The Best Apple Orchards for Family Fun Within an Hour of Omaha!
Hey Omaha families! Can you smell autumn in the air? It's that magical time of year when the leaves are changing, the weather is perfect for outdoor adventures, and apple picking in Omaha is a favorite Fall tradition. Right now, apple orchards around our beautiful area are bursting with crisp, juicy apples just waiting for your family to discover them!
The best part? You don't have to travel far to create those picture-perfect fall memories with your kids. Within an hour's drive of downtown Omaha, you'll find some incredible u-pick apple orchards that offer way more than just apple picking. We're talking about full-day family adventures with pumpkin patches, corn mazes, pony rides, and all the seasonal fun your heart could desire.
Let me take you on a journey through the most amazing apple orchards near Omaha, organized by distance so you can choose the perfect adventure based on how far you want to travel. Trust me, each of these orchards offers something special that'll have your kids talking about your family outing for weeks!
Vala's Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard - Gretna (About 20 minutes from Omaha)
Starting closest to home, Vala's is legendary in the Omaha area, and for good reason! Experience the best of fall at Vala's Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard in Gretna, Nebraska. Enjoy a variety of over 50 attractions, including the recently renovated Haunted Farmhouse, newly installed Freya's Spinning Eggs ride, Cousin Lauren's Racin' Pigs ride, and so much more!
Your apple picking adventure here comes with incredible bonus activities that'll keep the whole family entertained all day long. Apple picking begins every day at 9 am, with the orchard usually closing at 6:30 pm. This gives you plenty of time to explore everything they offer. The kids will absolutely love the live shows, and you'll love the farm-fresh food options that make this a true family destination.
Super Bee Orchard - Fort Calhoun (About 25 minutes from Omaha)
You'll find Super Bee just off Highway 75, just south of Fort Calhoun. Super Bee is a warm, friendly, family-owned apple orchard that has called this area home for more than 50 years. There's something so special about the mom-and-pop family atmosphere at Super Bee that makes every visitor feel like they're part of the family. Visitors can expect to harvest many different varieties of apples in the fall. Super Bee also offers pony rides, which are always a massive hit with the little ones.
Super Bee Orchard's season runs from September through mid-November, with a variety of apples ready to be picked, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to visit throughout the fall season as different apple varieties reach their peak ripeness.
Martin's Hillside Orchard - Ceresco (About 45 minutes from Omaha)
A bit further out but absolutely worth the drive, Martin's Hillside Orchard is located in Ceresco, about 45 miles from Omaha. This orchard has shown incredible resilience, and those trees that survived are "loaded" with apples, promising an abundant harvest for your family's apple-picking adventure.
The scenic drive to Ceresco is part of the fun. Once you arrive, beautiful rolling hills surround you, as you immerse your family in an authentic farm atmosphere that makes apple picking a family tradition you'll treasure for years to come.
Arbor Day Farm - Nebraska City (About 50 minutes from Omaha)
Arbor Day Farm. Your orchard visit will go beyond apples to provide a complete agricultural experience that'll teach your kids about farming, nature, and where their food comes from. Now here's where things get exciting! Arbor Day Farm is 260 acres in a beautiful natural setting. The farm includes lodging, apple picking, pumpkin picking, wine tasting, and a community-wide AppleJack Festival – spanning multiple weekends in September!
Families love to make the You Pick Apples just a part of their fun activities when they go to Arbor Day Farm. In fact, coming to Nebraska City for the annual AppleJack Festival is one of the "top 10 Fall Harvest Festivals in America," according to USA Today! Can you imagine being part of one of America's top fall festivals while picking apples with your family? It's the kind of memory that lasts a lifetime.
Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard - Nebraska City (About 55 minutes from Omaha)
Also in Nebraska City, Kimmel Orchard offers activities for all ages. However, what makes Kimmel special is their focus on education – your kids will get immersive learning in nature to experience foundational principles of science, entomology, and orchard-related habitats. It's apple picking that doubles as a fantastic learning experience!
What Makes Right Now Perfect for Apple Picking
In Nebraska, the apple season reaches its peak from September through early October. Varieties available at local orchards vary by time of year, so be sure to check with your chosen orchard about what's ripe and ready for picking. You might find everything from sweet Honeycrisp to tart Granny Smiths, perfect for eating fresh food or taking home homemade apple pies and crisps.
Crisp autumn temperatures, beautiful fall colors, and harvest season fun create an atmosphere that makes Nebraska fall a magical time. The weather is perfect right now for spending the day outdoors with your family. Your kids will love the hands-on experience of picking their own apples, learning about different varieties, and connecting with nature in a way that's becoming increasingly rare in our digital world.
Many orchards also offer pumpkin picking right now, making it a one-stop destination for all your Halloween and fall decoration needs. Imagine your kids' excitement when they find the perfect pumpkin to carve and the perfect apples to take home – it's pure autumn joy!
Creating Lasting Family Memories
As the Heim-Berg Team, we've been long-time residents of the Omaha area and understand what makes families thrive in our wonderful community. We've seen firsthand how special places like these local apple orchards become part of families' treasured traditions, passed down from generation to generation.
These orchard visits aren't just about the apples – though those fresh, crispy varieties are incredible! They're about creating those precious family moments when everyone puts down their devices, works together, laughs together, and makes memories you'll share around the dinner table for years to come.
The convenience of having so many fantastic options within an hour of Omaha means you can easily make apple picking a regular part of your family's fall routine. You may visit a different orchard each weekend, or perhaps you'll find your favorite and make it an annual tradition. Either way, you're giving your children the gift of authentic experiences and a connection to the land that feeds us.
Make This Fall Unforgettable
Right now, is the perfect time to start planning your family's apple orchard adventures. Harvest season is called your name. The apples are hanging low, bending the tree limbs and the weather is perfect. If you get the kids in the car and go out to an orchard for the day, you're guaranteed to create memories that'll last a lifetime. You can choose the closest option for a quick afternoon adventure or make the slightly longer drive for a full-day festival experience, no matter which you choose, you'll make this fall unforgettable.
Grab your camera, pack some snacks, and get ready for the kind of family fun that reminds you why fall in Nebraska is magical. Your kids will love every minute of it, and you'll love watching their faces light up as they discover the simple joy of picking their own apples straight from the tree.
Ready to discover even more amazing family-friendly opportunities throughout our incredible Omaha area? The Heim-Berg Team would love to help you explore all the excellent reasons why families love calling Omaha home!
Stop by https://www.omahaarealiving.com/ or call us at (402) 677-9024. We'd be happy to chat about all the incredible community amenities and family opportunities that make our area such a special place to raise children!
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