Map: Explore Minnesota apple orchards

Apples
Apples
Julie Siple/MPR News, File

Summer may be over, but we're entering the best time of year for exploring Minnesota's apple orchards -- and there are a lot of choices. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture lists 116 orchards.

Related:
• Photos: Picking your own makes apples seem a little sweeter
• Apple harvest begins in Minnesota
• The Splendid Table's apple buying guide

Click on the map markers for details

Apple recipes

A number of orchards sell goodies made with apples, and several are kind enough to share their recipes:

• Baked Apple Pancakes from Holmberg Orchard in Vesta
• Glazed Apple Cake from LuceLine Orchard in Watertown
• Apple and Sausage Pie from Pepin Heights in Lake City
• Asian Spinach-Apple Salad from Victoria Valley Orchard in Shoreview

Apple eating -- for science!

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen hosts tastings of apples that you can't try anywhere else. University of Minnesota researchers, who developed the popular Honeycrisp variety, will be gathering visitor input on new apple varieties during four weekends in late September and early October.