Summer may be the hottest season, but fall is the coolest. And nothing says fall fun like hayrides, corn pools, and cider donuts. We’ve rounded up all the best pumpkin patches and apple orchards in Greater Des Moines, as voted by locals. Go big or gourd home! #CATCHdsm
*All of our Des Best lists are crowdsourced and voted by locals.*
Center Grove Orchard
Truly one of the most Instagrammable and family-friendly attractions in all of Greater Des Moines, Center Grove Orchard is perhaps the most well-known of its peers, stuffed with things to do while you stuff yourself with things to eat. You can and will spend a whole day here eating, playing, and making memories. Not only does it feature a 25-acre pumpkin patch, but a 20-acre apple orchard as well. Looking for a new profile pic? Head over to Sunflower Meadow where fun is always in bloom. Their fall season runs through November 2.
Location & Hours: 32835 610th Avenue, Cambridge; 9 a.m.-7 p.m., daily (closed Tuesdays).
Admission: Weekdays, $14.95; Weekends, $19.95 when tickets are purchased online; children ages 2 and younger are free.
Activities: The Farmyard is your stop for all things activities. With 25 different attractions, you’re sure to find something to please everyone. Test your sense of direction in the corn maze, bounce around on the giant jumping pillows, or even bottle feed a baby goat.
Eat & Shop: Center Grove Orchard doesn’t lack for anything, especially when it comes to food. With nine different food stands, you can get your fill of apple and pumpkin treats. Here are just a few: Feed Bunk (burgers), Shucks (grilled cheese), Apple Jacks (All things apple, including their famous Apple Cider Slushie). We recommend the s’mores shake up, it’s ALMOST too pretty to eat. And of course, make sure to grab plenty of apple cider donuts, farmhouse pies, kettle corn, and fall preserves at The County Store on the way out.
Howell’s Pumpkin Patch
Howell’s is not only a large pumpkin patch, but they have a beautiful greenhouse as well. Grab your pumpkins and your flowers, and then take a tractor ride to the corn maze. Good luck finding your way out, so you can enjoy the cornucopia of activities that Howell’s has to offer. Their fall season runs through October 31.
Location & Hours: 3145 Howell Court, Cumming; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., daily.
Admission: $18 per person ($14 if purchased online); children under age 2 are free.
Activities: Two words: Pumpkin. Cannon. Let the kids experience the joy of seeing a pumpkin fly through the air, we promise it’s worth it. Climb on the haystacks, make mud pies (yum!), swim in the corn bin, and go down the cow slide. Sounds pretty fun to us. Did we mention there are also an abundance of baby goats? It really can’t get any cuter.
Eat & Shop: Be sure to make a stop at the Country Gift Shop for the ultimate fall décor options. Full of jack-o-lanterns, corn stalks, mums, and so much more, your house will be ready for the fall season.
Pumpkinville
With no admission fee, Pumpkinville in Mitchellville is the perfect place for a spontaneous day trip. Featuring all sizes of pumpkins and gourds, Pumpkinville is the epitome of hometown heartland. Their fall season runs through October 31.
Location & Hours: 618 Center Avenue S., Mitchellville; 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday-Thursday (closed Mondays); 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday-Sunday.
Admission: Free to visit; $10 for Big Corn Maze ages 6 and up, $1 for Mini maze ages 4 and 5, free for kids younger than 3.
Campfires: Campfires are $40 for the first two hours and must be reserved in advance.
Activities: Even if Pumpkinville is free, they don’t lack activities. They feature two different corn mazes, a straw train, a football field for pickup games, sack races, and tug a pumpkin (think tug of war). But we really love the idea of the campfires...they even get the fire started for you and provide additional wood, roasting sticks, and chairs!
Rose Farm
The Rose Farm in Norwalk puts an emphasis on admiring the beauty around you. With 25 acres of sprawling grounds, you can explore the entire farm freely. The Rose Farm is all about learning and growing, and they are known for hosting workshops and classes that allow you to get hands-on experience with the farm. From flowers to pumpkins, you’re sure to see the beauty of nature (and life) at The Rose Farm. Their fall season will run September 10-October 26.
Location & Hours: 7197 43rd Avenue Norwalk, 1-6 p.m., Sunday, Monday & Thursday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Fridays; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (starting in October).
Admission: Admission to the farm is free, but visitors can make purchases throughout the farm and at The Shoppe.
Activities: Grab your pup and come explore the farm area. Experience one of the many workshops available. The Rose Farm offers anything from watercolor painting, bouquet building and yoga. You’re guaranteed to find something to bring a little fall into your life.
Eat & Shop: The Floral + Market Shoppe, is home to all things fall. Looking for new décor? They’ve got it. Need a new candle or some flowers? This is the place. So, stop and smell the roses, literally! Plus, on certain Sundays, you may stumble upon a coffee or bakery truck. Just your luck!
Deal's Orchard
As much as we love a good pumpkin, fall means apple season as well. Deal's Orchard in Jefferson is a fourth generation apple orchard that features 45 acres of apple trees with more than 25 varieties of apples. Spend your day picking apples, as well as exploring their family fun area, Apple Acres.
Location & Hours: 1102 244th Street, Jefferson; 9 a.m.-6 p.m., daily.
Admission: $12.95 online for ages 3-64 or $14.95 at the gate. Free for ages 65+ or ages 2 and under.
Activities: Apple Acres features numerous fun activities for the whole family! Start out your day by feeding the goats and racing ducks and then head over to experience the Human Hamster Wheel. You can also bounce on the jumping pillow, and ride down the giant slides.
Eat & Shop: Grab cider donuts, homemade pie, fudge, honey, and more at The Apple Barn. Deal's Orchard has a bit of fun for adults as well. They have their very own Hard Apple Cider, sold both at the orchard and locally in stores. They have multiple flavors including Blackberry, Raspberry, Peach, limited edition Pear, and more. The kids can have fun, but don’t worry, the adults can too.
Iowa Orchard
Everyone wants to talk about cider donuts, but to us, fall season means pie season. When it comes to pies, Iowa Orchard might be the delicious option around, with flavors like Dutch Crumb Apple, Black Raspberry, and Chocolate Pecan. Pie talk aside, they also have a pumpkin patch, strawberry patch, and family fun zone. Their fall season goes through October 31, but their Pie Bakery & Farm Market is year-round.
Location & Hours: 9875 Meredith Drive, Urbandale; 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays (closed Monday).
Admission: $5 for the Family Fun Zone (open weekends only), free for pumpkin patch and farm market.
Activities: The Family Fun Zone is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends through October and has a giant corn box, jumping pillow, hay slides, and giant Legos. Otherwise, peruse the pre-cut pumpkin patch to find your perfect gourd, and purchase it to take home!
Eat & Shop: The Farm Market is open year-round and offers 20 varieties of apples, cider, caramel apples, fudge, mini cider donuts, and those pies we raved about.
Wilson's Orchard & Farm
Just a stone’s throw from Norwalk, Wilson’s Orchard & Farm in Cumming offers a magical fall getaway with fresh-pick fun and culinary delights galore. On their expansive 125-acre farm, you can wander through vibrant fields filled with pumpkins, apples, berries, and more.
Location & Hours: 3201 15th Ave, Cumming; 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday.
Admission: Packages vary, see choices here.
Activities: Explore the farmyard, filled with a corn crib, slides, and more. You can also pick flowers, apples, raspberries, and pumpkins. Don't miss out on a tractor ride, and exploring the Farm Market.
Eat & Shop: Explore the Farm Market and Ciderhouse Restaurant & Bar. Both are housed in one striking building complete with a large patio offering sweeping views of rolling fields and grazing livestock. The Farm Market offers seasonal produce, prepared foods, unique goods and items, and so much more. At the Ciderhouse Restaurant & Bar, enjoy wood-fired pizzas, rotating menus, house-made pastries (like their famed cider donuts), and other delicious options.
