The Old Farm In Illinois That's A Cafe, Store, And Event Venue All In One
By Melissa Mahoney|Published December 28, 2021
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Abbey Farms in Illinois is not your average farm. While it does offer seasonal U-pick fruit and vegetables and U-cut Christmas trees, it’s also a family-friendly agritourism destination. It’s a place where you can spend a day enjoying the great outdoors, grab a bite to eat, window shop, and even attend one of the many events held throughout the year.
The 300-acre Abbey Farms was established in 1949 and is run by and for the Monks of Marmion Abbey in Aurora, Illinois.
This unique non-profit farm, which is run almost entirely by volunteers, offers plenty of old-fashioned, family-friendly fun throughout the seasons. It has become a quite the destination for agritourism and all events held here benefit the abbey.
The Abbey's 6,000-square foot store, called the Nagel Farmstead Emporium Store, is filled with numerous specialty food items as well as produce, beer, and wine made by Marmion Abbey, gift items, and so much more.
Within the store, you'll also find a bakery with variety of freshly baked goods. Whether it's a pie, cookies, brownies, donuts, or gluten free items, you won't be able to resist taking something home!
Grab a bite to eat at The Emporium Cafe. On the menu, you'll find plenty of delicious options like sandwiches, flatbreads, a charcuterie board, soups, and salads. There are also items for the kids.
On the farm's propety is an 8,000-square foot event venue called The Nagel Emporium. Made with reclaimed barn wood and decorated with chandeliers, this venue provides a rustic-yet-elegant setting for weddings, live music, and other events.
How would you like to visit the incredibly unique Abbey Farms in Illinois? Have you ever been here for an event? Tell us in the comments! To learn more about this incredible place, visit the Abbey Farms website and Facebook page.
If you enjoy farm-fresh food, check out these farm restaurants that are worth a trip out into the Illinois countryside.
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