Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard Educational Foundation
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Kimmel Orchard and Vineyard

4.5
·501 reviews·Nebraska City, United States

A beloved Nebraska orchard and vineyard offering U-pick fruits, delicious cider, donuts, wine tasting, and family fun.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Early Summer Mornings

Tart cherry picking season

CrowdLow
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Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard Educational Foundation

Kimmel Orchard and Vineyard

Best Time

Early Summer Mornings

Tart cherry picking season

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A beloved Nebraska orchard and vineyard offering U-pick fruits, delicious cider, donuts, wine tasting, and family fun.

4.5
(501 reviews)

"Kimmel Orchard is one of my favorite places! The cider and apple donuts are genuinely unrivaled."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 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.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Rating

4.5 · 501 reviews

Type

Farm

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

U-Pick Fruit Adventures

U-Pick Fruit Adventures

Orchard Fields

Pick your own cherries, blackberries, and apples straight from the trees. A classic farm experience!

TikTok+2
Apple Cider & Donuts

Apple Cider & Donuts

Apple Barn

Sip on their famous, unrivaled apple cider and indulge in freshly made apple donuts. A must-try!

Reddit
Blackberry Banquet

Blackberry Banquet

Under the Apple Trees

Experience a seasonal farm-to-table dinner with wine and cider pairings. Unique summer dining!

TikTok
Playgrounds & Photo Ops

Playgrounds & Photo Ops

Various Locations

Whimsical apple-themed spots and playgrounds offer fun for families and great photo opportunities.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Best Time for U-Pick

Fruit availability varies! Cherries are typically ready in early summer, followed by blackberries and then apples in the fall. Check their social media for real-time updates on what's ripe for picking to avoid a wasted trip. TikTok+1

Festival Fun & Crowds

The AppleJack Festival in late September/early October is a major draw, bringing high crowds. If you prefer a quieter experience, aim for weekdays or earlier in the fall season. TikTok

Best Times

When
Early Summer Mornings
Why
Tart cherry picking season
Crowd
Low
When
Fall Weekdays
Why
Apple picking, fewer crowds
Crowd
Low
When
Late Sept/Early Oct Weekends
Why
AppleJack Festival buzz
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Come to Kimmel to pick tart cherries today and tomorrow! #cherrypicking #cherries #upick #orchard #fruit #activity #fyp
@kimmelorchardandvineyard
3.4K likes • 33K views

🎯 Check Fruit Availability

U-pick seasons vary! Call ahead or check social media for what's ripe before you go. TikTok+1

🍎 AppleJack Festival Tips

Expect crowds during the festival. Weekdays or early mornings are best for a calmer visit. TikTok

Meet Evie! #intern #fyp #events #nebraska #nebraskacity #intro
@kimmelorchardandvineyard
139 likes • 3.2K views
Cherry Picking at Kimmel Orchard 🍒 #fyp #trending #nebraska #cherry #orchard #familyfun
@ksuarezeey9
35 likes • 1.1K views

🍷 Wine Tasting Fun

Enjoy a $10 wine tasting in the Apple Barn, no appointment needed! TikTok

👟 Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking and picking, so wear comfy shoes! Reddit

We’ve gone to the AppleJack festival at @Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard & @ArborDayFarm the past 2 years and i couldn’t help but share it!! Worth the trip even if you’re a few hours away 😍🍎 Saturday 9/20 - Sunday, 9/21 & Saturday, 9/27 - Sunday, 9/28 this year ‼️ in Nebraska City, NE #fallfestival #nebraska #applejackfestival #nebraskacity #applefestival
@noel.therese
389 likes • 10.7K views

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. TikTok+1

🍎 AppleJack Festival Tips

Expect crowds during the festival. Weekdays or early mornings are best for a calmer visit. TikTok

🍷 Wine Tasting Fun

Enjoy a $10 wine tasting in the Apple Barn, no appointment needed! TikTok

👟 Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking and picking, so wear comfy shoes! Reddit

📸 Photo Opportunities

The orchard has many charming spots perfect for family photos and memorable shots. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.5
(501 reviews)

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

Unrivaled apple cider & donuts
Fun U-pick experiences
Family-friendly atmosphere

What People Dislike

Hard caramel on apples

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. TikTok

Public transport options are limited to reach Kimmel Orchard. It's best accessed by car, especially if you're coming from Lincoln or Omaha. Reddit

There are ample parking areas available throughout the orchard, especially near the main Apple Barn and market areas. Parking is generally free. Reddit

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. TikTok+1

During peak seasons like the AppleJack Festival, traffic can increase. It's advisable to check local traffic updates before you leave. TikTok

🎫 🎫 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. Reddit

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. TikTok

Pricing for U-pick fruit is usually by the pound. Check with staff upon arrival for the current rates for cherries, blackberries, or apples. TikTok+1

Yes, Kimmel Orchard hosts events like the AppleJack Festival and seasonal banquets. Keep an eye on their social media for announcements. TikTok+1

The Blackberry Banquet is a special event, and advance booking is highly recommended due to limited seating. Check their website for reservation details. TikTok

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Kimmel Orchard offers playgrounds, scavenger hunts within the playground area, and opportunities for fruit picking, making it a great family destination. Reddit+1

Absolutely! The orchard features whimsical apple-themed photo spots and beautiful natural scenery, perfect for capturing memories. Reddit

The market offers a variety of fresh produce, including apples, cider, donuts, and other seasonal fruits and baked goods. TikTokReddit

Yes, Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard has a vineyard and offers wine tasting in their Apple Barn. No appointment is needed for a tasting. TikTok

Kimmel Orchard occasionally hosts workshops, such as pollinator workshops, providing educational and engaging experiences. TikTok

🍽️ 🍽️ 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. TikTokReddit

Yes, the market and Apple Barn offer a variety of items to purchase and take home, including fresh produce, baked goods, and cider. TikTok

The Blackberry Banquet is a farm-to-table dining experience featuring a seasonal four-course meal with wine and cider pairings. TikTok

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. Reddit

Yes, there are playgrounds available, offering a fun space for children to play while adults can enjoy snacks and treats from the market. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The orchard offers numerous picturesque locations, including whimsical apple-themed displays, the vineyard, and the U-pick fields themselves. Reddit

Yes, the beautiful natural setting and charming decorations make Kimmel Orchard an excellent location for family portraits. Reddit

Yes, you can take photos during the festival, but be prepared for crowds which might make it challenging to get unobstructed shots. TikTok

Early mornings or late afternoons often provide softer lighting, ideal for photography. Weekdays will also offer fewer people in your shots. TikTok

Kimmel Orchard is ideal for landscape, family, and seasonal photography, capturing the essence of farm life and harvest. Reddit

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