need to get over there for blackberries. Our last visit was for strawberries. They also have great cooking classes for kids.
This sounds like a very fun day at the farm.
LOVED the pics, they told the whole story and I enjoyed seeing how much fun the kids had
What a fun day for the kids being able to pick up their own delicious looking fruits and vegetables!