Wilson’s Orchard: A Fun Family Day Near Iowa City

If you're looking for a fun fall adventure the whole family can enjoy, mine recently revisited a fun and tasty destination just outside Iowa City. It's officially the perfect season for fall to take over, and what better way to enjoy the change then by visiting an area orchard.

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My family and I spent a full afternoon at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm, and we packed quite a bit into our visit. We've been to Wilson’s a few times before, but every time we go, it seems like there is something new to check out. In fact, if you want to watch our full family adventure, check it out below!

When we arrived, Wilson’s was already busy. We ended up parking in the overflow area before making our way down to the Farm Market. There is plenty to browse inside, including jams, apple butter, snacks, baked goods, and Wilson’s hard ciders. Of course, we also had to check out the apple cider donuts. If there is one thing you absolutely must do, it's have a fresh donut!

From there, we grabbed a bag for apple picking and headed out to the farm. We'd of course stop back in for some goodies before we headed home for the day.

Flowers, Apples, Tractor Rides, and More

One of the things I like about Wilson’s is that apple picking is just part of the experience. We took a tractor ride around the orchard, checked out the pumpkin patch from a distance, and wandered around the farm through the cut flowers before getting down to the serious business of picking apples.

During our visit, we were picking Song of September apples. The kids had a great time searching the trees for the biggest and best apples they could find. Some were easy to reach, while others required a little stretching, climbing, and even sitting on dads' shoulders. Eventually, we managed to completely fill our $15 quarter peck bag.

Not only can you fill your bag with the family, but if there was a particularly delicious looking apple there, a worker was set up to cut the apple for you to enjoy. We all took advantage of the abundant and tasty treats. We definitely got our money's worth.

After picking apples, we let the kids spend some time on the playground before walking through the sunflower field. That ended up being one of my favorite parts of the visit. There were sunflowers in several different colors and varieties, including some beautiful darker red and burgundy flowers.

Wilson’s also offers opportunities to pick flowers during the season, so there is more to explore than just the apple trees. Additionally, there are raspberries and pumpkins to pick as well.

What Does Wilson's Cost?

Wilson’s currently lists $5 admission for guests age 3 and older for the southern half of the farm. That admission includes access to the you-pick activities, seasonal corn maze, playground, and other farm amenities. There are other add-ons like the tractor ride and the farmyard. If you're looking to enjoy the farm for less, make sure to stop by Wednesday through Friday. Picking costs are separate, and with special events, prices and available crops can change throughout the season. It's a good idea to check Wilson’s website before heading out.

For our family, it turned into a great Iowa fall day. We picked apples, rode a tractor, explored the farm, walked through the sunflowers and, of course, went home with some treats. If you have kids and are looking for something a little different to do this fall, Wilson’s Orchard is definitely worth putting on your list.