Apples are Red and Fall Colors are Lively; Experience Fall’s Best in Carver County!

Unseasonably warm September weather has set the stage for an extravagant fall experience in Carver County. Families and friends will find brilliant outings await at numerous apple orchards and in more than 4,000 acres of parks. Get outside today to enjoy the fall weather, sweet treats and the best Minnesota has to offer!

Take a bite of the apple

Watertown’s Luce Line Orchard has apple picking on the weekends only, but several unique activities make the wait worth it! The fun begins with nine different apple varieties and live music, but that is only the beginning. Persons of all ages will love the chance to shoot the Corn Cannon or Apple Slinger, or go for a whirl on the Pumpkin Spinner! Check their Facebook page for updates.

Deardorff Orchards lies on 120 acres of farmland near Waconia. More than 3,000 trees are bursting with favorite Minnesota apple varieties, like SweeTango®, Zestar!®, Honeycrisp and Haralson. Add a stop to the tasting room of the orchard's partner, Parley Lake Winery, for a complete experience. And if a morning or afternoon visit is not enough, there are two Airbnb properties - the Charming Farmhouse and the Cozy Country Cottage - on the premises that offer the potential for a full weekend getaway!

The second annual AppleFest at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska is Saturday, September 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The ideal activity for a beautiful fall day includes live music to complement fresh local apple-based treats, apple breeding and research presentations and plenty of family fun games and activities.

Many view the Arboretum as a central point for the creation of many favorite apple varieties. The Arboretum’s Apple House in Victoria is just down the road from the Arboretum itself and is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. Many of the University of Minnesota’s 29 introduced apple varieties are for sale at the AppleHouse, with a list of availability accessed by calling (612) 301-3487. A popular addition to the apple experience is the North Star Donuts food truck, on-site Tuesday through Sunday until Oct. 31. Hot apple cider mini donuts, apple cider slushies and gourmet coffee drinks bring new meaning to the fall apple collection process!

If donuts aren’t your style - or if you’ve filled up on them  - the Apple House has frozen apple pies, pastries, pumpkins, squash and gourds grown at the Arboretum and meats and ice cream from the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences.  

Colorful kaleidoscope

A discussion on fall in Minnesota would be remiss without the bright highlights from the changing leaves. Vibrant reds, oranges and yellows are on display by the diverse collection of maple, ash, oak, birch, hickory and elm trees present in Carver County’s variety of parks and trails. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fall Color Finder offers an up-to-date status of the colors in Carver County and throughout the state.

The Carver County Park and Trail System has numerous selections to view the change in the seasons, including Baylor Regional Park, Lake Minnewashta Regional Park and Lake Waconia Regional Park.

Carver Park Reserve, part of the Three Rivers Park District with parks throughout the greater Twin Cities, is a tremendous collection of winding trails and green space amidst rolling wooded terrain, lakes and marshes. It is home to the Lowry Nature Center, the first public nature center built in the Twin Cities. Hiking and biking through the reserve is an excellent way to view the colors. Finding a favorite spot to soak in nature’s canvas also appeals to many. 

Don’t miss out on Carver County’s fall beauty!

Crisp apples and brilliant colors only scratch the surface of the elegance of Carver County! A choice to visit will be one of the best decisions you and your family can make to last through the coming colder months!