This guide is sponsored by members of the Rochester MN Brewery Group
Updated August 2023
Ahhhh, fall. So many things to look forward to: the crisp air, the bright blue skies, the crunchy leaves, the vibrant colors, the spiced drinks, the comfy sweaters. Minnesota never disappoints during the fall. And no proper fall is complete without a trip to one of the apple orchards or pumpkin patches in the Rochester, MN area!
The apple orchard is an essential Minnesota fall tradition. It’s hard to pick our favorite part of the annual (okay, okay: bi-weekly) fall trek to the orchard: hunting and picking the *perfect* apple, enjoying the caramel apple treat while browsing the pumpkin patch, or the smells that fill the kitchen when you begin to bake up your apples into tasty treats and pastries after you’ve brought your haul home (high five, cinnamon)!
Lucky for us, the Rochester area has several apple orchards (and pumpkin patches!) to choose from. If your favorite orchard is not on the list, please submit it using the form at the end of this post.
Rochester MN Brewery Group
Thesis Beer Project is a craft brewery, taproom, and live music venue located on 2nd Street SW in the Uptown district – voted Rochester’s Best Music Venue. Join us for karaoke every Tuesday, trivia every Thursday, and check out our live music calendar!
Forager Brewery is a family-friendly restaurant and brewery utilizing fresh ingredients sourced from local farming partners. Breakfast is served daily in the Cafe from 8 am-11 am, lunch and dinner are available 11 am-10 pm daily. Enjoy live music 5 nights per week.
Little Thistle Brewing Company is a family-friendly craft brewery and taproom with a large beer garden space for your summer patio needs. Directly off the Douglas Trail bike path at 2031 14th St. NW. Join us for our Sunday Matinee Music Series every Sunday through the summer with live local music and food trucks.
APPLE ORCHARDS
Sekapp Orchard | (Apple Orchard and Pumpkin Patch)
3415 College View Road E, Rochester, MN 55904
Phone: (507) 282-4544
Open: August – October // 9 AM – 7 PM, every day
Northwoods Orchard | Apple Orchard, Pumpkin Patch & More
8018 75th Avenue NW, Oronoco, MN 55960
Phone: (507) 280-0591
Open: September 2 through October 29: Tuesday – Saturday // 10 AM- 6 PM and Sunday 1 – 6 PM (closed Mondays)
Apples R Us | Orchard & Distillery
3856 65th Street NE, Rochester, MN 55906
Phone: (507) 269-2940
Open: Opening Saturday, September 10th, Monday – Saturday, 9 AM – 6 PM & Sundays 10 AM – 5 PM
Blossom Hill Orchard & Farm | Apple Orchard & Pumpkin Patch
645 Hwy 52, Preston, MN 55965
Phone: (507) 765-4486
Open: August 25th – October // Monday – Friday,9 AM – 5:30 PM, Saturday – Sunday, 9 AM – 5 PM
The Pepin Heights Store (Ferguson’s Orchards)
1753 South Hwy 61, Lake City, MN 55041
Phone: (651) 345-2305
Open: August 19 // 9 AM – 6 PM, every day (Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day)
Wescott Orchards
28085 County Rd 25, Elgin, MN 55932
Phone: (507) 876-2891
Open: Through mid-November: Wednesday, 8 AM – 5 PM | Thursday – Sunday, 10 AM – 6 PM
Ecker’s Apple Farm
W27062 Wisconsin 54 Trunk, Trempealeau, WI 54661
Phone: (608) 539-2652
Open: August 25th – October // 10 AM – 6 PM Wednesdays- Sundays (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
Turkey Hill Orchard
9912 County Road 5 NW, Pine Island, MN 55963
Phone: (507) 356-4067
Open: Check their Facebook page for picking hours and availability.
PUMPKIN PATCHES
Red Barn Learning Farm | Agricultural Learning Center and Pumpkin Patch
27251 State Highway 30, Hayfield, Minnesota 55940
Fall Admission: $10 per person age 1 and up
Phone: (507) 272-7465
Open: Starting the weekend of Sept 16-17 and every weekend in October (including MEA Thursday & Friday) // Saturdays, 10 AM – 4 PM // Sundays, 11 AM – 5 PM
Big Springs Farm Pumpkins & Corn Maze
32060 Furrow Road, Lanesboro, MN 55949
Admission: $10
Phone: (507) 216-7946
Open: Every weekend 10 AM – 5 PM through October 31 (And Thursday/Friday of MEA!)
Our Farm Fresh | Mums & Pumpkins — Self-Serve
75842 240th Avenue, Hayfield, MN 55940
Phone: (507) 481-8610 (text too!)
Open: September – October 15th, Tuesday-Saturday 10 AM-6 PM
Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch
90537 273rd Street, Austin, MN 55912
Phone: (507) 437-9180
Open: September 24 – October 31 // Monday – Friday, 3 PM – 6 PM, Weekends and Oct 19 – 21, 12 PM – 6 PM
Tiegen’s Pumpkin Patch
3337 County Road 3 SW, Byron, MN 55920
Phone: (507) 358-7591
Open: 7 days a week, Sun-Up to Sun-Down until October 31. Self-Pay Box.
