Photo courtesy of Ferguson’s Minnesota Harvest
Whether you favor the juicy tartness of First Kiss apples, dance with the SweeTango, or hop on the popular Honeycrisp bandwagon, you are sure to find something delicious at Minnesota apple orchards. They are once again ready to satisfy your cravings for delicious apples, baked treats, and a fun outing. When planning your outing, make sure to do a little research to check the offerings at orchards. Some offer pick-your-own apples and others pick the fruit and have them available for purchase in their store. Many orchards also sell baked goodies such as freshly made doughnuts sprinkled with delicious cinnamon sugar (worth a wait in line for these), fresh apple pie, and frozen pies you can take and bake at home. Many orchards also feature pumpkin patches and activities such as hayrides, mazes, live music, food trucks, and more so you can make a day—or weekend—of it.
Apple Fun Fact
Did you know that since the apple breeding program began in 1878 at the University of Minnesota, 29 apple varieties have been released? These include favorites such as Honeycrisp, First Kiss/Rave, State Fair, SweeTango, and Zestar. Some University-developed varieties are no longer available, but you can find all the current U of M varieties here, many of which you can purchase from local orchards.
Apple Harvest Timing
If you are hoping to pick or purchase a certain apple variety, call ahead to confirm what’s ripe for the picking. Early ripening varieties such as First Kiss, SweeTango, McIntosh, and Zestar should be on hand. Honeycrisp and Haralson are usually ready by mid- to late September. In October, find the later season varieties such as Honeygold, Regent, Fireside, and Keepsake. Or, just go to an orchard and enjoy whatever apples are available. You are bound to have a delicious time either way.
Find an Orchard
Here are some popular spots to visit, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture offers a searchable map on its Minnesota Grown website that makes it easy to find what you’re looking for, whether you want to head to a nearby orchard, plan a day trip, or an apple-centric weekend getaway. Please check with individual orchards as many have a no-pet policy.
Aamodt’s Apple Orchard
Family owned since 1948, Aamodt’s has apples available in the Apple Barn for purchase—Honeycrisp, First Kiss, SweeTango, Sweet RiverBelle, Chestnut Crabs, and Paula Red—plus pick-your-own options. Stop in the barn and snack shack for a slice of fresh apple pie, unique foods (including Honeycrisp Apple Salsa), local honey, pure maple syrup, and gifts. Check out the goat farm and wagon rides (through October). Plus, enjoy hard cider and wine tasting. Activity fees vary.
Open 7 days a week 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through December. Pick Your Own schedule and availability changes weekly.
6428 Manning Ave., Stillwater, MN • 651-439-3127 • aamodtsapplefarm.com
Afton Apple Orchard
This over 250-acre orchard is in the heart of the St. Croix Valley and is mainly a pick-your-own orchard but also sells freshly picked apples by the peck, half bushel, and bushel, along with apple cider, honey, jam, maple syrup, and other Minnesota grown products. Also enjoy apple doughuts, apple fritters, apple pie, caramel apples, caramel apple sundaes, hot dogs, cider brats, soda, coffee, hot chocolate, and fresh apple cider from their kitchen. Activities include a playground, wagon rides, a 15-acre corn maze, and more. Fall general orchard admission onsite is $7 for ages 5 and older and $5 for ages 4 and younger. (No admission fee to the shop and retail building.)
Orchard and retail store open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Check the website or call for picking schedule and orchard updates.
14421 S 90th St., Hastings, MN • 651-436-8385 • aftonapple.com
Apple Jack Orchards
Connect with the land and celebrate the harvest. You can pick your own apples and there are various varieties available in the orchard store. Check the website for variety updates. The orchard features a gift shop, bakery, cafe, and a pumpkin patch, and family-fun activities include farm animals, jumping pillows, apple cannons, low ropes course, and more.
Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission prices vary; check online for information and discounts.
4875 37th St. SE, Delano, MN • 763-972-6673 • applejackorchards.com
Photo courtesy of Ferguson’s Minnesota Harvest
Ferguson’s Minnesota Harvest
Ferguson’s Minnesota Harvest Twin Cities location, formerly known as Minnesota Harvest, is home to a large pick-your-own apple orchard or select from prebagged choices in the shop. With more than 30 attractions onsite, visitors can enjoy activities for all ages from the pumpkin patch, corn maze, cow train, corn pit, duck races, and wagon rides to pumpkin jumping pads and pedal tractors. New this year are an interactive Paintball Shooting Gallery (available for an additional cost) and the expanded Sunflower Festival. Visitors can also explore the Farm to Tap corn maze, which is 1.5 miles of pathways that trace the journey of an apple from the orchard to the viral Apple Cider Slushie. New food and drink options this year include an apple cider float (topped with an apple cider donut), apple pie sundae, artisan-style pizza (now with a gluten-free option), and a Wagyu beef chili cheese dog. Guests can purchase a season pass for $18 for unlimited visits through the entire season. There is no admission to the Country Store, Sweet Shoppe, Harvest Bistro, Hard Cider Bar, and more.
Open through Nov. 2, 2025, weekends 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. and weekdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
8251 Old Hwy 169 Blvd., Jordan, MN • fergusonsorchard.com
LuceLine Orchard
Nestled on the Luce Line trail, this sprawling 155-acre property has nearly 10,000 apple trees with seven locally grown apple varieties and a vineyard. Visitors can enjoy the apples, a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, nature trail, hay mountain, and a tire tower for the kids, plus live music, a grill and pub, and more. Big Dog Corndogs returns, and there are two new food trucks this season—La Catrina serves authentic Mexican food including street tacos, classic tacos, burritos, and nachos. The Cool Cravings Ice Cream Truck serves apple-related treats including shakes, sundaes, and twist cones, plus root beer floats. Free admission. Open Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Wed.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
2755 Rose Ave., Watertown, MN • 612-817-6229 • lucelineorchard.com
Pine Tree Apple Orchard
A large variety of apples are available for purchase in the orchard store, homemade bakery treats—line up for the delicious freshly made doughnuts—caramel apples, fresh cider, gifts, and more. Enjoy your treats on the patio or on a picnic table near the lake. Take a walk in the orchard or make your way through a corn maze. Pick your own pumpkins Oct. 4-26 (while supplies last). Live music on the weekends.
Open Mon.-Thur. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Fri. -Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Hours vary for some events.
450 Apple Orchard Rd., White Bear Lake, MN • 651-429-7202 • pinetreeappleorchard.com
Pleasant Valley Orchard
Overlooking the St. Croix Valley near Taylors Falls, Pleasant Valley Orchard offers a fun fall experience for the whole family. Weekdays all apples are prepicked and on weekends, you can pick your own (depending on what’s in season) or purchase them in the store. In addition to your favorite Minnesota grown apples, you will find pumpkins, classic apple pie, hand-dipped caramel apples, and other goodies in the bakery, plus gifts, hayrides, and live music. Food trucks vary; check website for the schedule.
Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Call for updates on apple varieties available and announcements. The Cidery is open Fridays 2 p.m.–6 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
17325 Pleasant Valley Road, Shafer, MN • 651-257-9159 • pleasantvalleyorchard.com
Sekapp Orchard
Find dozens of apple varieties fresh from the trees, fresh produce, pure honey, and family fun activities. Pick-your-own apples are available Wednesdays through Sundays until all the accessible apples have been picked. Honeycrisp apples are ripe for picking, plus the yard is full of mums and is beginning to fill with pumpkins. Puzzle your way through a corn stalk maze, straw bale maze, and other attractions. (Sorry, no pets allowed.)
Open 7 days a week 9 a.m.-7 p.m. through Oct. 31, then 9a.m.-6p.m. Nov. 1-Dec. 31. (Located 3 miles from downtown Rochester.)
3415 Collegeview Road East, Rochester, MN • 507-282-4544 • sekapporchard.com
Storing Apples
Refrigerate apples as soon as you bring them home to slow ripening and maintain flavor so they can keep from four to six weeks. They might look pretty in a bowl on the counter or table, but this way you’ll have them on hand to enjoy on their own or in a variety of recipes (see below).
Photo courtesy of the U.S APPLE ASSOCIATION
Cooking with Apples
Make the most of your harvest. Apples are delicious in both savory and sweet dishes. Try these recipes I have highlighted here.
Good Apples: Apples mix up great meals from dinner (Pork Fajitas with Apple-Cilantro Salsa) to dessert (Apple-Hazelnut Cheesecake Tart)
Slow Cooker Vanilla Applesauce Recipe: If you can cut up apples and put them in the slow cooker, you can master the art of making your own applesauce.
Apple Pancakes with Maple-Apple Sauce Recipe: It’s apple harvest time, so step up your breakfast with apples in the pancake mix plus a sweet apple maple sauce to top it all off.
Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe: Apple crisp meets caramel apple pie in these treats. Plus, chew on apple fun facts and link to more recipes.
Cheddar-Apple-Walnut Muffins: Embrace fall with flavorful muffins that are crunchy and rich with cheese and walnuts as well as tangy fruit.
Curried Apple-Squash Soup: Need another idea for all those apples you’ve picked? Combine them with squash in this vibrant soup and celebrate a twofold harvest.
Cinnamon Apple Cake: As the all-too-short summer turns to autumn, enjoying a harvest treat can help ease it in.
Autumn Harvest Salad: Apples join spinach, dried cranberries, and a little bacon—which makes everything better—in a nutrient-packed salad.
