Autumn in Minnesota is the best! The fresh air, the beautiful red, yellow, and orange leaves, and of course, apples! Fall is just around the corner, and I must admit I’m ready for the season.
I’m daydreaming about homemade apple pie, caramel apples, and homemade applesauce. I could even go for a cup of warm apple cider after a relaxing stroll in the park this morning.
Lucky for us, there are several great apple orchards in MN and around the Twin Cities to visit for a fun-filled day of apple picking. Many of these apple orchards offer so much more than just apple picking. Explore corn mazes, take leisurely hayrides and participate in other fun activities at the best apple orchards in the Twin Cities!
So pack a picnic blanket, grab your camera, and get your family together. A day of exciting activities and good food awaits at some of the best apple orchards in the Twin Cities and all of Minnesota. Move over pumpkins and happy picking!
01. Aamodt’s Apple Farm – Stillwater
Open every day, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Pick your own apples Monday – Friday. Ride the Honeycrisp Express on Saturday or Sunday for $4/child.
Aamodt’s Apple Farm opens in August for the season! Visitors may pick their favorite varieties of apples (availability does vary) from trees or purchase a variety of apples and other goodies in the apple barn. Generally, in September, Aamodt’s Apple Farm will also host various fun fall activities.
For example, families should plan on spending a few good hours at Aamodt’s because the kids will want to take a ride on the Honeycrisp Express kiddie train rides (available on weekends only.)
The apple tree farm also has a play structure to keep the kiddos entertained while parents sit on a picnic blanket and enjoy apple bratwurst and maybe even a glass of cider or wine from St. Croix Vineyards. Oh, and don’t forget to see the goats! The goat farm is open every day and FREE for everyone.
To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, Aamodt’s won’t be offering wagon rides for the 2021 season.
There is no admission fee. Activities range from free to $3 per child.
02. Pine Tree Apple Orchard – White Bear Lake
Open Daily August – February, Weekends in March.
Call before stopping out because hours and activities do vary.
Address:450 Apple Orchard Road, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Apple season begins mid-August at Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake. Be sure to call the apple orchard before planning your visit because hours and activities do vary throughout the apple-picking season, based on their trees. Check out their bakery for some yummy treats!
Pine Tree Apple Orchard grows over 20 varieties of apples, and families can purchase apples from the orchard long after the harvest season. However, families won’t want to miss the opportunity to visit the farm during the fall with the beautiful trees and family fun activities.
Families can enjoy various activities at the apple orchard, such as taking a scenic wagon ride, listening to live music on the weekends, and getting lost in a corn maze.
The corn maze will be open from September 25th to October 24th, weather permitting. The maze will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM.
You can enter the maze as late as 3:00 PM. Starting October 6th, the maze will also be available Wednesday through Friday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Most guests take about thirty minutes to complete the maze. Afterward, stop by the orchard’s bakery and enjoy one of their famous, delicious homemade pies.
There is no admission fee, but guests should be prepared to pay a fee for some of the activities that are available, like the rides.
03. Afton Apple Orchard – Hastings
Open daily, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Corn maze is open Fridays 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Saturdays 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Sundays 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Jump Pad and Cow Train are open weekends from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Afton Apple Orchard has a variety of events you don’t want to miss:
Theirapple festival runs October 2nd and 3rd, 9th & 10th, and 16th & 17th, 2021! Come and enjoy some great music, family-friendly yard games, and even magic shows! They are open seven days a week from 10 AM to 6 PM through Halloween. Afton admission is $5.00 for ages 5 and older and $4.00 for ages 4 and younger.
And if you’re looking for a hayride, you’re in luck. Hayrides will run from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM on weekdays and 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM on weekends.
Your little people will also love burning off some energy on their gigantic Jump Pad or taking a ride on the Cow Train!
Hayrides, Jump Pad admission, and Cow Train rides are $2 per person and are dependent on the weather.
The season at Applewood Orchard opens on September 4th for the 2021 season. A variety of apples will be available to pick throughout September and early October. The apple orchard offers a wide variety of apples, including Honeygold, SnowSweet, and the long-lasting Keepsake.
Your kiddos will especially enjoy Little Farmville. Their imaginations will run wild as they drive the little pedal tractors down the gravel paths.
Applewood knows you love your furry friends, but they ask that you leave them at home when you visit the orchard.
Applewood Orchard does not charge an admission fee; however, hayrides are available on weekends for a small price. The corn maze is closed for the 2021 season for field maintenance.
05. Minnetonka Orchard – Minnetrista
Open Wednesday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM for U-Pick and Retail Barn, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM for all activities.
U-Picking Sweet 16 and Honeycrisp Apples at Minnetonka Orchards starting mid-August. Other varieties will be available throughout the rest of the season.
You’ll find hayrides, a children’s train, hay mountain, face painting, live music, and much more every weekend.
WEEKENDS Sat-Sun 10:00 AM -7:00 PM $10.00 ADMISSION FEE for adults. $7 for children ages 3 -13 and free to children less than 3 years old.
WEEKDAYS Wed-Fri 10:00 AM-6:00 PM for U-Pick and Retail Barn. Entrance is free on weekdays.
Enjoy $3.00 hayrides, a kids play area, nature trails, corn maze, and petting zoo, plus animals to view.
The apple season goes through October 31st, so stop out before all the varieties of apples are gone!
This family-friendly place offers something for everyone. Spend the day or just a few hours – there’s plenty to do
Minnetonka Orchards offers some wonderful fall treats. Come out and enjoy a hot cider or apple donut on a crisp fall day. There’s even a Caramel Hut, so indulge your sweet tooth!
06. Pleasant Valley Orchard – Shafer
Open daily, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Address:17325 Pleasant Valley Rd, Shafer, MN 55074
Pleasant Valley opens Labor Day Weekend 2021. Stop by September 4th to kick off the apple season. Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
If you want to pick your apples, be sure to visit the apple orchard on weekends from Labor Day weekend through the end of October.
Enjoy a variety of activities every day of the week, including the nature trail, farm animals, the Kids Korral, corn box, and lots of delicious, apple-y treats! Guests may purchase caramel apples, scones, turnovers, cookies, and more at the farm throughout the harvest season.
The Pleasant Valley Food Trailer is a new addition that will be open every weekend day from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Grab a fresh cider donut or try a brat. Guests will also have the opportunity to listen to live music on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Their lineup for 2021 includes bluegrass, old-time, gospel, and country.
There is no admission fee, but there is a $4 fee per person for some of the activities that are available.
07. Apple Jack Orchards – Delano
Open daily, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (August 16th – November 23rd)
The Apple Market and Bakery opens on August 16th, 2021. Stop by from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily at Apple Jack Orchards, and family-friendly fall activities will begin on Labor Day Weekend in September.
The apple orchard offers a free play area for kids, and families may enjoy lunch outside while overlooking Crow River. Family-friendly weekend activities include a corn pit, wagon rides, apple picking, and an apple cannon. You’ll enjoy the variety of events this orchard plans throughout the fall.
U-Pick admission is $5. For an additional $5, you also get access to a variety of fun activities. The Corn Pit, Corn Maze, and Jumping Pillow are available every day, while the Wagon Ride, AppleCannon, and Cow Train are only available on weekends. Children under age 2 or over the age of 65 get in for free.
08. Emma Krumbee’s Orchard and Farm – Belle Plaine
Open daily, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Mid-August – October)
Address:311 E Enterprise Dr., Belle Plaine, MN 56011
Emma Krumbee’s Apple Orchard and Farm offer ten varieties of apples throughout the apple picking season, which begins in mid-August. Many families love the Honeycrisp from this orchard. The real fun starts in early September with the Annual Scarecrow Festival, which runs through late October. In addition to apple picking, the festival features a scarecrow display, WEEKDAYS Mon-Fri 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.
They offer a wide variety of apples, as well as raspberries, pumpkins, and other veggies and plants.
Admission during the Annual Scarecrow Festival is $6.50 per person (plus tax). However, children ages 2 and under are free. Entry includes the scarecrow display, rides, and many other family-friendly activities.
09. LuceLine Orchard – Watertown
Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (September 8th– October 31st, 2021). The last hayride starts at 5:30, and no food orders are taken after 5:30.
On weekdays, enjoy the 30-acre Corn Maze, the little tots zip line, swings, hay mountains, corn tent, Tire Tower, or nature trail. Your kids will love to visit the farm animals. The sunflower field is also amazing.
In addition to stocking up on your apple supply at LuceLine Orchard, you and your family are encouraged to stay for a long day to enjoy some good food in the “Mess Hall” and a relaxing walk on the trails. There will be many chances to tire your kids out, too! The apple orchard will have a petting zoo, a hay mountain, a corn pit, and other activities going on throughout the fall.
There is no admission fee to visit LuceLine Orchard. Parking is free, too! There are fees for some of the activities, including the hayride and corn maze. Hayrides and the Kiddie Train are only available on weekends.
Before planning your family’s visit to an apple orchard this fall, be sure to check the orchard’s website or Facebook page for more information about current deals and events. Don’t forget to preheat your oven so you can get those apple pies baking! Fall isn’t just about pumpkins!
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