The Twin Cities is surrounded by farms growing delicious apples, berries, corn and pumpkins. Many of them are open to the public to 'pick your own' in season, with a shop to also buy already picked produce and other related items for both eating and gifting. It is now apple season, and the apple orchards are great family destinations, with an abundance of hayrides, playgrounds and fall festivals celebrating the bounty of the season.
We visited Afton Apple in the southeast corner of the metro last weekend, and their amazing corn maze was the first thing we saw as we pulled into the huge parking area.
From the ground it just looked like a big cornfield, but we were tipped off that it was something more when we saw people popping up above the corn stalks and looking around from a lookout site in the midst of the maze.
The 'field' was actually a huge 15-acre maze, with more than 6 miles of twists and turns! It is divided into three phases of increasing complexity, and at the end of each phase you have the option to exit or continue on. They have added both a straw bale maze and a rubber hose maze in addition to the corn maze this year, but we came with our son's family with young children so we passed on the mazes this time and headed to their unique playground area instead.
Our almost-5-year-old grandson had a ball… he didn't want to leave!
Come celebrate fall at Afton Apple Orchard's apple festival the first three weekends in October, where the fun will include live music, cider pressing and chain saw carving demonstrations, hayrides, petting zoo, cow train rides, face painting, concessions. Admission charge is $3 for ages 5+ and $2 for 4 and under, corn maze cost is $9 for ages 11+, $7 for ages 2-10.
NOTE: due to hail this year their apples are not available for picking, but they have fresh apples from other Minnesota orchards available in their store… and lots of fall fun on the farm!
Click here to see homes currently for sale in the area around Afton Apple Orchard in the rolling hills of Afton and Hastings, Minnesota. Please be patient while the link searches for the most current listings…click on the map to zoom in until you see icons on the dots, then pass your cursor over them for property information, click for property details.
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email – Twin Cities Realtor
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