It's almost fall, and I know it's usually pumpkin spice everything, but it's also apple season! We've rounded up everything apple in Kansas City. Where to pick apples, where to find apple cider, where to find locally made apple pies, apple activities, and a ton of apple recipes! See below for everything you need to know when it comes to enjoying apples in KC this fall!
This guide was made possible by Cider Hill Family Orchard.
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Cider Hill Family Orchard offers U-Pick apples and pumpkins during the fall for families to come out and make lifelong memories. They open at the beginning of August and close October 31st. They typically can run out of apples prior to the end of October but it depends on the crowds. On the weekends they have hayrides taking you out to the orchard, a children's train ride, homemade apple wood smoked BBQ, lots of sweet treats, and a country store. Cider Hill Hours: AUGUST: Tuesday thru Saturday: 9:00am -5:00pm SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER: Tuesday thru Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm, Sunday: 12:00pm-5:00pm, Monday: Closed
Apple Orchard Roundup
There are a ton of amazing local orchards all over the metro and beyond. Just be sure to check their websites for availability before you head out the door!
Pick apples, take a hayride and have fun in their play area! Visit the barnyard, where friendly animals are waiting for a treat, or visit the Orchard Cafe for a treat of your own! Be sure to visit their the rustic barn store, where all the delights of the fall season await - apples, pumpkins, huge mums, local honey and more! U-Pick on apples is offered Saturdays and Sundays through September and October.
We went last weekend and had a great time! Apple Season at Cider Hill begins in late July and lasts until October. Families come out to the orchard for the day to pick their own apples and enjoy yummy treats like cider donuts, kettle corn, & apple cider slushes. Take a train ride, relax by the fire pit, shop in the quaint cottage store, and enjoy the fresh country air.
Located in Belton, Dunn's Cider Mill provides customers with fresh apples, apple butter, apple cider, cider donuts, and more!
Head out to Weston Red Barn Farm where your family can take a hayride, find a pumpkin in the pumpkin patch, see some barnyard animals, do an orchard tour, find your way through their corn maze, and much more!
Attractions included with your apple harvest ticket include jumping pillows, obstacle course, barnyard arcade, rally car course, truck playground, and so much more!
Schweizer Orchards is located in St. Joseph. Bring the whole family to Schweizer and choose from many different varieties of apples.
Schedule an appointment and visit the Wagon Wheel Orchard in Gardner. Wagon Wheel Orchard has many varieties to choose from. A great location if you want something simple!
Here are some articles with tips on apple picking:
5 Tips for Going Apple Picking with Kids
Tips For Picking the Best Apples This Season
A Great Place for Apple Products
If you're not into picking apples, but want to enjoy some fresh apple products in a rustic setting, bring the family to Louisburg Cider Mill. It's a favorite of ours and has been for a long time. We're big fans of their cider, donuts, and fruit butter. Find a pumpkin in their 10 acre pumpkin patch, find your way through their corn maze, and watch the kiddos play!
Locally Made Apple Pie in KC
Ashleigh's Bake Shop located in Pryde's
Quite literally a hidden gem, Ashleigh's Bake Shop is located in the basement of Pryde's Old Westport. I was there in January searching for birthday candles when I stumbled across their sweet little bakery. At Ashleigh's, their passion is pie, baked fresh every morning. Next time you're in Westport you MUST swing in and check it out.
Dolce Bakery
If you've ever dropped in around Thanksgiving, you can tell they make good pies by the hundreds of pie boxes stacked up by the windows, waiting to land on dinner tables all over KC. My sister in law from Western KS recently traveled to the Kansas State Fair, where she ran into a group who told her she MUST try Dolce the next time she was in KC! Yes. Dolce is that good.
Clocktower Bakery
While Clocktower Bakery is a British inspired bakery, they sure know how to make and American apple pie! Located in Downtown Overland Park, this is one of my favorite spots. They also happen to donate their delicious leftover pastries to the local non-profit hospice I work for (thank you, Clocktower!)
Don't scroll Heirlooms Insta if you're hungry, because their food is a feast for the eyes. They're well known not only for your classic dessert pie, but also for their hand pies, mini pies, and danishes. Yum!
The Upper Crust
If you live in Overland Park and haven't had a pie from The Upper Crust, you're doing it wrong! Their apple pie is one of my absolute favorites. A family friend of mine used to work for The Upper Crust, and she always graced our gatherings with a variety of their pies. I miss those days...
Easy As Pie
Easy As Pie is newer to the KC pie scene, but her pies are delicious. I had the opportunity to grab one when she popped up at Eb and Co on the Country Club Plaza a few months ago. She pops-up frequently, so if you can catch her somewhere, don't leave without one of her mini pies!
André's Confiserie Suisse
This KC classic has apple in a lot of different ways. Apple pie, apple charlotte, apple streusel, and more, I have no doubt. If it's from Andres, you know it's going to please the pallet. I love to drop by their KC store, grab a cup of coffee, and admire everything in the case. Good luck leaving there without a bag full of goodies.
McLain's
McLain's (with one C) is a KC family favorite, especially now that they have so many fantastic locations! Walk up to the window in Brookside, grab a table and catch up with friends in Shawnee, grab your laptop and get some work done in Lawrence, or run through the drive-through in Overland Park. Every few months we grab their Sunday breakfast to-go and head over to Roe Park for a family breakfast picnic. I've not had an opportunity to try their apple pie, but if there's a slice available the next time I'm in, you know I'm going to go for it!
Pie Goddess
This home baker out of Olathe (go Falcons!) has mad skills and makes absolutely beautiful pies. Check out her IG to see all her incredible pie designs (and her adorable cats). I haven't had an opportunity to try one of her pies, but I saw that she's doing a lot of good for the Boys and Girls Club of KC, so that alone makes her worth checking out!
Bloom Baking Co.
Look at the layers in this pie, ya'll! Bloom Baking Co., located in River Market, has been serving KC since 2010. We regularly pop in to grab my daughter a cupcake when visiting the City Market on Saturday mornings. It takes her ages to pick out the perfect one, but they're always devoured quickly. And guess what?! They just announced they'll be one of the lucky local eateries to have a location within the new KCI airport! Congrats, Bloom!
Tippin's
No KC pie roundup is complete without a nod to Tippin's. Their first restaurant was opened in Lenexa, KS, and was called Pippin's. They changed their name to Tippin's the year I was born, waaaay back in 1984. While they no longer operate Tippin's restaurants, they still provide pies to grocery stores locally and across the country. I can't tell you how many times I saw my mom "cheat" at Thanksgiving by ordering a Tippins pie. I am also guilty as charged.
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