Crisp mornings, changing leaves and freshly picked apples… September in Minnesota has officially arrived! One of the best ways to enjoy the season is with a trip to a local apple orchard. Cedars of Edina central location with easy highway access means you don't have to travel far to find one, there are orchards in nearly every direction from the Twin Cities! Many orchards offer pick-your-own apples along with farm markets, baked goods and other seasonal activities.
Did You Know? Minnesota Is Apple Country!
Apple picking isn't just a fun fall tradition here. Minnesota has played an important role in developing some of the apples found in orchards and grocery stores across the country.
The famous Honeycrisp apple was developed by the University of Minnesota's apple breeding program. The original seedling was planted in 1962, and the variety was later released commercially in 1991. Today, Honeycrisp is Minnesota’s official state fruit, and Honeycrisp trees are grown not only across the United States and Canada but as far away as South Africa and New Zealand.
The University of Minnesota’s apple breeding program dates back 150 years to 1878. Minnesota's climate presents a particular challenge for fruit growers, so researchers have spent generations developing apples capable of surviving our cold winters while still producing great fruit. But Honeycrisp isn’t Minnesota’s only contribution to the apple world… Since it began, the University of Minnesota's apple breeding program has introduced 29 apple varieties including Haralson, Zestar!, SweeTango, First Kiss, Sweet Sixteen, Frostbite, and Triumph.
So when you're walking through a Minnesota orchard this fall, there's a good chance you're seeing a little bit of local agricultural history growing on the trees.
Here are six orchards within roughly an hour's drive of Edina to put on your fall list.
Please note: Apple varieties, U-pick availability, hours and activities can change throughout the season, be sure to verify information directly with the orchard before making the drive.
1. Applewood Orchard, Lakeville
One of the closer options to Edina, Applewood Orchard in Lakeville offers U-pick apples without an admission fee, you simply pay for the apples you pick. The orchard grows several Minnesota favorites, and Honeycrisp apples generally become available around mid-to-late September. Beyond the apple trees, Applewood offers seasonal activities including a pumpkin patch, hayrides, corn maze, sunflower field and more, with fees applying to some activities.
Address: 22702 Hamburg Avenue, Lakeville, MN 55044
Phone: 612-468-3396
Email: applewoodmn@gmail.com
Website: applewoodorchard.net
While You're There...
Make your orchard visit an excuse to explore a little more of Lakeville.
Stop by downtown Lakeville, where you'll find local shops and places to grab a bite. If the weather is too nice to stay indoors, take a walk at Ritter Farm Park, a large nature area with wooded trails and prairie landscapes. Another option is Antlers Park on Lake Marion, which underwent a major renovation in recent years and offers a particularly pretty setting for an early-fall walk. For those who enjoy a good treasure hunt, Hot Sam's Antiques & Used Furniture is just a few miles from the orchard. It's one of those wonderfully unusual local stops that can make a day trip even more memorable.
2. Ferguson's Minnesota Harvest, Jordan
Head southwest from Edina to Ferguson's Minnesota Harvest in Jordan, a large orchard with pick-your-own apples and plenty to explore beyond the fruit trees. The orchard's 2026 season runs from August 15 through November 1. In addition to U-pick apples, visitors can stop at the Country Store, bakery, Harvest Bistro and cider bar. Access to the pick-your-own apple orchard requires admission.
Minnesota Harvest grows several apple varieties, the exact U-pick selection changes as the season progresses.
Address: 8251 Old Hwy 169 Blvd, Jordan, MN 55352
Phone: 952-492-2785
Website: fergusonsorchard.com
While You're There...
Jordan gives you one very good reason to leave some extra room in the car: Minnesota's Largest Candy Store. The enormous yellow building along Highway 169 has become a Minnesota roadside attraction in its own right, with an almost overwhelming selection of candy, soda, snacks and international treats. If you've never been, it's worth experiencing at least once. For something a little quieter, head into downtown Jordan and stop for coffee at City Hall Creamery & Coffee or Owl's Nest Café
3. Apple Jack Orchards, Delano
West of the Twin Cities in Delano, Apple Jack Orchards has been growing apples since 1983, when "Apple Jack" Kelly began selling apples from his original 250 trees. Today, the orchard has around 10,000 trees and more than 29 Minnesota apple varieties. In addition to apple picking, there's a bakery, apple market, gift shop and a variety of seasonal attractions.
Address: 4875 37th Street SE, Delano, MN 55328
Phone: 763-972-6673
Email: info@applejackorchards.com
Website: applejackorchards.com
While You're There...
Don't rush home after filling your apple bag. Downtown Delano sits along the Crow River and is worth a look while you're in the area. Take a stroll through Delano Central Park, located right along River Street. You can also explore the businesses around River Street and Bridge Avenue in the heart of town.
4. Fall Harvest Orchard, Delano
Fall Harvest Orchard grows more than 20 varieties of apples, available pre-picked or as U-pick depending on what's currently ripe. Its list includes plenty of Minnesota favorites such as First Kiss, Zestar!, SweeTango, Sweet Sixteen, Honeycrisp, Haralson, Honeygold and several others. The orchard also offers more than 50 seasonal attractions and activities, along with food trucks on weekends and live music on Saturdays and Sundays.
Parking and general admission are free. For 2026, Fall Harvest Orchard is open Thursday through Sunday, 10 AM–6 PM, from September 5 through November 1.
Address: 9048 Ahern Avenue SE, Delano, MN 55328
Phone: 763-972-3894
Email: fallharvestorchard@gmail.com
Website: fallharvestorchard.com
While You're There...
For another outdoor stop, check out Barb King Inspiration Park, a smaller local park at 100–112 Meadowlark Drive. Our suggestion? Make Delano the destination rather than just the orchard. Pick some apples, explore downtown, grab something to eat and enjoy the drive home with a trunk full of Minnesota-grown fruit.
5. LuceLine Orchard, Watertown
For a trip west of Edina, LuceLine Orchard sits on 155 acres in Watertown along the Luce Line State Trail. The orchard opened in 2004 with just 300 apple trees and has since grown to nearly 10,000 trees, including several locally grown apple varieties. The property also includes a restored 1907 barn, nature trail, food and seasonal activities. For the 2026 season, the orchard is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 AM–5 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM–6 PM.
Address: 2755 Rose Avenue, Watertown, MN 55388
Phone: 612-817-6229
Email: lucelineorchard@gmail.com
Website: lucelineorchard.com
While You're There...
Start your day with coffee at Elephant Joe's Coffee, then if you're looking for breakfast or lunch before heading to the orchard, visit Farmer's Plate Hometown Cafe, just down the street. For a heartier meal after apple picking, Luce Line Lodge is another local option.
The orchard itself is also worth lingering at rather than treating it as a quick apple stop. Its nearly mile-long nature trail circles the pasture, and the restored 1907 barn contains food, gifts, beverages and other locally selected items.
6. Afton Apple Orchard, Hastings
If you feel like heading east instead, Afton Apple Orchard near Hastings offers pick-your-own apples from late summer into fall.
The orchard grows numerous varieties, including Minnesota favorites such as Honeycrisp, Haralson, Honeygold, Sweet Sixteen and Zestar! In addition to apples, the orchard offers seasonal produce and activities, with what's available changing as the harvest progresses.
Address: 14421 90th Street S., Hastings, MN 55033
Phone: 651-436-8385
Email: aftonapple@aol.com
Website: aftonapple.com
Cedars tip: This one takes you toward the St. Croix River Valley, so consider making the drive itself part of your fall outing—especially once the leaves begin changing.
While You're There...
This might be our pick for the orchard trip that's easiest to turn into a full fall day out. Head into historic downtown Hastings, where you'll find locally owned shops, restaurants and cafés among the older buildings near the Mississippi River. For coffee, stop at Froth & Cork, then spend some time browsing the shops downtown before heading toward the riverfront.
Be sure to make a stop at Vermillion Falls Park. The park is home to a dramatic waterfall on the Vermillion River and is a particularly worthwhile stop when Minnesota's fall colors begin to appear.
Make the Most of Minnesota Apple Season
One of the best things about living in the Twin Cities is how quickly the scenery can change. From Cedars, a drive of less than an hour can take you from Edina to apple orchards, farm fields and winding country roads. September is an especially exciting time to explore. Whether you come home with a bag destined for apple crisp, a new-to-you Minnesota variety, or simply a few apples to snack on, an afternoon at the orchard is a delicious way to welcome fall... And if you discover a favorite orchard, we'd love to hear about it!
Happy apple season from Cedars of Edina!
