The no-frills apple orchard we all need to visit in Southern Minnesota!

As a grown-up, I still have wonderful memories of picking apples with my family as a young girl. Lifted up by my dad to reach for the high apples, traipsing through the orchards to find the trees with the BEST apples, biting into the juicy fruit to sample them while picking, and the satisfaction of carrying a huge bucket or bag filled to the brim back to the beginning of the orchard to bring them home are all parts of the recollection I have of apple picking as a child. Now, when people talk about apple picking, they often discuss the hay rides, jumping pillows, large slides, apple throwers, and games. While these are great and fun for apple orchards to have, sometimes they detract from the main purpose of an apple orchard: to pick apples. The act of picking apples, by itself, can make core memories just by itself.

Irish Mountain Orchard, located in Elysian, Minnesota, is this perfect location. Nestled in between rolling hills and farm fields, this is a beautiful destination to experience nature and enjoy the orchards. Open every day from 10 am to 6 pm, this orchard allows you to pick apples when it fits your schedule. At only $15 a bag to pick, you are free to pay and pick as many bags as you would like. Bring cash or check on weekdays. Wagons are available for families with little ones and pre-picked bags are available at times too. The people who helped us with our purchase were extremely kind and helpful telling us about the history of this location. There are a few cute photo opportunities at the base of the orchard that welcome your family and start building memories. Our favorite was the butterfly.

Walking through the orchards, you are greeted with dancing butterflies around the trees, buzzing bees enjoying the fruits, and a soft breeze at your face. A calming atmosphere, all family members are sure to feel welcomed and safe within the orchards. Another thing that I loved about Irish Mountain Orchard is you can mix your picking with both apples and pears. I’d never picked pears and after picking a few, we decided to sample one. My husband described it as the most delicious pear he had ever eaten in his life. We worked our way from the pears back to the apples. The kids happily sampled an apple as we walked and picked.

By the end of our visit, our bag was full, our kids were happy, and we had thoroughly enjoyed our time at the orchard picking apples as it should be! If you’re looking for a simple experience of an apple orchard, I’d highly recommend Irish Mountain Orchard. What amazing memories we have now of picking apples! Best of all, this is one of those memories that keeps on giving as we have been able to make apple crisp and other apple goodies with the picked apples.

Until my next adventure,

Allie