These 10 Charming Apple Orchards In Iowa Are Great For A Fall Day
There’s nothing like an afternoon spent outside in early autumn, enjoying the beautiful fall weather and picking your own apples and participating in fun fall activities. Iowa remains one of the most beautiful places to go apple picking and has some of the best orchards to make it happen for you and your loved ones. The Midwest tends to get an unfortunately bad rap, what with unfounded stereotypes floating about out there, but it truly encompasses some of the most beautiful landscape in the entire United States. Our state is studded with beautiful fall farms, and boasts some of the best apple orchards in Iowa are perfect to visit as the seasons change.
Iowa is full of amazing apple orchards that offer fun for the entire family. From apple cider to freshly fried apple donuts and u-pick opportunities, there’s no better place and way to spend the season of autumn. If you’re looking for fun ways to get out and enjoy some fresh air, be sure to check out these 10 picture-perfect apple orchards in Iowa. You’re about to fall in love with the beauty of the Hawkeye State all over again, folks, and you’re going to love every minute of it.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Iowa Orchard is a beautiful orchard in Granger that offers a wide variety of pick-your-own apples, tours and other activities like hayrides, a tire obstacle course and badminton. They also sell a wide variety of mouthwatering homemade pies. It's a must-visit for the whole family, and friendly for all ages. Address: 13140 NW 102nd Avenue, Granger, IA 50109
Allen's Orchard in Marion offers a wide variety of apples for apple picking, as well as fun events, like Oktoberfest and LuLaRoe Fall Fashion week. It's a fantastic farm to visit in fall in Iowa, and beautiful to boot! Address: 5801 10th Street, Marion, IA 52302
At Center Grove Orchard, you can pick your own apples in many delicious varieties. They also have plenty of fun activities like a corn maze, hayride and much more. When you're done picking apples, make sure to try a delicious apple doughnut. This local orchard definitely answers the question of what to do in fall in Iowa. Address: 32835 610th Avenue, Cambridge, IA 50046
Looking for apple picking in Iowa? At Wilson's Orchard, you can pick a variety of different kinds of apples. They have pumpkins in October, as well. You can also enjoy fresh apple cider and apple turnovers, and plenty of fun fall activities. Address: 4823 Dingleberry Road NE #1, Iowa City, IA 52240
The Big Apple Orchard west of Mount Vernon offers 22 different varieties of apples. Also check out the Orchard store, where they have a bakery, donuts, gifts and more. There's no better place to both indulge and shop on a farm in Iowa. Address: 1115 US-30, Mt Vernon, IA 52314
Ditmars in Council Bluffs offers apple picking, and a variety of activities, like a corn maze, tractor rides, bale maze and more. There is also a vineyard there, so make sure to visit the Orchard store to sample some wine as you enjoy the scenery. Address: 19475 225th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
At Appleberry Orchard, you can pick your own apples and pumpkins, and there’s a petting zoo, a bakery, and more. Make sure to sample "the Queen’s Apple," a fresh picked, sliced apple drizzled with homemade caramel and topped with whipped cream and your choice of toppings. Address: 2469 IA-2, Donnellson, IA 52625
Community Orchard offers a large variety of fresh-picked apples, a bakery with homemade goodies, gifts, home decor and lots of activities, from a corn maze to to a giant playground. Address: 2237 160th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
With 20 varieties of fruit and produce, including lots of apple varieties, Little Sioux Orchard has plenty of deliciousness to offer. The orchard offers seasonal activities, like spring mushroom hunting, summer berry picking and fall apple harvesting. Address: 2618 160th Avenue, Milford, IA 51351
Head to Czipar’s Orchard for fun activities, a variety of fresh apples and delicious fall treats, like fresh apple cider, apple butter, jellies and apple blossom honey. This is a true Iowa farm, age old and bursting with fun fall activities. Make sure you bring the whole family on your trip to Czipar's! It's as popular with the little ones as it is with the fall-wizened adults. Address: 8610 US-52, Dubuque, IA 52003
These fall farms in Iowa make for some of the most beautiful family memories, and are well worth the time and effort it takes to plan and travel during the heated end of summertime. Have you been to any of the best apple orchards in Iowa? Have you been apple picking in Iowa?
Make sure to leave your tips and experiences in the comments below! We want ALL your local tips and tricks, Iowa.
It’s hard to choose the BEST apple picking spots in Iowa, mainly because there are so many incredible places to pick from. Appleberry Orchard in Donnellson has a fun u-pick opportunity with a tractor ride to boot, and Iowa City’s Wilson’s Orchard has over 120 different apple opportunities. Adel boasts the Wills Family Orchard, a farm that has u-pick and pre-picked options, and the Center Grove Orchard in Cambridge boasts a wildly fun-filled farm experience with pick-your-own apple options, too.
When is the best time to visit an apple orchard in Iowa?
We’d recommend visiting Iowa orchards from mid-August to the last days of late October. Some orchards, depending on their seasons and requirements, are open as late as Thanksgiving, but the prime time for apples tends to end closer to Halloween.
What are the best farms to visit in fall in Iowa?
The best farms to visit in fall in Iowa tend to revolve around pumpkin patches and corn mazes, of which there are OH so many. The Pumpkin Ranch in Winterset has a great selection of pumpkins and boasts a fun hayride through their expansive patches, whereas the Harvestville Farm in Donnellson is known as one of the best patches around. Head to Grinnell’s Uncle Bill’s Farm, or indulge in an Osceola afternoon at the Harvest Barn. Deal’s Orchard is also a fabulous spot, located in Jefferson and open since 1917.
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