Our autumn. An all-too-fleeting beauty with a bit of a bite, and a fave season for many. Naturally, we Minnesotans make a point of packing in as many outdoor activities as pawsible before the cold and snow dictate our choices.

There’s no shortage of things to doo, and a few that are practically required, like an annual apple orchard trip (or trips!).

Take your pick from our list of dog-friendly options, then go forth and slurp up our furbulous fall with your furry bestie.

(Editor’s note: Pups are allowed on orchard grounds only, not in buildings. Bring your own poop bags, leash your dog – and for Pete’s sake, no flexies!)

AAMODT’S APPLE FARM, Stillwater
10am – 6pm daily
Aamodt’s is sheer apple heaven, with apples, apple cider, seriously delicious apple brats, and a bakery with apple pies. And this apple farm also happens to share its acreage with the award-winning Saint Croix Vineyards. Salut!

APPLEWOOD ORCHARD, Lakeville
10am – 6pm daily
Lots to do at Applewood: pick your own apples, weekend hayrides, pumpkins, and a 10-acre corn maze. Pile the kiddos, both two-legged and four-, into the car and make a fab fall day of it.

CARLSON’S ORCHARD, Winsted
10am – 5pm Tuesday through Saturday
Carlson’s Orchard offers tons of activities for you and your family: self-guided tours, tractor and hay rides, U-pick apples, live music, straw mountain, pumpkin patch, and more.

DEARDORFF ORCHARDS & VINEYARD, Waconia
10am – 6pm Wednesday through Sunday
After picking your apples (and pumpkins) at Deardorff, mosey over to the winery for some award-winning Parley Lake wine, then head down the road to pup-paradise Carver Park Reserve dog park.

@themacareina looking cute as can be at Deardorff Orchards & Vineyard

FAIRHAVEN FARM, South Haven
10am – 6pm daily
Choose from over 25 varieties of apples (or just get some of each!) at Fairhaven Farm, and enjoy the corn maze, pumpkin patch, and hay rides (Saturdays and Sundays 12-4pm). They also produce raspberries, pears, plums, grapes and more.

FALL HARVEST ORCHARD, Montrose
10am – 6pm Thursday through Sunday
Apples, pumpkins, and plenty of activities – like a corn maze and wagon rides – await you at Fall Harvest Orchard. Free admission.

GILBY’S ORCHARD, Aitkin
9am – 5pm daily
Wanna get away? Head “up north” to Gilby’s and you might see pheasants and deer as you walk the orchard trails. Pick from over a dozen apple varieties, go on a hay ride, explore the corn maze, and get your pumpkins, gourds, jams, and jellies.

GLAICIAL RIDGE WINERY, Spicer
12 – 6pm Thursday through Sunday
Glacial Ridge Winery offers not only wine but apples, apple cider, and caramel apples during apple season from the beautiful Jimmy Appleseed Orchard on their property.

LUCELINE ORCHARD, Watertown
10am – 6pm Wednesday through Sunday
At 155 acres, LuceLine is the Great Dane of apple orchards. Ultra-friendly and bred for both work and play, this orchard offers a variety of apples, pumpkins and squash, loads of apple-y fare, and tons of space to pick, walk, ride, watch, and romp.

MINNETONKA ORCHARDS, Minnetrista
10am – 7pm daily
With apples and pumpkins galore, hayrides, and delish food and drink (did someone say “donut hut”?), Minnetonka Orchards is perfect for kids and pups alike. Or just go with your sweetie and get turned around in the corn maze. Feign fear. Sneak some smooches. Embarrass the dog.

NELSON’S APPLE FARM, Webster
1pm – 6pm Friday; 10am – 6pm Saturday and Sunday
Sprawled across 15 acres, you’ll find 25+ varieties of apples to satisfy your taste buds. Visit the store for pre-picked apples, jams, jellies, trinkets, take-n-bake apple pies, and much more.

@skye_and_enzo picking out their pumpkins at Nelson’s Apple Farm

PLEASANT VALLEY ORCHARD, Shafer
10am – 6pm daily
Pleasant Valley Orchard offers a fun fall experience for the whole family. In addition to your favorite MN-grown apples (pre-picked and ready for you), you’ll find an amazing array of pumpkins, a bakery, and a gift shop.

SOGN VALLEY ORCHARD, Dennison
12 – 6pm daily
SOGN Valley is a beautiful orchard with the best (we hear) apple cider you’ll ever taste! The owner, John, also has a Border Collie who might just be your pup’s new best friend.

SPONSEL’S MINNESOTA HARVEST APPLE ORCHARD, Jordan
10am – 6pm daily
Sponsel’s is one of the best in the biz, featuring cider, caramels, donuts, an apple catapult, and wagon rides. Oh, and plenty of apples. (Did we need to say it?)

SWEETLAND ORCHARD, Webster
10am – 6pm Saturdays and Sundays
This southern gem offers a lip-smacking selection of pre-picked apples, along with cider for sale and for tasting, tours of the cidery and orchard, a kids’ area in the barn, and free-range chickens. Bring your pooch – and a picnic – and enjoy a quiet day in their gorgeous world.

WHISTLING WELL FARM, Hastings
9am – 6pm daily
An excellent apple selection and WAY more: you can also pick your own pumpkins, dig your own fall mums, or shop for jams, ciders, gourds, squash, honey, fall decorations, and ornamental corn.

Next up: Share all of your pup’s adventures with #SidewalkDog for the chance to be featured. Then head to our Dog-Friendly Twin Cities online community for super local, pooch-centric chat with the some of the best people we know – dog people.

And since you clearly love being out and about with your doggo, you NEED our Dog-Friendly Passes! These puppies score ya FREE beer or wine on local patios and inside taprooms. Get your paws on ‘em today. (They make grrr-eat gifts, too!)