It’s that time of year again when we layer up and head out to our favorite apple orchards to soak up the few days of fall that we get in Minnesota.
Check out our guide to Apple Orchards for harvest goodness! And check out our Twin Cities Guide to Fall for more seasonal fun!
Pinetree Apple Orchard
Location: 450 Apple Orchard Rd, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM, daily
Pinetree Apple Orchard is nestled right beside White Bear Lake. The drive takes you through tree-lined roads, along sprawling manicured lawns, and right to Orchard Lane. It is the definition of picturesque. This is your one-stop shop for all things fall. Apple picking, live music on the weekends, hay rides, and a huge farmhouse-style store with all things apple. Just walking into the main store you are overtaken with the smell of apple, cinnamon, and spices. It would take too long to list all the delectable treats you can purchase but I can personally attest to the deliciousness of the apple popovers, apple cider donuts, caramel apples, and every fall-themed pie you can think of. There is plenty of parking and more picnic tables than you can imagine to sit and enjoy the view of the breathtaking lake while you devour your apple. Kids will enjoy watching the conveyor belt inside sorting the apples as well as plenty of open space to run and play.
Aamodt’s Apple Farm
Location: 6428 Manning Ave N, Stillwater, MN 55082
Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM, daily
Aamodt’s Apple Farm is located south of the cities in Stillwater and is also a long-time family-owned establishment. I highly recommend checking out their website and reading the story of how their family came to own this orchard. Of course, there’s apple picking but you can also enjoy the goat farm and wagon rides. When many orchards offer the same type of experience, Aamodt’s has a winery! St Croix Vineyards has been making wine for more than 27 years. The vineyard offers tastings and wine-making tours! If wine isn’t your speed, they also are home to Thor’s Hard Cider. This apple orchard has found new and inventive ways to stay relevant in this market and it’s worth the drive.
Applewood Orchard
Location: 22702 Hamburg Ave, Lakeville, MN 55044
Hours: Monday – Tuesday, 11 AM – 6 PM / Wednesday – Friday 10 AM – 6 PM / Saturday – Sunday, 9 AM – 6 PM
Applewood Orchard is located just south of the Twin Cities in Lakeville. Applewood is a smaller-scale orchard with fun things to do for families, especially with younger children. They have playsets for kids to climb on, a corn pit with shovels and buckets, and most importantly an adorable “little Farmville” where kids can drive their pedal tractors on dirt roads. Applewood Orchard has a lot of space for kids to run around and pick their own apples or grab and go with pre-picked bags. Some orchards can be overwhelming for some kids and this is a great way to experience an apple orchard on a smaller scale.
Afton Apple Orchard
Location: 14421 90th St S, Hastings, MN 55033
Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM, daily
Afton Apple Orchard is located in Hastings and does require an admission fee for access to the orchard, petting farm, “straw mountain”, yard games, and a giant rocking chair to name a few. The many play areas can keep the kids busy with Johnny Combine, Retread Hill, spider web, or giant swing. When you first drive into Afton you will see a massive 15-acre corn maze. Pro tip: if you have tweens or teens I would highly suggest letting them run free while telling you how easy it will be. This farm has a variety of fresh fruit for purchase or pick, including blackberries, raspberries, pumpkins, corn, squash, gourds as well as apples. On the weekends they often have magic shows, or live music to sit and enjoy while chomping on your apple or chasing a toddler. If you find yourself without the time or energy or help to run around an orchard, this farm offers an order online option.
Brand Farms
Location: 18605 Biscayne Ave, Farmington, MN 55024
Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM, daily
Brand Farms is located in Farmington and is a fourth-generation run farm. This farm also runs a CSA so you may recognize their logo at local farmers markets. This orchard is probably the most unique, offering apple cannons, and a pumpkin patch with the most hysterical pumpkin-themed creatures inhabiting it. I suggest arriving at this orchard on an empty stomach. On the weekends they have food trucks, and they make their own apple butter, pumpkin butter, and salsas just to name a few. On those unseasonably warm fall days, you can never go wrong with an apple cider slushie topped off with an apple cider donut. And you don’t want to forget your farm fresh eggs before you leave. This orchard takes you on a lovely tractor ride to the apple trees, and a driver with a new “Dad joke” for every group. As the tractor pulls you down to the apple orchard you first set eyes on the spectacular views of their gorgeous sunflower field. Brand Farms have more photo areas than any orchard I have seen, most importantly your classic cut out which you can use each year to measure how much older or taller your kids are. The kids always seem to remember the spot and even when they’re older will cooperate to get the shot.
Always be sure to check the website and/or social media pages for the best up-to-date info on events, specific apple varieties as well as hours of operation. I highly recommend you try a new orchard this year, it’s a great way to support local businesses, eat a little healthy, and make new memories.
PRO TIP: If you can visit an orchard during a Vikings game, you’ll have the place to yourself!