What a wonderful place! They're a pick-your-own strawberry farm with an abundance of fresh berries…read moreand plenty of parking, a quick and easy drive from Iowa City. Bring a container to take your strawberries home, as well as some water and sunscreen, and make sure to use the bathroom before you go (there's no store but rather a small structure next to the fields where you weigh and pay). Four of us went and filled a container maybe halfway and paid $20 (around $4 per pound). They take cash, credit, and checks, and the payment process is quick and easy. Check the website before going -- they update it with details about when the berries are available -- and if you're coming from a distance, consider calling as well.

The owners, Mark and Kristina, are very responsive and always so kind and accommodating. The…read moreberries may be even better than the customer service -- so juicy and sweet.

I purchased apples and one jam. I realized on the way home, I was charged for 2. I have called…read moretwice to get either a refund on my credit card or a check mailed to me. The first phone call, the guy said aren't you coming back? Then he said you can drive here and we will give you the cash. I said it will cost more to drive than the $8.00 dispute. He was going to try to figure out how to credit my card because he saw the transaction and if he couldn't he would call me back. Never received a credit or a phone call. I called again and he will send the check someday. What kind of business is this??? The apples were rotted even though I looked carefully at what I was picking. Stay away from this bad business.

Sun warmed fresh berries. Yes, Please!…read more We checked the website before hand. Blueberries, Cherries, gooseberries, currents and more were all ready for our choosing. You don't need a container cause they will supply you with a bucket. Keep in mind you are picking your own berries in bulk. We took the drive out from Ames and south of Nevada to check it out. They normally bring their berries to the Saturday morning Farmers Market but we were on an adventure. We stopped at the main little station and got the skinny on what to expect. The gentleman was blunt and straight up. We got a map, told where to go and what to do. This place is huge. Lots and lots of berries to be picked, but we were most excited about the blueberries. We had arrived in the perfect time as there were many to be had. It was a very warm early July day and the sun was high and berries ripped to be picked. My Mom and I parked and walked far out into the patch. We found some really decent sized berries and enjoyed the peace as we collected our bounty. I love that I know exactly where my food is coming from and I can even taste the product before committing to the plant. We made our way back to have our selection weighed and paid. There is also a little shop you can stop in and have a treat made from the berries on the property. I couldn't keep my hands out of my blueberries on the way home. I thought they tasted delicious. I would recommend this to anyone who is out for something a little different. The kids would really enjoy helping pick whatever you could desire. I thought it was interesting cause I will be honest and did not realize how a blueberry bush grew and learned something by visiting and taking on this new experience. Now I am just imaging all the different ways to eat my berries!

I heard about this lovely little pick your own flower farm just northwest of Des Moines on Next…read moreDoor. I know the address says Madrid which seems about 600 miles away, but it's basically Granger as it's only 15 minutes from Urbandale. The couple that runs the farm will walk you through the pick your flower process and all you need is a bucket or vase to collect your goodies - they have the clippers and water there. When we went last week it was $30 for all you could fill in a 5 gallon bucket with lower pricing for stems in a vase. They also sell their lavender in batches of stems. The sunflowers and zinnias were lovely but I'm most looking forward to dahlias soon! Pro tip: Take your mom and make her wear your summer hat for cute photos you can laugh at later.

This used to be my husband's family in a little town in Iowa. The new owners have added a Lavender…read morefarm and several Airbnb's on the property. We brought three grandsons here to experience the farm that grandpa grew up on. They are big city kids and thoroughly enjoyed running free over the empty cornfields and lovely walking trails. The Lavender suite itself is lovely! High-end appliances fireplace, and fire pit However we came in March and it was pretty cold. I have some mobility problems. I don't use a wheelchair, but I have to have pretty easy access to shower and such. This place was perfect. They also have some tree houses that would be fun, but that would be difficult for me and this place. There's plenty large enough to sleep five or six. The grandkids said they wanna live here. That made me very happy because I was worried that they might be bored. There are no theme parks here. they loved exploring the woods and the frozen creeks along the walking trail. The hosts could not be more perfect. We were responsive. But left us to our family time!

They did a yoga and morning drink event. How calming to sit in a lavender field to do yoga. They…read morehave a shop with many lavender gifts and home items they make like soaps, lotions bakery items and kid items. They also have Airbnb lodging that looks very pretty!

Fun place for apple-picking and buying delicious apple products (recommend the sparkling apple…read morecider and apple donuts). The orchard is huge, with plenty of room to roam and apple tree varieties to choose from, mostly honey crisp, but also crimson crisp, Jonagold, fuji, and gala. Admission is $5 per person and we paid $22 for a two-person you-pick peck. Which was more than enough for us! Cons: Parking was an issue (it was a weekend) with unclear traffic flow through the lot...and it became progressively more busy later in the day.

This was a most lovely orchard experience from start to finish. I began with a visit inside the…read morefarm market, which had fresh apples; frozen applesauce and pies; chilled apple cider + cans of their alcoholic ciders; and merchandise + gifts. Make your way to the register, and you can purchase donuts and turnovers as well as your u-pick bags. I made my apple turnover ala mode, which was worthwhile, and savored it outside overlooking the orchard. So picturesque! After my apple treat, I was ready to pick and made my way to the orchard. Expect some hill climbing and pretty scenery between the apple trees and flower fields. I imagine the trek could be more challenging for families with young ones. Wilson's boasts 100 varieties of apples, one of the reasons I visited the orchard in the first place. At the end of September, I filled my bags with two varieties I had never heard of, which was fun. The rows were well-marked with the apples that were ready for picking as well as the name of the variety. More importantly, the apples were delicious. Overall, I'm very happy I spent a morning here, and I imagine just about anyone else will feel similarly.

My wife, son and I went together and had a horrible experience. The employees barely paid attention…read moreto the children that were running amok. My son slipped on a busted pumpkin on the ground, breaking his arm. When the owner came out, she was very disrespectful and told us if we came after her for it, she would win because she has lawyers for situations such as this. Steer clear of this place. Not only is it a dangerous environment, but she clearly has no regard for the customers that visit the farm.

My family and I visited Blacks Heritage Farm and had a wonderful experience. Staff was very…read morefriendly and showed us where everything was . We enjoyed seeing all the animals and picking pumpkins. 10 out of 10 would recommend!

This place has a lot to offer. We were visiting family in the area and glad we stopped here for…read morelunch. The menu is larger but the brunch menu had some extra options. They do rotate some menu options to keep it fresh. The food was fresh and was flavorful. The service was friendly and prompt. And the vibe was modern/industrial farmhouse. They had an extensive gift shop that had so many goodies. So much more they offer that I am not mentioning. Food specifics I tried included a delicious fig & pig pizza and the duck poutine fries and I also had the dry cider flight to drink.

Try the restaurant - it's worth it. This place is more than just an orchard with fun events. They…read morehave an excellent restaurant and also do monthly themed dinners in their event space. My photos and review are of the special event so these items aren't on their regular menu, but that food is excellent as well. We have been to several of the special dinners and have enjoyed them all. These photos are from the recent Portside Chowder House seafood themed dinner. It was fantastic! So much food! The table service was exceptional with explanations of the dishes and theme. They also have a well stocked bar if you prefer cocktails or beers instead of cider. It's kind of a gem in the central Iowa restaurant scene.

Allen's orchard is wonderful! So many activities for the kids, including hayrides and games. Many…read moreapple varieties to choose from. I highly recommend the Crimson Crisp apples! They are delicious!

This is a fun pick-your-own orchard with clearly marked varieties. The prices are fair and well,…read morethe produce is as fresh as you can ask for. We have also purchased some of their already picked apples. Some we chose were marked down as seconds, but when we got home and cut into them found they were flawless on the inside. We've made several stops there this year and look forward to stopping next season.

I am from California, moved to Minnesota in 2016 and Waukee the end of 2016 - needless to say, I've…read morebeen around and visited many pumpkin farm/apple orchard places. Wills Family Orchard is, by FAR, the best I've EVER been to. The lady in the shop, the gentleman leading the hayride and the young man overseeing the pumpkin patch were all very friendly and helpful! They went above and beyond to ensure my two young daughters and I had an amazing time. Every step of the way they were informative, friendly and engaging. The apple picking was amazing - petting the goats was unforgettable and the play area for the children was so much fun. We highly recommend this place!!

Had a great experience here! Went with my family and the kids really enjoyed all the activities and…read morewe picked apples. You must get some of their apple cider donuts- made fresh and so good!

This family owned and operated orchard is wonderful! They're all incredibly friendly and the prices…read moreare perfect! Everything we got was delicious and fresh. Going and picking out our pumpkins was such a fun experience and the orchard was beautiful! The kids had a blast too. 10/10!!!!!!

They have some of the very best apples in the area. If you want to pick your own, take a drive up…read moreto Story City. Their cider is delicious. The baked goods look wonderful, too!