Time to plan your next fall trip, Iowa! Head to Story County for an epic autumn day trip of your dreams at Center Grove Orchard, one of the finest orchards in Iowa. This 20-acre apple orchard is located in the heart of farm country in the small town of Cambridge, and is the perfect family-friendly fall destination in Iowa.
Center Grove Orchard grows over 34 varieties of apples, and the season typically starts at the end of August and lasts through early November. Admission to the apple orchard is charged to those ages three and older, and there's an additional fee charged per bag of apples picked. You'll find sweet apples, tart apples, and everything in between.
You'll find plenty to do all season long at this Iowa apple orchard. The price of admission to the orchard also includes all the farm attractions, including unlimited rides aboard the CGO Express Train. In the Farmyard, you'll find numerous attractions for kids and adults alike. Meet farm animals, play on the Super Slides or Jumping Pillow, or ride the train through the grounds. Tackle the four-acre Corn Maze as a family for a fun and challenging experience — you'll have a blast navigating through this puzzle.
There's always something going on, even as it gets closer to the holidays, and the orchard and farmyard close. But each weekend during the fall season, you'll find something new to celebrate: Apple Fest, Scarecrow Fest, Pumpkin Fest, Country Celebration, the Costume Weekend just before Halloween, or the Pumpkin Destruction Finale.
There are plenty of dining options here, too. Enjoy a burger or grilled cheese, a walking taco, or some apple goods from the various food stands around the farm. Of course, no apple orchard would be complete without a country store! If you don't feel like picking your own in the orchard, the Country Store has already picked apples for purchase, along with various other produce, gifts, and baked goods.
Visit the bakery section to pick up a delicious farmhouse apple, pumpkin pie, apple crisp, or apple cranberry pie to fully enjoy this fall season. Also available are fresh fruit preserves, apple bread, apple butter, and more. These will remind you of the sweets your grandmother made at home. Of course, your trip to the farm isn't complete without taking home a sweet treat, like candy-coated apples or fresh apple cider donuts made daily and oh-so delicious.
Center Grove Orchard is one of the best places to celebrate fall in the Hawkeye State, so gather your family and hit the road for a perfect day trip. To get to Center Grove Orchard, enter the following address into your GPS: 32835 610th Avenue, Cambridge, IA, 50046. For u-pick hours and information on events and happenings, visit the Center Grove Orchard's website.
Have you ever visited this quintessential Iowa orchard? Are there any other farms in Iowa worth visiting in the fall? If so, send us a message through our nomination page. You should also check out all the other things to do this fall in Iowa.