With the start of September, we begin to close the chapter on Summer and gear up for Fall. That can only mean one thing, besides Starbucks bringing back Pumpkin-Spice Lattes – it’s apple picking time!
Luckily, living in the MidWest gives us ample access to orchards producing wide varieties of apples at our finger-tips.
Here is our list of top “picks” for apple pickin’ in the Waukee / Metro area:
Center Grove Orchard
32835 610th Ave., Cambridge
515-383-4354
Country Store Now Open: Monday – Sunday, 10 AM – 5 PM
Farmyard Opens September 10th
Enjoy daily hayrides, corn pool, corn maze and hay maze, farm animals, pedal tractors, weekend festivals with live entertainment, and so much more.
Wills Family Orchard
33130 Panther Creek Road, Adel
515-321-1847
Open Saturdays, 10 AM – 4 PM
A FREE family favorite, located just 20 minutes west of West Des Moines, offers the full Iowa Fall experience, with organic u-pick apples and a variety of farm fresh goods!
Iowa Orchard
9875 Meredith Drive, Urbandale
515-276-0852
Open Monday – Sunday, 9 AM – 6 PM
A large selection of apple-themed fare, including pies, crisps, caramel apples and cider, plus honey, fudge and numerous other Fall favorites. Be sure to hit the hayrack ride on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as well as the Farm Fun Zone!
Upstream Gardens & Orchard
5987 NE 88th Street, Altoona
515-957-1303
Open Daily, Hours Vary With The Season
Find pick-your-own or already picked apples along with fresh apple cider made right on the premises!
Berry Patch Farms
62785 280th Street, Nevada
515-382-5138
Open Monday – Saturday, 8 AM – 1 PM and Thursday, 5 – 7 PM
Closed on Sundays
You will find farm fresh apples, berries and vegetables ripe and ready for picking, which have been artfully grown.