Honey crisp apples fresh from the tree, homemade apple pies, farm-to-table food, hay wagon rides, pumpkin picking, and corn mazes – that’s what fall in Minnesota is all about. Our gurus have picked their favorite farms and orchards to go to, so you don’t have to do the hunting. Take a trip to one of these local orchards and enjoy the best of fall!
Carlson Orchard Bakery & Restaurant – Winsted, MN
This small, family-owned orchard has a restaurant attached to it that is only open during harvest season. On Sunday’s they make pork chops and they’re some of the best you’ll ever have. Along with your chops, they have sweet corn, mashed potatoes, apple pie, and endless apple cider. While you eat your chops and drink (way too much!) apple cider, you’ll be accompanied by polka music from a local polka band. Afterwards, hop on the free wagon ride and pick your own apples and pumpkins. This place will bring you back to the good ol’ days. Be prepared to wait in line as they draw a pretty large after-church crowd.
Aamodt’s Apple Farm – Stillwater, MN
Looking to do some wine tasting with your apple tasting? Head on out to Aamodt’s! Attached to St. Croix Vineyards, this orchard has activities for all ages! Check out their activities calendar for special events throughout the fall!
Waldoch Farm – Lino Lakes, MN
This place has all sorts of fall fun to offer! Your admission to their big corn maze will also get you access to pedal carts, pedal trikes, the mini-maze, the hay jump, and the farm animal barn! Spend an entire day here with your family!
The Nelson Farm – Litchfield, MN
The Nelson Farm has something for everyone. They have corn mazes, food trucks, pumpkin painting, farm animals, fun houses, barrel races, and many other activities. However, I think the one thing you need to go for that makes them unique is to see their giant pumpkin trebuchet that shoots pumpkins into the air and flying across the lake! Check their website for daily scheduled activities.
Ferguson’s Orchard – 3 locations: Lake City, MN and Galesville and Eau Claire, WI
Ferguson’s has 3 locations, but our favorite is the one in Galesville. Taste the many varieties of apples they grow on their orchard or indulge in some fresh bakery treats! Afterwards go out and visit Farmer Tom’s barnyard for some activities such as tractor rides and a corn maze! Don’t forget to pick your own pumpkin for some halloween carving!
Red Barn Farm – Northfield, MN
Pizza lovers, this is the farm for you. Pizza from farm to table. There’s really nothing better than that. This is a great picnic spot, so bring a blanket and enjoy your pizza outside with that someone special. They also have homemade salsa fresh from the garden!
Emma Krumbees – Belle Plaine, MN
Emma Krumbees has a restaurant that gets many of their ingredients from their farm. In addition, in the fall they also have an orchard where you can try 12 varieties of apples and pick your own! While your there enjoy all the scarecrows from their annual scarecrow festival!
Tangletown Wise Acre Eatery – Minneapolis, MN
Don’t feel like traveling out to the country to one of the orchards mentioned above? Then we suggest trying this farm-to-table restaurant. Tangletown Wise Acre Eatery is a restaurant that gets many of their ingredients straight from their organic farm in the Tangletown neighborhood, resulting in simple, delicious, good-for-you food.
Is your favorite farm or orchard missing from our list? Let us know which one is your favorite on our facebook page!
