There's a slight chill in the air as I write this, and that only means one thing - fall is here! I've been looking forward to this season for a while, with every 90°-plus day that sent me retreating to the air conditioning, and now it's time to enjoy all the bounty fall has to offer. Apples are one of the top crops of the fall along with seasonal pumpkins, and Iowa's farms go all out to celebrate this bounty. Deal's Orchard is often considered the cream of the crop when it comes to fall farms in Iowa, and it's not hard to see why. Not only does it serve up the best apple cider donuts in Iowa, but their fall events are full of charm and fun for the entire family. Read on to discover why Deal's Orchard belongs on your fall fun list!

Deal's Orchard is an Iowa tradition. This charming small-town farm and apple orchard is known for its fall festivities.

The apples - the largest variety of any farm in Iowa, ranging from classics like Golden Delicious and Gala to rare variants like Arkansas Black - are on full display, along with a pumpkin patch, hayrides, and other family-friendly activities that make this a great day trip destination.

One of the many things Deal's Orchard is loved for is its country store, which is known for serving up a wide variety of small-batch goods. Naturally, apples make their way into quite a few of them! You'll want to head right over to the bakery counter when you visit...

The best apple cider donuts in Iowa await! While you can certainly get donuts at any grocery store, these house-made gems are something different - you can taste the apple in every bite, and they're perfectly flaky and coated in just the right amount of cinnamon sugar.

These donuts are so popular, they're usually offered after the fall season wraps up and can be enjoyed as a classic winter treat. You'll definitely want to pick up an extra box or two - or three, in case you eat one on the car ride home!

And for those looking for a slightly more grown-up apple treat, Deal's Orchard is famous for serving up some of the best hard cider in the Hawkeye State!

Have you visited Deal's Orchard in Jefferson? Let us know if you think it serves up the best apple cider donuts in Iowa in the comments section! You can find out all about the farm's fall events on the Deal's Orchard website and Deal's Orchard Facebook page. Jefferson, Iowa, is a charming and historic town that is well worth a visit in its own right once you're done at the orchard, and if you're looking for a place to stay the night, the nearby Cobblestone Hotel & Suites Jefferson gets great marks as an affordable option for families.