Take a Fall Adventure in New Prague, Minnesota!

If you’re looking for the perfect fall adventure that every member of the family will love that’s not too far from the Twin Cities, you need to visit Ettlin’s Cafe and Barten’s Pumpkins. Start off the morning or early afternoon with a visit to Ettlin’s Cafe. I found this place after researching places with coffee flights and was so excited to try it! Although not huge, this adorable cafe made for an amazing brunch and time for all of us. The food was incredibly delicious and the service was amazing too, despite being brunch time on a Sunday. Our highlight of visiting Ettlin’s Cafe though was definitely an iced coffee flight and a hot chocolate flight. Each month, they switch out their drink options and offer new, fun choices. When we visited, the adults in our group split an iced coffee flight. The flavors in our flight were a: funky monkey latte, cinnamon toast crunch cold brew, Dreaming of Italy, and Nutty Summer Latte. My favorite iced coffee in our flight was the cinnamon toast crunch cold brew . It was perfection! For the kids, we got a hot chocolate flight. All three of them absolutely loved this! They each liked different ones, but the butter beer and the strawberry hot cocoa were the favorites for all. It was plenty of hot chocolate for each of them and they loved trying all the different flavors, just like the adults with coffee. Ettlin’s Cafe is the perfect starter to a wonderful day and we left with full bellies, mouths hurting from laughing and smiling at experiencing the flights, and with great memories made.

Next, head to Barten’s pumpkins. This has been a tradition for our family for the last three years. We love this pumpkin patch and have some beautiful memories there. My favorite was last year when all of a sudden, it began to downpour right as we got there. The forecast was not for rain, but weather had different plans. Already soaking wet, we decided to stay and we had so much fun! Leaving, we were covered with mud, but our hearts were full! This year, we had perfect fall weather. Barten’s is family-owned, free admission, and such a sweet spot to spend a few hours. Their pumpkins are unique, a range of sizes, and they’re easy to buy. Bring cash as payment is in a cash box.

We love the little touches that the family has put on their pumpkin patch. For instance, my daughters love their little fairy doors and gardens placed throughout some of their trees. My son loves the corn bin basketball, their racing car tracks, and the little cars you can drive around. There are two play houses that my kids are usually drawn to playing in as well. Many adorable photo opportunities are around the patch and I love that they keep some of the same ones year to year, so you can take growth pictures from each year. Other fun things at Barten’s include a nature play area, a sand box, stilt sticks, and a pumpkin walk. I love this idea as they allow your family to walk to the pumpkin patch. A scavenger hunt is supplied and the walk allows for a little hike through their beautiful farm. On the weekends, they often are selling popcorn and have live entertainment. It’s perfect for offering an assortment of things to do, but not too overwhelming for your littlest ones.