As the days become crisper, fall is in the air, and your thoughts turn to the harvest. A visit to Community Orchard is in order, where they feature apples and pumpkins in a jam-packed family itinerary full of fun.
The orchard lies along the beautiful Des Moines River Valley, where the orchard grows over 5,000 trees and includes more than 15 varieties of fresh-from-the-tree-picked apples.
Start the day with one of the orchard’s tours, either a tour of the apple orchard or the pumpkin patch.
The tour is educational, where you’ll learn the inner workings of the orchard. Then, see how they make tasty ciders—beginning with sorting the apples, grading, pressing, and bottling the final product.
The Market Place overflows with fantastic food finds and products made fresh in the Apple Orchard Bakery.
During the Community Orchard tour, check out the bakery kitchen, where you’ll find a feeling of teamwork as the bakers peel and slice apples, roll out the dough, and pile the apples a mile high in the pie.
If you start your morning when they open at 10:00 a.m., it will be time for lunch after the tours. If you have a group, you may want to call ahead to reserve a table, as lunchtime tends to be busy.
The Apple Orchard Café offers a delightful experience with various soups, salads, sandwiches, and daily specials.