Clear skies,
cooler temperatures, low humidity: Fall’s arrived in Minnesota! The leaves are
starting to 
turn and apples are ripening in the orchards around Buffalo,
Delano, Rockford, and St. Michael. It’s time to enjoy the season at some of the
area’s best fall attractions.
turn and apples are ripening in the orchards around Buffalo,
Delano, Rockford, and St. Michael. It’s time to enjoy the season at some of the
area’s best fall attractions.
Buffalo: Apple Picking and Foodie Festival
As the locals
know, Buffalo is a great place to celebrate autumn. Many families choose to
spend the day at Deer Lake Orchard. Aside from apple picking, you can take a
wagon ride, try your luck in the corn maze, and hunt for the best jack
o’lantern pumpkin. The kids will enjoy the animal area, hale-bale maze, and
outdoor games. The orchard runs its own store with pies, apple crisp, brats,
and apple cider.
On September 24,
the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce will host A Tasteful Night in Buffalo. This adults-only event runs from 5:30 to 8
pm at the Buffalo Civic Center. Sample foods and libations from Buffalo-area
eateries.
Delano: Apples and Wine
Buffalo has Deer
Lake Orchard. Delano has Apple Jack Orchards. Spend a crisp fall day picking apples,
riding the cow train, or shooting an apple out of a cannon. Kids will enjoy the
play area, animal park, and dry corn pit. Everyone will have fun on the huge
jumping pillow. Enjoy treats from the barn store at one of the orchard’s scenic
picnic areas.
Looking for
something a little stronger than cider? Check out Woodland Hill Winery. The
tasting room is open on weekends. For only $6, you can enjoy wines selected
just for you. Purchase your favorites to take home or enjoy while lounging in
their gazebo.
Rockford: Pumpkins and a Park Reserve
If you want to
pick your own pumpkins, take a drive down to Knapton’s
Raspberries, Pumpkins, and Orchard. The farm specializes in large, carving pumpkins. If you get there
early enough in the season, you’ll be able to pick your own raspberries, too.
The farm also grows apples and sells a variety of produce and preserves.
If you’ve
already done your apple and pumpkin picking for the season, enjoy some quiet
outdoor time at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve. Part of the Three Rivers system, Lake
Rebecca offers trails for hiking and biking, an off-leash dog park, picnic
areas, and even horseback riding. Kids will enjoy hunting for treasure through
the park’s geo-caching program. The park hosts a Family Fall Colors River
Paddle on October 18.
St. Michael: Time Travel and Peaceful
Wilderness
If you’re really
looking to get away from it all, consider visiting the St. Michael area. The Oliver Kelley Farm is in nearby Elk River. The working farm and
living history museum is managed by the Minnesota Historical Society. Step back
in time to the 1860s. Help farmers work the fields, tend the animals, and put
up food for the winter.
To get even
further away the hustle and bustle, visit Crow-Hassan Park Reserve. Like Lake Rebecca, Crow-Hassan is managed
by Three Rivers. It features miles of trails through preserved prairie. Look
for bald eagles, hawks, deer, fox, and coyotes. Park your car, take a hike, and
take in all the natural beauty fall has to offer.
If you enjoy
spending time in the Rockford area, why not move there? Contact Trent Shipley at Keller Williams Realty Integrity NW today.
