Minnesota orchards

With us in the peak of apple season, I was curious to find out what peoples' favorite orchards are in the Greater Twin Cities area. I have been to so many orchards around here that are more like going to Disney World, with dancing bears and synthesizer music, than about the apples.

I went to an orchard this weekend that I really liked called Fischer's Orchard in Hastings (technically Denmark, which is a suburb of Hastings). I was really impressed. Fisher's had a nice selection of apple varieties and it is in a really pretty location, near Carpenter Nature Center. And while there are some animals and a hay ride, those things seemed secondary to the apples. My other favorite spots are Homestead Orchard in Maple Plain and Fireside Orchard in Northfield.