Hot on the heels of the arrival of all things pumpkin spice, September is here and many are beginning to prepare for fall in Minnesota.

While the calendar reveals that we still have three weeks of summer left, many are beginning to prepare for (or already accepted) the next season dominated by flannel, hot spiced drinks, pumpkin patches and haunted houses (or drive-thru's this year...thanks COVID). To help Central Minnesotans prepare, we put together a list of five Central Minnesota pumpkin patches and apple orchards to take the kids to for some socially-distanced fall fun this year.

Stoney Brook Farms Inc. is a family- owned and -run business located in Foley, MN. Originally located on 300 acres of land, they've since expanded to around 850. Their biggest crop is sweet corn, though they also grow  sugar snap peas, green beans, pumpkins, mini pumpkins, gourds, pie pumpkins, white pumpkins, ornamental pumpkins and 10 different varieties of squash. Since 2017, they've featured a corn maze, pick-your-own-pumpkins and harvest games. In a post on Facebook, they said that this year's fall fun -- following recommended COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions -- will be limited to just the corn maze and pumpkin patch.

Contact Stoney Brook Farms Inc. here.

2. Fairhaven Farm -- South Haven

Fairhaven Farm began in 1985 originally as a fruit farm. It opened with berries and quickly added apples, including its own unique varieties native to the property. Today, the farm boasts "just about one of every fruit tree, bush, or plant that can grow in the region." Around mid-August, the farm opens up its barn store where visitors can purchase apples, pears, plums, grapes, jams, pies, crisps, caramel apples, honey, maple syrup, flowers and more. Around Labor Day Weekend they open up the grounds for a themed corn maze and pick-your-own apples, grapes, raspberries, and pumpkins. This year's corn maze theme is Roald Dahl's book James and the Giant Peach.

Find more details on Fairhaven Farm here.

3. Triple S Farm -- Royalton

Triple S Farm or Triple S Pumpkins is an urban farm located in Royalton, MN. According to Facebook, Triple S Pumpkins will still be open Saturdays and Sundays starting September 19 from 10am to 6pm. There will be no wagon rides on weekends, and the hay barn will be closed this year, but there will be hay piles and slides outdoors as well as swings, combine playground, petting zoo, and pick-your-own-pumpkin patch. Private evening guided farm tours are also available and include access to most everything on the farm.

Contact Triple S Pumpkins here.

4. Hidden Cove Orchard -- Cold Spring

Hidden Cove Orchard in Cold Spring is an apple orchard located on Big Fish Lake. Labeled a "full fall experience," this orchard "allows you to easily stroll amongst our many apple trees, each bursting with beautiful fall colors, blooming flowers, and delicious red, yellow and green apples." In addition to pre-picked apples, the gift shop offers seasonal food items and holiday décor. While the Fall Festival and Christmas Open House events have both been cancelled due to COVID-19 this year, the orchard will still be open to the public Labor Day through the Sunday before Christmas.

Find contact details for Hidden Cove Orchard here.

A & G Corn Maze in St. Joseph is Minnesota's #1 Corn Maze (or so their website claims) featuring a 13-acre corn maze, trivia, Hay Wagon ride, Unicorn Petting Zoo, Mini Pony Rides, Cowtrain Ride, Jumping Pillow , Corn and Pumpkin Cannons, Paintball Shooting Gallery, Human Foosball and more. Their website and social media haven't been updated in months, so we'd suggest keeping an eye out or calling for details on 2020's events and offers.

(Note: Facebook post above is from 2019)

For more contact details and information, visit here.

What's your favorite Central Minnesota Pumpkin Patch or Harvest farm to visit?

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