When the weather turns cool and the days are getting a little bit shorter, a feeling takes over the air in Minnesota. To me I always think about apple picking and what I can do with those apples (apple pie anyone?). With well over 100 apple orchards in the state of Minnesota there is no shortage of places to visit. Here is a small taste – each with a unique flavoring.
Aamodt’s Apple Farm, Bakery and Store
6428 Manning Ave.
Stillwater, MN
651.439.3127
Open Daily August – December, 10am – 6pm
Look no further for a top notch Apple orchard close to the Twin Cities. They have apples (pick your own, purchase at the barn, or even order online), “Made in the Midwest” store, a hay bale maze and hay mountain, goat farm, and John Deere Kiddie Trikes and Tractor Farm. The Aamodt family, for three generations, has been providing fresh apples and a fantastic family experience in Minnesota.
Saturday, September 21st check out the Taste of Aamodt’s. Sample local foods sold at the Aamodt’s store along with specialty wines pairings from St. Croix Vineyards. 11am – 3pm.
Saturday, October 19th celebrate a afternoon of grillin’ and chillin’ at the 1st annual Apple Harvest EGGfest. This grilling competition has a unique twist – all competitors must include at least one “Made in the Midwest” ingredient sourced at the Aadmodt’s store.
Check out additional events and family fun at their website. A small fee applies to some activities. They offer season’s passes and Tuesdays are Senior’s day with 10% off all purchases.
Apple Jack Orchards
4875 37th St. S.E.
Delano, MN
763.972.6673
Open Daily June to December 10am – 6pm
On the other side of the Twin Cities is Apple Jack Orchards. City Pages “Best of for 2013” named them the Best Apple Orchard. Pick not just your own apples, but raspberries, pumpkins and squash. Their Cafe and Bakery is also open daily for delicious treats. During the week check out their apple market, seasonal gift shop, free play area, animal park and wagon rides (Labor Day through Halloween). During the weekends Apple Jack Orchard’s Adventure Farm is open including corn maze, corn pit, jumping pillow, wagon and pony rides, apple cannon and more.
Check out their website for more fun activities.
Emma Krumbee’s
501 East South Street
US Highway 169
Belle Plaine, MN
952.783.3006
Open Daily Mid-August – October 9am – 7pm
Located just 45 minutes south west of the Twin Cities is the destination location of Emma Krumbee’s. Apple orchard, and so much more (also pumpkins, mums, gourds, corn stalks, Indian corn and straw bales for your fall decorations). Pick your own apples or purchase at their Farm Market, pick apple themed treats at their General Store or Bakery. With a Greenhouse and Fizzy’s Soda Fountain and Ice Cream Parlor all of your bases are covered.
For the last 30 years Emma Krumbee’s has hosted an Annual Scarecrow Festival with over 100 artistic and hand crafted scarecrows. During the weekdays keep busy with farm animals, a giant hay stack jump, tombstone forest, all terrain farm trikes, Emma’s mountain slide, wagon rides, half peck play area with monster trucks, train and tractor, pirate ship and goat habitat. On the weekends add musical entertainment and pony and camel rides. That is why this is a destination for fun, not just an apple orchard!
For all other information, check out their website.