EOH Explorer Series | Deal’s Orchard

A Farm Mom’s Guide to Deal’s Orchard This Fall

Harvest season is one of our busiest times of the year. Between work, school, livestock, and everything else that comes with raising kids on the farm, I never know if our family outings will include my husband or if he’ll be in the field trying to beat the weather.

No matter how busy life gets, we make time for a few fall traditions.

One of those traditions includes a fall trip to Deal’s Orchard near Jefferson. It’s only about a 30-minute drive from our house, making it an easy afternoon adventure whether it’s just me and the kids or all of us together.

The best part is that this tradition didn’t start with my own family. Growing up, my parents took me to Deal’s Orchard, and now I get to watch my kids make many of those same memories. There’s something special about sharing a place you loved as a child with the next generation.

     

We’ve visited more than once, and if I can offer one piece of advice, it’s this: go after school on a weekday.

Last year, we arrived around 4 p.m. and spent a couple of hours exploring Apple Acres. The kids had free run of the activities with little to no waiting in line, which meant more time climbing, sliding, jumping, and simply being kids. It ended up being one of our favorite outings of the season.

If you’re looking for a fall destination that’s close enough for an afternoon trip but packed with enough activities to keep everyone entertained, Deal’s Orchard is hard to beat.

Apple Acres is filled with more than 25 family-friendly attractions, including giant slides, jumping pillows, wagon rides, a corn maze, duck races, pedal trikes, farm animals, a corn pool, apple slingshots, and plenty of room for kids to burn off energy. There are also beautiful sunflower and zinnia fields, seasonal displays, and countless photo opportunities that make it easy to capture a few family memories.

Of course, no visit is complete without enjoying some of the orchard’s famous apple treats.

Our family always makes room for an apple slushy, warm apple cider donuts, and a caramel apple before we head home. We also never leave without grabbing frozen apple dumplings to bake on Christmas Eve, another tradition that started with my parents and has now become part of our family’s holiday season.

Another Way to Experience Deal’s: Ciders at Sunset

EOH Explorer Shelly and her family found another way to enjoy Deal’s Orchard this fall with a visit to the final Ciders at Sunset. These events are held throught the summer season.

With a little fall chill in the air, they spent the evening enjoying live music from Jared Benson, warm apple cider donuts, and, for the adults, some of Deal’s hard cider. Shelly’s favorite was the Cranberry Habanero cider.

The kids took full advantage of the evening, too. With fewer people in the kids’ area, they had plenty of room to jump, play, and make the most of Apple Acres. Shelly said it felt like they practically had the place to themselves!

It was a fun reminder that Deal’s isn’t just an afternoon stop. An evening at the orchard, with live music, cider, activities for the kids, and those fresh, warm donuts, makes for a pretty great fall night for the whole family.

At the Heart of Deal’s Orchard

What I appreciate most about Deal’s Orchard is that it’s still a working, family-owned orchard. The Deal family has been growing apples here since 1917, and five generations have continued to build on that legacy. While the attractions make it an incredible destination for families, the heart of the farm is still the orchard itself and the people who care for it.

If you have a little extra time, pair your visit with a stop at Jefferson’s Mahanay Bell Tower before heading home. View this video and blog to help you plan a full visit to Jefferson.

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, creating a new family tradition, or simply looking for a fun fall afternoon, Deal’s Orchard is one of those places that reminds me why I love raising my family in rural Iowa. It’s a tradition I’m grateful my parents started and one I hope my kids will continue with their own families someday.

Annie’s List – Know Before You Go

  • Purchase Apple Acres tickets online before your visit to save on admission.
  • Visit after school on a weekday if possible for fewer crowds and shorter wait times.
  • Plan to spend 2-3 hours exploring Apple Acres and the orchard.
  • Wear comfortable shoes. Most areas are easy to navigate, but some paths are grassy or uneven.
  • Don’t miss the apple slushies, apple cider donuts, caramel apples, and frozen apple dumplings to enjoy at home later.
  • Weekend visitors can enjoy lunch at the concession stand, featuring pork burgers, walking tacos, hot dogs, nachos, and more.
  • Bring your camera. The sunflower fields, zinnias, pumpkins, and seasonal displays make beautiful photo backdrops.
  • Check Deal’s Orchard’s event calendar before you visit. Special events like Ciders at Sunset offer another way to experience the orchard, with live music, cider, food, and plenty of fun for the kids.
  • Pair your visit with the Mahanay Bell Tower in Jefferson for a full day of fall fun.
  • Apple Acres opens August 29, 2026, and the Apple Barn is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

EOH Explorer Series | Center Grove Orchard

Sometimes all it takes is an old photo to bring back a season of life.

When Guest Explorer Lindsey came across pictures from visits to Center Grove Orchard near Cambridge, she was reminded of all the fall days she spent there with her children. The photos may be a few years old, but the memories came back instantly, along with everything that made the orchard such a fun place to visit.

Looking back, what stands out to Lindsey is just how much there was for her kids to do. Center Grove Orchard wasn’t the kind of place where they stopped for apples and headed home. It was a place to spend the day.

With activities spread throughout the farm, there was always something else to explore. The kids could climb, jump, visit the animals, play, and enjoy the kind of fall day that naturally fills a camera roll with memories.

And that family-focused experience continues today.

Center Grove Orchard has grown to include more than 40 attractions, including the CGO Express Train, jumping pillows, giant slides, hayrides, a corn maze, pumpkin patches, farm animals, apple picking, and wide-open spaces where kids can simply run, play, and enjoy being outdoors.

       

What makes Center Grove Orchard even more special is that it’s still a working family farm. The Black family planted their first apple trees in 1986 before opening the orchard to visitors in 1994. Today, their vision continues to create a place where families can experience Iowa agriculture while making memories of their own.

Of course, no visit is complete without stopping by the Country Store. Fresh apples, bakery treats, gifts, and seasonal favorites make it worth taking a little extra time before heading home. If you’re planning a weekend visit, you’ll also find several food venues serving everything from lunch to sweet treats, making it easy to spend the entire day at the orchard.

Looking through those old family photos reminded Lindsey that some places stay with you long after the kids have grown.

The attractions may be what first bring families to Center Grove Orchard, but it’s the laughter, the shared experiences, and the memories made together that keep them coming back year after year.

Whether you’re introducing your children to the orchard for the first time or revisiting a place that’s been part of your family’s story for years, Center Grove Orchard is one of those places that captures everything we love about fall in Iowa.

Lindsey’s List – Know Before You Go

  • Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours, though it’s easy to make it a full-day adventure.
  • Don’t miss a ride on the CGO Express Train.
  • Purchase tickets online ahead of time to save on weekend admission.
  • Wear comfortable shoes. The orchard spans more than 25 acres with plenty of walking.
  • Weekend visitors will find the most food options available throughout the orchard.
  • The Farmyard, Country Store, and Food Venues are closed on Tuesdays during the fall season.
  • Strollers and wagons are welcome, and the accessible hayride helps transport guests around the grounds.
  • Stop by the Country Store before leaving for fresh apples, bakery treats, fudge, and seasonal gifts.
  • Check the orchard’s calendar before visiting for seasonal hours and special events.

Check out more seasonal orchards and patches on the website here.