Fruits of Fall: There’s a word I heard of once that describes a feeling I used to get when looking back on the falls of my youth: saudade. A Portuguese and Galician term—with no English equivalent—saudade (pronounced sao-dod) is a mingling of intense longing, nostalgia, and melancholic yearning for a beloved yet absent someone or something. Something about the whirl of moody gray skies against a patchwork of bright golds and rich burgundies used to transport me to a time and place that was innocent, simple, carefree.
My baby boy arrived during the dawn of the pandemic on a brisk October morning. At a time filled with unknowns, one thing became crystal clear to me: The present is the only place I can unearth the beauty in life’s fleeting moments. Your littles are only little once—the early days are a time to cement traditions and create new memories. When Ezra turned 1, I took him to his first apple orchard and watched him wriggle through the rows of red apples, a scene that felt like a bridge between my past and our shared future. Since then, I’ve made a conscious effort to explore as many orchards, mazes, and patches with him as possible, a ritual that connects us to the timeless rhythm of the seasons.
For so long, fall signaled what once was. Now, it heralds what’s yet to come.
Apples, Pumpkins, and Corn, Oh My!
Warroad
For a master class in navigating maize on Lake of the Woods, Country Corn Maze offers 8 acres of twists, turns, and loop-the-loops to keep you guessing. The owners say that this year’s theme is “pizza”—visitors will be met with some fresh-from-the-farm pie while getting an education on how and where the ingredients were sourced. 218-469-3390, countrycornmaze.org
Grand Rapids
It’s a U-pick or we-pick operation at Lavalier’s Berry Patch, a family-owned orchard farm located just south of Grand Rapids, specializing in blueberries, strawberries, apples, lingonberries, and more. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted with a bucket to fill with fresh, ripe fruit. 218-327-9199, lavaliersberrypatch.com
Kelsey
It’s an immersive experience for all ages at Simek’s Farm, featuring a 4-acre corn maze with themed educational stations, hayrides, a petting zoo, and various play areas like a giant silo slide and tire sand pile. Bonus: Simek’s hosts special events like local music concerts (“Cowboy Church”) on Sundays. 218-461-0891, simeksfarm.com
Frazee
Step into Maple Hills Orchard, where nature takes the lead and fun follows closely behind. The stewards here are all about nurturing Mother Earth with sustainable practices, letting their apples, U-pick pumpkins, raspberries, and grapes flourish without a hint of pesticide. 218-325-0199, maplehillsorchard.com
Finlayson
At Maple Run Orchard, trees aren’t just for apples; they’re for producing the golden elixir of maple syrup. The orchard churns out apples, honey, beeswax-based products, and maple syrup, tapped on-site. 320-400-0444, maplerunorchard.net
Pine City
Family activities ring up real fast. That’s why admission, parking, and activities are free at Peaceful Pines Farm. Stock your pie and front porch with apples, pumpkins, gourds, and squash from the patches. 320-591-0007, peacefulpinesfarm.com
Alexandria
Bring your bushel basket to Country Blossom Farm and pick apples, raspberries, aronia berries, and pumpkins. Give your picking hands a break in the 7-acre corn maze or exhaust the kids on the tire mountain and jumping pillow. 320-334-1620, countryblossomfarm.com
Lindström
Carve out some core memories at Tom’s Pumpkin Farm, a treasured community staple that’s been supplying pick-your-own pumpkins to enthusiastic Halloween-loving youngsters and their families for more than 40 years. The charming spot has a corn maze, farm-fresh vegetables, and an always-smiling staff. 651-433-2905
Wyoming
With acres of pumpkins still on the vine, the search for the flawless gourd to adorn your front stoop may be lengthy at Pinehaven Farm. Apple blasters, a Cluck Truck, and super slides are all part of the Pinehaven experience. The on-site funnel cake stand and Hillbilly Bob’s Fry Shack round out the perfect fall day. 651-462-1704, pinehavenfarm.com
Dayton
Sure, finding your perfect jack-o’-lantern-to-be is the end goal of a pumpkin-patch adventure, but when there’s a gunnysack slide, giant pumpkin jumper, corn maze, corn pit, and gourd slinger, it’s easy to get distracted. Dehn’s Pumpkins has a 20-acre field full of orange orbs primed for picking. 612-387-7866, dehnspumpkins.com
Lino Lakes
Tiny tykes will delight in Phase 1 of Waldoch Farm’s corn maze, a 15-minute journey leading to the lively Joyer Adventure Farm with pedal carts, apple blasters, and more. Phase 2 offers a 45-minute challenge with a hidden phrase, while Phase 3 is all about relaxing at home after a day of fun. 651-780-1207, waldochfarm.com
Stillwater
Aamodt’s Apple Farm doesn’t stop at crunchy-fresh slices and fan-fave pie. This fourth-generation family farm has wagon rides, a goat farm, and ample pick-your-own options, and it’s home to Saint Croix Vineyards and Thor’s Hard Cider. 651-439-3127, aamodtsapplefarm.com
Minneapolis
City slickers can get their pumpkin fix at Our Lady of Peace in south Minneapolis, home to a quaint patch with more than 2,000 pumpkins. Kids can burn energy with lawn games, crafts, and a hay-bale trail, while adults will appreciate food trucks on the weekends. 612-824-3455, olpmn.org
Delano
There’s no candlestick jumping at Apple Jack Orchards, but there is a ropes course and plenty of ruby-red deliciousness. The bakery serves up pies, donuts, crisps, and more (all made from orchard-fresh apples). Is your mouth watering yet? 763-972-6673, applejackorchards.com
Shakopee
Home to one of Minnesota’s most well-known tangles of cornstalks, Sever’s Fall Festival is equipped with a maze challenge that could line your pockets with cash. The farm also includes iconic options like a corn pit and obstacle course, animal-friendly outings like pony rides, and wacky seasonal draws like pumpkin blasters. 952-270-6293, seversfestivals.com
Hastings
At Afton Apple, pumpkins, apples, fall raspberries, gourds, squash, and sweet corn are ripe for the picking (literally!). Dog-ear this one for next summer: Raspberries, strawberries, cherries, and blueberries litter the fields. 651-436-8385, aftonapple.com
Jordan
One of four Ferguson’s Orchards locations, Minnesota Harvest offers pumpkin picking, an orchard, a corn maze, a store with farm-fresh goodies, and Apple Blossom Park for the littles (think apple cannons, farm animals, a corn pit, duck races, a hay-bale pyramid, and more). 952-492-2785, fergusonsorchard.com
New Prague
Barten Pumpkins gives new meaning to family friendly. Not only is the farm bursting with activities and fall-specific photo ops, it’s also run by Fran Barten, with assistance from her 11 children and 35-plus grandchildren (!). The patch has everything from tall pumpkins to pie pumpkins. 612-227-0033, bartenpumpkins.com
Webster
Picnic with pigs, sample house-made hard cider, and wade through the orchard at Sweetland Orchard. You can sample and take home tasties from the more than 100 varieties of apples, pears, and tart cherries grown on the grounds. 651-252-4337, sweetlandorchard.com
by Jamie Korf
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