DJ Notebook: Fun Fall Weekend at Collegeville Orchards

I love everything about fall--the changing leaves, the sweater weather, pumpkin spice cakes and drinks, bonfires and of course, pumpkin patches and apple orchards.

Every fall, I grab out my super fun to-do list (yes, I make to-do lists for everything) and pumpkin patches and apple orchards are always at the top of my list. I typically try to stop out to a few apple orchards because every one offers something a little different.

This weekend my husband and I took our son out to Collegeville Orchards on Sunday. The weather was perfect. We didn't plan on going out to pumpkin patch on Sunday but the Vikings game ended and the weather was just too awesome to pass up.

We threw on our light jackets and spent a few hours at the pumpkin patch. My two-year-old had a blast! If you've never been out there before, here's what you can expect!

They had live music from two members of the band Walter's Wheelhouse for people to enjoy as they went about their fall fun.

You can browse through their pumpkin patch and select one of your own...or, you can pick from a large selection of pre-picked pumpkins.

They also offer up pumpkin painting for kiddos who are more creative and want to try that route. Each kid gets a new painting brush to minimize sharing germs during COVID-19.

They have ANIMALS! That was my son's favorite part. They have a few horses, goats, sheep and I think an alpaca. The animals are super friendly and walk right up to the fence, practically begging for you to pet them.

Collegeville Orchards also offers tractor rides through the apple orchard for you and your family or group of friends.

My favorite part is definitely the little gift shop that sells a variety of products from the orchard, including apples, gourds, decorative corn, maple syrup, sauces, muffin mixes and other baked good mixes. I usually stock up and give these mixes and goodies out as gifts throughout the holiday season.

It was a great fall weekend for sure! Hmm, now to decide which pumpkin patch/apple orchard I'll go to next!