Halloween weekend in Minnesota means cold fingers, crunchy leaves, and one very important snack: the apple cider donut. Orchards across the state are still busy in late October, with farm stores stocked with apples, cider, pies, and warm bags of donuts.
Some spots add corn mazes, wagon rides, goats, or pumpkin patches, so a quick donut run can turn into a full afternoon. Here are eight Minnesota orchards where the cider donuts give you a real reason to hit the road before the season wraps up.
1. Welsh Heritage Farms, Lake Crystal, MN
Lard is the secret here, and the farm is not shy about it. The signature apple cider donuts at Welsh Heritage Farms are traditionally fried in lard, which gives them an old-school edge that sets them apart from most orchard donuts.
You will find the farm along Highway 60 in Lake Crystal, southwest of Mankato. It started as a traditional apple orchard with hundreds of trees and has grown into a year-round stop for local food and produce.
The farm store is where the action happens. Lines for donuts are common in autumn, so a little patience helps.
While you wait, eye the apple crisp and the apple butter. Both make smart add-ons, and the apple butter travels home easily if you want a taste of fall later in the week.
Plan around the schedule. The store is closed Monday and Tuesday, open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday through Saturday, and opens at 10 a.m. on Sunday, which makes Halloween Sunday morning a smart window.
2. Aamodt’s Apple Farm, Stillwater, MN
Goats and donuts make a surprisingly great pairing. Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Stillwater is a longstanding family-owned orchard that mixes pick-your-own apples with a goat farm and wagon rides.
That variety makes it an easy pick for a mixed group. Kids can head for the animals while the grown-ups focus on the farm shop.
The shop is small and charming, with friendly volunteers helping out. The apple cider donuts are the star, and they tend to disappear from the bag before you reach the car.
I like this stop for families who want a little bit of everything without a long drive from the Twin Cities. Manning Avenue is an easy route, and Stillwater’s riverfront downtown is close if you want to stretch the outing.
Dogs are allowed, so your four-legged pal can join the Halloween fun. Hours run 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
3. Ferguson’s Minnesota Harvest, Jordan, MN
Bragging rights come with this one. Ferguson’s Minnesota Harvest calls itself the largest pick-your-own apple orchard in Minnesota, and it backs that up with plenty to do.
The grounds include a country store, a bakery, an apple orchard, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, and a giant attractions area. The Ferguson family took over as owners in 2022 and keeps it family-farmed.
Then there are the donuts. The orchard openly calls its apple cider donuts famous, and the bakery is the place to grab a bag.
Halloween weekend is prime time for the pumpkin patch and maze, so expect company. Weekend hours start early at 9:30 a.m. and run to 6 p.m., while weekdays go 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
One practical note: parking is paid. Budget for it, then budget again for a second dozen donuts.
4. Apple Jack Orchards, Delano, MN
Look for the end rack. At Apple Jack Orchards in Delano, that is where the homemade apple turnovers, apple donuts, and caramel apples tend to gather.
The farm offers seasonal apple picking along with a shop selling local produce. Outside, a corn maze and wagon rides keep the visit moving.
Apple bread is another favorite here, and it pairs nicely with a bag of donuts for the ride home. The apple selection itself is strong, so grab a peck while you are at it.
Delano sits west of the metro, an easy drive for a Halloween weekend road trip. Parking is free, which is always a nice surprise at a busy fall farm.
The farm is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Arrive earlier in the day if you want the best shot at a full bakery rack.
5. Pine Tree Apple Orchard, White Bear Lake, MN
Here is a fun bonus: you can watch the apples get sorted. Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake lets visitors see part of the process before heading to the cider store.
The donuts come rolled in cinnamon sugar, and a jug of the orchard’s apple cider makes the obvious sidekick. Sweet Tango apples are a popular pick in the store too.
Beyond snacks, there is a corn maze, orchard walks, and hay rides. Some folks simply grab an apple, find a spot, and take in the grounds.
The farm also does strawberry picking earlier in the year, but fall is when it really fills up. Parking is free in the lot and on the street.
Hours shift by day, so check before you go. Tuesday through Thursday runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., while Friday through Monday closes at 4 p.m.
6. Pleasant Valley Orchard and Cidery, Shafer, MN
Donuts from a food truck? At Pleasant Valley Orchard in Shafer, that is part of the plan.
The food trucks here serve apple doughnuts, brats, and apple cider slushies. That slushie is a fun twist if Halloween weekend turns out warmer than expected.
The barn store and a little gift shop round out the shopping side. Apple crisp is another strong pick if you have room after the donuts.
Activities cover the fall basics nicely. Expect apple picking, wagon rides through the orchard, and a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, which is handy for last-minute jack-o-lantern shopping.
Shafer sits in Chisago County near the St. Croix Valley, making this a pleasant drive north of the cities. Dogs are welcome, and the orchard is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
7. Country Blossom Farm, LLC, Alexandria, MN
Founded in 2010, Country Blossom Farm is one of the younger orchards on this list, but its bakery has plenty of fans. Donuts, cookies, and hand pies all get attention here.
Pair your donuts with a cup of fresh-pressed hot apple cider. Homemade pies, including lemon pie, and jars of honey barbecue sauce are also on the shelves.
Kids have a long menu of their own. There is a corn maze, bazooka ball, a bouncy pad, u-pick apples, and even u-pick raspberries.
I would save this one for a lakes-country weekend in Alexandria. The farm is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., so Halloween weekend lines up well.
Planning ahead for the holidays? The farm stays open most weekends in November and December, and early orders are encouraged for Thanksgiving and Christmas pies.
8. Sweetland Orchard, Webster, MN
One hundred apple varieties grow at Sweetland Orchard, along with pears and tart cherries. That alone makes it a fun stop for apple nerds.
The pace here is a little calmer than at the bigger fall farms. Picnic tables are spread throughout the orchard, so you can settle in with your snacks.
Speaking of snacks, the apple cider donuts and apple crisp are both reliable picks. Free-range chickens roam the grounds and are known for being friendly.
Dogs are allowed, even inside, and the farm offers a gender-neutral restroom. Parking is free on site.
Timing matters most at this Webster orchard. It is open only on weekends, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday until 6 p.m., which makes Halloween weekend an ideal fit.
Whichever orchard you pick, go early, bring a cooler for apples, and buy one more bag of donuts than you think you need.
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