Apple Orchard Guide for the Twin Cities area

Apple season is always a fun time of the year to gather friends and family and head out to visit one of the many local apple orchards located in the Twin Cities area or a short drive from the Twin Cities. Whether your goal is to picnic, pick-your-own apples or just enjoy the festive activities offered, the Twin Cities has a number of great options to pick from.

Afton Apple Orchard, Hastings, open 10 a.m – 6 p.m. daily, admission is $5 for ages 5 and older and $4 for ages 4 and younger, activities include hayrides into the orchard, huge playground, straw mountain, petting farm, Moo Moo Cho Choo train and Jump Pad available on weekends 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. ($2 person), farm fresh market, 15 acre corn maze available for an extra fee, September 16 – October 29 (open Fridays 4 – 10 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Sundays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – $9 for ages 11 and up, $7 children 2-10).
Aamodts Apple Farm, Stillwater, open daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. August – December, pick your own apples when available 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., FREE admission, activities include Honey Crisp kid’s Express ($3/child), treasure hunt, goat farm, John Deere Kiddie Trike and Tractor Farm ($2/child), Wagon rides ($3/person, under 3 FREE), apple barn and bakery, wine tasting, picnic area.
Apple Jack Orchards, Delano, opening Sept. 8 for Apple picking, FREE admission, daily activities include Apple Market, bakery, cafe, country store, animals, play area, weekend activities include live music, wagon rides, cow train, jumping pillow, giant corn pit, apple cannon, corn maze, kid’s zip lines, pony rides, pick your own apples not available this season.
Apple Ridge Orchards & Vineyard, Mazeppa, open daily Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday-Friday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., FREE admission, u-pick apples and grapes, family u-pick wagon rides, u-pick honeycrisp, two corn mazes for kids and grownups, animal barnyard, fresh market.
Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, Hastings, Minnesota campus open daily 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., the Apple Shack is open to the public 7 days a week during apple season, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Apple Fest is October 14th and 15th, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., pick your own apples, hay rides, educational programs, music, pumpkin decorating, apple brats and more, there is no fee to enter the nature center.
Center Creek Orchard, Fairmont, open weekends in September and October 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., admission $9 per person, 2 and under are FREE, (open MEA), activities include hayrides, Jump Pad, corn pile, apple sling, barrel rides, scarecrow building, super slide, giant maze, storytelling, scavenger hunt, crawling tunnels, haunted forest, miniature golf, pony rides, caramel apples, apple cider slush, apple pies, apple crisp.
Center Grove Orchard, Cambridge, Farmyard opening September 9th, Monday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Farmyard Admission $9.95 (M-F), $12.95 (Sat. & Sun) ages 2 and under FREE, activities include pedal carts, kids Corral, hayrides, Jumping Pillows, hay maze, rubber duck races, apple sling shot (weekends), farm animals, Discovery Barn, super slides, pig races (weekends), corn pool, CGO Express Train ($3/ticket), pick your own apples, Hay Cafe and Country Store.
Deardorff Orchards, Waconia, Tuesday – Sunday through October 30, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Closed Mondays), FREE admission, pet friendly, activities include pick-your-own apples, tractor wagon rides, red wagons for kids, farm animals, kid’s haystack, pumpkin patch, hot cider and coffee, rustic apple barn full of goodies.
Dumas Apple Orchard, Long Lake, open Sunday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., open for the season September 1. Many pre-picked apples available to choose from, no self picking available. Check web site for daily specials.
Emma’s Apple Orchard, Belle Plaine, open daily mid-August through October, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., activities include tractor-pulled wagon rides, homemade goodies fresh daily, pumpkin patch, scarecrow display, farm animals, giant haystack, tombstone forest, all terrain farm trikes, mountain slide, mountain ride, Half Peck Play Area with Monster Trucks, train and tractor, pirate ship, Goat Habitrail, The Barrell Express.
Hidden Cove Orchard, Cold Spring, General Hours for pre-picked apples and gift shop, Thursday-Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Fall Apple Time Festival, October 7 & 8th, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Apple Happy Hour (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.), FREE admission, activities include horse drawn wagon rides, live music, homemade apple pies, dumplings and more, lunch stands, homegrown veggies, apples.
Jake’s Apple Shack, Stanchfield (near Cambridge), Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesday 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and Friday 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., FREE admission, pick your own apples, hay maze, picnic area (Note – hours based on events in 2016, check web site for most current hours).
Maiden Rock Vineyard and Cidery, Stockholm, WI, open daily July-October, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Nov.-March, Sat. & Sun. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., April-June, Thurs.-Mon. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., activities include orchard tours, wagon rides, picnics, straw maze for little kids, a corn maze for those looking for more challenge, plus other outdoor fun. You can pick your own apples or select pre-picked apples in the barn.
Minnetonka Orchards, Minnetonka, open every day at 10 a.m., FREE admission during the weekdays with $3 hayrides (no food served weekdays), Admission $7 on weekends, which includes unlimited hayrides, corn maze, hay mountain, kids play area, trails, petting zoo, music on the hill, Kids 12 and under will receive a complimentary Face Painting, one Apple Express Ride and one Apple Sling Shot ticket (NEW).
Minnesota Harvest Orchards, Jordan, open weekends 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and weekdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Admission $5/car during September and October, activities include pick your own apples, tours, petting zoo, bonfires, historical farm.
Pinehaven Farm, Wyoming, open Sept. 24 – October 31, weekdays noon – 6:30 p.m., weekends 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Admission $9.99 + tax, age 2 and under FREE, discount coupons available on their web site, Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesdays Admission discounted to $7.50, Thursday and Fridays discounted to $8.99, Activities include magic show, Captain Jack Sparrow Impersonator, 5 acre corn maze, jumbo jumper jumping pillow, pumpkin cannon, mini train ride for kids, giant slide, weekend concessions, pumpkin eating dragon show (weekends), Sweets & Treats Shop, trolley hay ride to the pumpkin patch, children’s play area, spider web, rubber duck race. Home of the Dead End Haunted Hayride (extra fees – information on web site).
Pine Tree Apple Orchard, White Bear Lake, Main Sales Room open daily 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Outdoor Activities, Friday, Saturday and Sunday hours 1 – 5 p.m. (hours vary during the weekdays – check web site), FREE admission, fall weekend activities include live music, pony rides, wagon rides, corn maze, pick your own pumpkins, home baked apple products, fresh cider, pick-your-own apples, Run and Walk for Apples (Oct. 21), Ladies of the Lake Quilting Show (Oct. 21 & 22, 28 & 29, 12 – 4 p.m.).
Pleasant Valley Orchard, Shafer (near Taylors Falls overlooking the St. Croix Valley), open daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., daily activities include kids korral (hay pile play area with hobby horses and vintage tractor), nature trail and picnic area, hayride to the pumpkin patch, pumpkin bake-off on October 28 (Pick up your registration form and pumpkin by October 28).
Sunrise River Apple Farm, Wyoming, Tuesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., FREE admission and parking, activities include pick-your-own apples, playground, picnic area, arm fresh market, petting zoo and hayrides on weekends.
Victoria Valley Orchard, Shoreview, open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., 19 varieties of apples grown on site (no pick your own), also available raw unpasteurized Minnesota honey, caramel apples, frozen apple pie and apple crisp.
Whistling Well Farm, Hastings, open daily 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., FREE admission, pick your own apples and pumpkins, hang out with Sonny the donkey, feed the chickens, see the goats, enjoy pie and other goodies.
White Pine Orchard, River Falls, open Labor Day through end of October, Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesday – Friday, (pre-picked only), hike through the orchard, relax in the picnic area, enjoy fresh cider.
Wisp O Willow Orchards, Stacy, Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., pick your own apples, largest hedge maze in Minnesota, picnic area, Ole the donkey.