Every September, the hills around Stillwater, Minnesota turn a deep gold, and that’s your cue that apple season has arrived. If you’re searching for the best apple orchard in Stillwater MN this fall, you’re in good company. The St. Croix River Valley has some of the richest orchard land in the state, and just a short drive from downtown, you’ll find family farms that have been growing Honeycrisp, SweeTango, and Zestar apples for generations. Whether you’re picking your own bushel or just want an afternoon of cider and freshly baked pie, an apple orchard in Stillwater MN makes for one of the best fall day trips in the Twin Cities.
An apple orchard is only part of the story, though. Stillwater’s downtown sits right along the St. Croix River, and a weekend built around orchard hopping pairs naturally with everything else the town has to offer in autumn. Take a scenic boat cruise while the bluffs change color, walk the historic Lift Bridge, or spend an afternoon browsing the shops along Main Street. We’ve put together a full list of the best things to do in Stillwater if you want to build out your itinerary beyond the orchards, since fall is genuinely the town’s best season to visit.
After a day spent walking through orchard rows, you’ll want somewhere comfortable to land, and that’s where Water Street Inn comes in. As one of the best Hotels in Stillwater, we sit right in the heart of downtown, just a short drive from every orchard on this list, with cozy rooms, river views, and on-site restaurants so you never have to go far for a good meal. It’s a favorite home base for couples and families visiting for the fall apple season, and booking directly with us means you get the best available rate for your stay. Book your stay now!
Aamodt’s Apple Farm is the orchard most people picture when they think of apple picking near Stillwater. The Aamodt family has been growing apples on this land since 1948, and the orchard has grown to more than fifty acres and six thousand trees along the St. Croix River Valley. You can pick your own Honeycrisp, SweeTango, Haralson, or Zestar apples, or skip the fields entirely and grab a pre-picked bag inside the historic apple barn.
Kids love the Honeycrisp Express train and the small goat farm, and on fall weekends there’s a hayride that winds through both the orchard and the neighboring St. Croix Vineyards. If you’re visiting with a mixed group of adults and kids, plan to split up for an hour. The kids will want the train and the goats, and the adults may want to walk over to Thor’s Hard Cider or the wine tasting room next door. There’s no admission fee for this apple orchard in Stillwater MN; you only pay for what you pick or ride, which makes it an easy stop even if you’re not sure how long you’ll stay.
If you don’t mind a slightly longer drive, Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake is worth it for the bakery alone. The Jacobson family has run this apple orchard in Stillwater MN since 1954, on land that’s been growing fruit since 1904, and they grow around 25 varieties of apples across 300 acres.
Pine Tree doesn’t offer pick-your-own apples; the fruit is hand-sorted and sold in the apple barn, but the tradeoff is a bakery that turns out some of the best apple pie in the Twin Cities, along with cider donuts and caramel apples. Fall weekends bring a corn maze, pony rides, and a pumpkin patch to this favorite apple orchard in Stillwater MN.
For something smaller and a little less crowded, Sunnybrook Apple Orchard is a nice find. It’s a newer orchard; the family only planted their first trees in 2016, but those trees have matured into a solid twenty-four acres with about a mile of walking trails. You’ll find Honeycrisp, SweeTango, Zestar, and the smaller Chestnut Crab apples here, along with cider, honey, and homemade jam.
Sunnybrook sits right along the Gateway bike and horse trail near Jamaca Crossing, so it’s a great stop if you’re already out cycling for the day. This is the apple orchard in Stillwater MN we recommend for a quieter visit. It’s small enough that you won’t fight crowds for a parking spot, and the walking trails make it feel more like a nature outing than a farm stand.
A few things to keep in mind no matter which apple orchard in Stillwater MN you choose. Weekends fill up fast during peak season in late September and early October, so aim for a weekday morning if your schedule allows it. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring cash or a card for the smaller stands, and call ahead if the weather looks questionable since outdoor activities are often weather-dependent. Layer up too; orchard mornings in Minnesota can start cool, even when the afternoon warms into shirt-sleeve weather.
Whichever apple orchard in Stillwater MN you choose to visit, our Hotel is the easiest place to base your trip. Among Hotels in Stillwater, we sit right on the St. Croix River, in the middle of downtown, which means every orchard on this list is within a short drive. Our guest rooms range from cozy king rooms to suites with private river-view balconies, so there’s a perfect room for you, whether you are on a quiet couples weekend or plan to bring the family along to visit the orchards.
Stay with us, and you’ll also have access to two restaurants without ever leaving the building. Charlie’s Restaurant and Irish Pub serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with live music most weekends, and Papa’s Rooftop offers some of the best sunset views in Stillwater, along with seasonal cocktails when it’s open. Between the apple orchards in Stillwater MN, the river, and a comfortable place to land at the end of the day, a getaway to orchards and Hotels in Stillwater is hard to beat. Book directly with us for the best available rate on your stay.
