Get your sweaters ready because it’s open season on apples at these orchards in Minnesota.
Whether you’re looking to lose yourself in a labyrinth of corn, choose the largest pumpkin fit for carving that you can carry, or just sip cider like the refined adult you are—these apple orchards in Minnesota have just what you need.
Pine Tree Apple Orchard
Where: 450 Apple Orchard Rd., White Bear Lake, MN
When: Mon.–Fri, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. & Sat.–Sun., 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Admission: Free
Pine Tree Apple Orchard is the autumnal jewel of the White Bear Lake area. The grounds are home to a beautiful orchard nestled into the rolling hills of the countryside, alongside the sparkling Pine Tree Lake.
Here you can traverse the idyllic apple orchard (but you can’t pick them here), pick your own pumpkins starting October 3, navigate the corn maze starting September 26, and visit the cute barn gift shop.
With 22 apple varieties to choose from, depending on seasonal timing, Pine Tree is brimming with apples fit for snacking, baking, cidering, jamming, and more. Speaking of baking, the Pine Tree barn doles out incredible baked goods, including five different apple pies (plus pumpkin, strawberry rhubarb, and even mincemeat), plus apple doughnuts, apple cakes, apple crisp, apple bars, and more.
Since the orchard also has a summer strawberry season, its selection includes strawberry bakery items as well!
Apple Jack Orchards
Where: 4875 37th St. SE, Delano, MN
When: TBA (opens Labor Day)
Admission: $10 weekdays, $20 weekends, and $5 Wednesdays
This pick-your-own apple orchard can easily support an entire day of fall fun, Apple Jack Orchards-style.
Stroll the expansive orchard and collect a bushel of the reddest, juiciest apples you can find. Hitch a ride on the wagon to the pumpkin patch to find your just-right jack-o’-lantern. Grab lunch from the cafe, where you can get homegrown eats including mac ‘n’ cheese, sloppy joes, and pumpkin bars—and bring your meal out to the picnic tables for an idyllic fall picnic.
Then, browse the gift shop for souvenirs and load your arms with fall baked goods.
LuceLine Orchard
Where: 2755 Rose Ave., Watertown, MN
When: Wed.–Fri., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. & Sat.–Sun., 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Admission: Free
With more than 1,500 Google reviews and an average rating of 4.8, LuceLine Orchard is your spot.
In addition to apple picking, hayrides, and pumpkins, LuceLine Orchard has entertainment galore. Enjoy live music with a rotation of bands throughout the fall season, from singer-songwriters to country acts and polka bands. Shop the merch barn for gifts, treats, and trinkets. Try out all the games and walk the nature trail, too.
For drinks and food, visit LuceLine’s very own Dog House Pub for libations like apple sangria and boozy cider, or nosh on special LuceLine food truck fare like caramel apple brats (with caramelized apple and onion slaw), and fan favorite apple fritters.
This year’s 13-acre corn maze theme is Jurassic Farm, featuring a dino design. Choose a half-mile loop, a 1.8-mile maze, or get lost in the 3.4-mile labyrinth. If that’s not enough of a challenge, up the ante with the scavenger hunt: Can you find all 12 checkpoints within the twists and turns?
Ferguson’s Minnesota Harvest
Where: 8251 Old Hwy. 169 Blvd., Jordan, MN
When: Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–6 p.m. & Sat.–Sun., 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Admission: $18
Home to Apple Blossom Park, Ferguson’s Minnesota Harvest is a sprawling space with plenty of fun fall activities. Here you can pluck your own apples and pick your own pumpkins.
It’s also got a generous indoor space for shopping and dining. The Craft Cider Bar features Minnesota-brewed ciders (as well as beer and wine), and you can lunch at the Harvest Bistro.
Games not your thing? Want to avoid admission? It’s free to visit the pumpkin patch, the country store and bakery, and the bistro and bar (though you’ll have to purchase your pumpkin and other spoils).
Montgomery Orchard
Where: 15953 State Highway 99, Montgomery, MN
When: TBA (opens Sept. 12)
Admission: Free
For an adult-coded experience, Montgomery Orchard is a peaceful pick-your-own apple orchard with a corn maze that aims to bring its guests closer to nature. The orchard hosts live music and orchard tours, and has an on-site cidery and winery.
At the Cider Haus, Montgomery Orchard produces wine and cider made from fruit grown at the orchard—including its house special “Plum Crazy” plum wine. The orchard takes its craft seriously and has a generous menu of six one-of-a-kind wines and five dynamic ciders.
Visit Montgomery Orchard for a laid-back yet quintessentially autumnal experience.
Apple Creek Orchard
Where: 5524 185th St. W., Faribault, MN
When: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (for entertainment; store and concession hours differ)
Admission: $10 weekdays/$12 weekends
Apple Creek Orchard has everything you need for a fun fall excursion, including you-pick apples, an 8-acre corn maze, leisurely wagon rides, and an apple slingshot target course.
Make a day of it with lunch concessions including pulled pork sammies, pizza, and nachos, plus sweet treats like apples and caramel dip and apple cider slushies (alcoholic or non).
Blossom Hill Orchard and Farm
Where: 645 Highway 52 E., Preston, MN
When: Mon.–Fri., 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. & Sat.–Sun., 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Blossom Hill Orchard and Farm is a small family-owned farm in the bluffs region. Here, it’s all about the apples. Come pick your own in quiet, idyllic surroundings—but check its Facebook page to confirm picking is available for the day.
The farm is worth the visit for its lunch and pastries alone. Get them from the Blossom Hill shop. The farm serves enviable pulled pork sammies with apple slaw, jumbo pretzels, and charcuterie boards—plus a slew of baked goods including muffins, turnovers, kolaches, cookies, and pies. These aren’t your everyday apple pies; they’re crafted by a baker who went to culinary school in Florence, Italy.
Come for the apple picking, stay for the cozy vibes and comfort food.
Pleasant Valley Orchards
Where: 17325 Pleasant Valley Rd., Shafer, MN
When: Mon.–Sun.,10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Admission: Free
Pleasant Valley Orchards offers apple picking, live music, and a rotating plate of food trucks on Saturdays and Sundays, plus a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, scenic orchard hayrides, and the Pleasant Valley food trailer throughout the week.
The farm also hosts several special events and fairs throughout the season. Oh, and don’t forget to pick up the signature, double-crusted Pleasant Valley Orchard Apple Pie.
Aamodt’s Apple Farm
Where: 6428 Manning Ave. N., Stillwater, MN
When: Mon.–Sun.,10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Admission: Free
Pick your own at Aamodt’s Apple Farm! This rustic orchard is for a low-key sweater-weather day, complete with wagon rides and a goat farm.
The more than 50-acre site also welcomes its guests to walk the grounds and vineyards and take in the sights this St. Croix River Valley orchard has to offer. After your picturesque walk, visit the 1880s Apple Barn for goods and gifts: browse for Aamodt’s own jams, jellies, apple butters, and salsa.
For even more fall fun, make your way to the property’s other outfits: Thor’s Hard Cider taproom or the Saint Croix Vineyards tasting room.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
