Spooky in the City is an ongoing series on Spooky Little Halloween. In 2024, Miranda is taking you to a local haunt in her new home state of Minnesota, then showing you how to find similar spooky spots in your city, state, or country.
Today, we're breaking all the rules of Spooky in the City to stop by a local seasonal favorite just outside the Twin Cities.
Welcome to The AppleHouse.
This spot is part of the University of Minnesota’s Landscape Arboretum, and the reason it breaks the rules of this series? It’s only open for a few months, not year-round.
But it’s a long season that typically starts in late August and runs through mid-December.
And it’s one I heard a lot about from locals, so we’re adding it in!
What is The AppleHouse? It’s a seasonal gift shop on the school’s arboretum properly southwest of Minneapolis featuring locally-grown apples, including varieties created by the University of Minnesota.
Inside you’ll find tons of apple treats made by UM’s Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, like quick breads, jams, and even apple cider.
You’ll also find fresh apples.
One of the coolest things about this stop? I learned I have the University of Minnesota to thank for my own favorite variety of apple, the Honeycrisp!
This variety was created as part of the school’s apple breeding program back in the 1960s and is a cross between a Macoun and Honeygold apple.
And they’ve continued creating apple varieties since — 29, in fact. The day I visited, their First Kiss apple was available for purchase in pecks, so I grabbed some since I likely won’t make it to my favorite apple orchard in Wisconsin this fall.
I also wandered the shop and property and picked up a few more apple treats for myself. Here’s a peek inside my visit.
Here’s what I saw on my visit:
First, a peek inside the building. Like most Minnesota things, I’ve discovered, it’s humble and unassuming…but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a ton of fun too.
One of the first things I dove into was this display of quick bread mixes. From donuts to cookies to breads, there was something for everything — and many with a bit of apple already added in.
Another thing that pulls me in like a moth to a flame? Jams, jellies, and preserves of all kinds. There were lots to choose from, but I stuck to the Landscape Arboretum offerings.
Like this apple cider jelly that absolutely came home with me.
I visited on their first weekend open, so I was surprised and delighted to find local apple cider ready for purchase!
As a now former Texan and forever Buc-ee’s lover, stumbling across this treat made me smirk. I see what you did there, University of Minnesota…
If you’re a BIG fan of the AppleHouse, you can even take home your own merch. 😂
Wondering what came home with me?
Here’s my AppleHouse haul! I got:
Caramel apple bar mix
Italian wedding soup mix (for my first cold fall evening!)
Cheesy garlic beer bread mix (to be paired with the soup)
Apple cider jelly
Wildflower honey
Apple cider
Apple bratwurst
A peck of First Kiss apples
HOW TO FIND apple orchards NEAR YOU:
As someone who used to live in the southern United States, I know what a bummer it can be to not have easy access to this fall favorite. But if you ARE lucky enough to live where apples grow, I hope these tips are helpful in finding a spot like this near you.
Here are a few key phrases you can search with your city, state or country’s name to find an apple orchard or shop near you:
apple orchard + CITY/STATE/COUNTRY
apple season + CITY/STATE/COUNTRY
apples for sale + CITY/STATE/COUNTRY
apple orchard + NEAR ME
apple season + NEAR ME
apples for sale + NEAR ME
fresh apples for sale + NEAR ME
bulk apples for sale + NEAR ME
What apple treat would you pick up?
Out of everything I shared, let me know what apple goodie you’d treat yourself to!
