Kimmel Orchard and Vineyard
A beloved Nebraska orchard and vineyard offering U-pick fruits, delicious cider, donuts, wine tasting, and family fun.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Tart cherry picking season
Kimmel Orchard and Vineyard
Best Time
Tart cherry picking season
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beloved Nebraska orchard and vineyard offering U-pick fruits, delicious cider, donuts, wine tasting, and family fun.
"Kimmel Orchard is one of my favorite places! The cider and apple donuts are genuinely unrivaled."
🎯 Check Fruit Availability
U-pick seasons vary! Call ahead or check social media for what's ripe before you go.
🍎 AppleJack Festival Tips
Expect crowds during the festival. Weekdays or early mornings are best for a calmer visit.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
U-Pick Fruit Adventures
Orchard Fields
Pick your own cherries, blackberries, and apples straight from the trees. A classic farm experience!
Apple Cider & Donuts
Apple Barn
Sip on their famous, unrivaled apple cider and indulge in freshly made apple donuts. A must-try!
Blackberry Banquet
Under the Apple Trees
Experience a seasonal farm-to-table dinner with wine and cider pairings. Unique summer dining!
Playgrounds & Photo Ops
Various Locations
Whimsical apple-themed spots and playgrounds offer fun for families and great photo opportunities.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Best Time for U-Pick
Festival Fun & Crowds
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Check Fruit Availability
U-pick seasons vary! Call ahead or check social media for what's ripe before you go. +1
🍎 AppleJack Festival Tips
Expect crowds during the festival. Weekdays or early mornings are best for a calmer visit.
🍷 Wine Tasting Fun
Enjoy a $10 wine tasting in the Apple Barn, no appointment needed!
👟 Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking and picking, so wear comfy shoes!
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Check Fruit Availability
U-pick seasons vary! Call ahead or check social media for what's ripe before you go. +1
🍎 AppleJack Festival Tips
Expect crowds during the festival. Weekdays or early mornings are best for a calmer visit.
🍷 Wine Tasting Fun
Enjoy a $10 wine tasting in the Apple Barn, no appointment needed!
👟 Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking and picking, so wear comfy shoes!
📸 Photo Opportunities
The orchard has many charming spots perfect for family photos and memorable shots.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard for its delightful farm atmosphere, especially its unrivaled apple cider and donuts. The U-pick experience and family-friendly activities like playgrounds are consistently praised. However, some have noted issues with the hardness of caramel on caramel apples.
"Drove out from Lincoln today and picked up some apple cider, a caramel apple and an apple slushy. The slushy was delicious! We intended to get some apples but most (except the red delicious) looked on the small side. Not anyone's fault; just a weird year. We could hardly cut/chew the caramel apple. Caramel had gotten VERY hard. It tasted good. Too bad the caramel was so hard."
KarenH
"kimmel is one of my favorite places! the cider and apple donuts are genuinely unrivaled. and there are so many fun and whimsical things to see and do! the u-pick is a classic but i also love the pollinator garden, market, and playground:) i come back every year at least once!"
Callaghan Cavanaugh
"Apple jack festival 2025! Rainy start (even the bumblebee had his morning shower) turned out to be a great Apple picking day!"
Amberina Bomberger
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Kimmel Orchard is about a 45-minute drive from Lincoln, Nebraska. The drive is scenic and straightforward, making it an easy day trip.
Public transport options are limited to reach Kimmel Orchard. It's best accessed by car, especially if you're coming from Lincoln or Omaha.
There are ample parking areas available throughout the orchard, especially near the main Apple Barn and market areas. Parking is generally free.
Follow the signs once you arrive at the orchard. Staff are usually on hand to direct you to the current U-pick locations for cherries, blackberries, or apples. +1
During peak seasons like the AppleJack Festival, traffic can increase. It's advisable to check local traffic updates before you leave.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to the general orchard and market areas is typically free. However, specific activities like U-pick fruit or special events may have separate charges.
Operating hours can vary seasonally. It's best to check their official website or social media for the most up-to-date hours, especially for U-pick availability.
Pricing for U-pick fruit is usually by the pound. Check with staff upon arrival for the current rates for cherries, blackberries, or apples. +1
Yes, Kimmel Orchard hosts events like the AppleJack Festival and seasonal banquets. Keep an eye on their social media for announcements. +1
The Blackberry Banquet is a special event, and advance booking is highly recommended due to limited seating. Check their website for reservation details.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Kimmel Orchard offers playgrounds, scavenger hunts within the playground area, and opportunities for fruit picking, making it a great family destination. +1
Absolutely! The orchard features whimsical apple-themed photo spots and beautiful natural scenery, perfect for capturing memories.
The market offers a variety of fresh produce, including apples, cider, donuts, and other seasonal fruits and baked goods.
Yes, Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard has a vineyard and offers wine tasting in their Apple Barn. No appointment is needed for a tasting.
Kimmel Orchard occasionally hosts workshops, such as pollinator workshops, providing educational and engaging experiences.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The apple cider and apple donuts are highly recommended and considered unrivaled by many visitors. The apple slushy is also a popular treat.
Yes, the market and Apple Barn offer a variety of items to purchase and take home, including fresh produce, baked goods, and cider.
The Blackberry Banquet is a farm-to-table dining experience featuring a seasonal four-course meal with wine and cider pairings.
While the taste is good, some visitors have noted that the caramel on the caramel apples can become very hard, making them difficult to eat.
Yes, there are playgrounds available, offering a fun space for children to play while adults can enjoy snacks and treats from the market.
📸 📸 Photography
The orchard offers numerous picturesque locations, including whimsical apple-themed displays, the vineyard, and the U-pick fields themselves.
Yes, the beautiful natural setting and charming decorations make Kimmel Orchard an excellent location for family portraits.
Yes, you can take photos during the festival, but be prepared for crowds which might make it challenging to get unobstructed shots.
Early mornings or late afternoons often provide softer lighting, ideal for photography. Weekdays will also offer fewer people in your shots.
Kimmel Orchard is ideal for landscape, family, and seasonal photography, capturing the essence of farm life and harvest.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider visiting on a weekday to avoid the peak crowds, especially if you have younger children who might be overwhelmed by large gatherings.
🍎 Apple Enthusiasts & Foodies
Foodies will also appreciate the Blackberry Banquet, a farm-to-table dining experience that showcases seasonal ingredients.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The U-Pick Experience at Kimmel Orchard
When you arrive for U-pick, you'll typically be given a container and directed to the designated picking areas. It's a fantastic activity for all ages, fostering a sense of accomplishment and providing the freshest possible produce. Remember to wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be walking through the orchard rows.
Beyond the main fruits, Kimmel Orchard also engages in other agricultural practices. They host workshops, such as pollinator workshops, highlighting the importance of bees and other insects in fruit production.
Seasonal Events and Culinary Delights
For a more refined culinary experience, the Blackberry Banquet offers a unique farm-to-table dinner under the apple trees. This seasonal event features a four-course meal crafted from the orchard's freshest ingredients, complemented by wine and cider pairings.
No visit to Kimmel Orchard is complete without sampling their renowned apple cider and apple donuts. Many visitors describe them as 'unrivaled,' making them a must-try item from the Apple Barn.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit