EMMA O’DWYER/THE CREIGHTONIAN
Ditmar’s Orchard and Vineyard, located in Council Bluffs, offers various activities for guests, including hay bale rides, shopping for fresh apples, flowers and jams (left) and a petting zoo (right).
Ditmar’s Orchard and Vineyard located in Council Bluffs is a tranquil haven for apple picking and fall activities. After arriving via dirt road, a welcoming building entices visitors with signs promising cider and hay bale rides.
Inside, jams and jellies hug the walls, and the smell of freshly made apple cider donuts lures you in. Jonagold and various other dessert apples display themselves in rustic-style bins and create an ambiance like a farmer’s market.
The main building also has various drinks on tap. The hot cider was the popular option on a crisp day and the effervescence of the cinnamon wafting from the cup made for a warm hug on an autumn day. Ditmar’s also hosts weekly programming like game night, pumpkin smashing and collaborates with local vendors for events such as permanent jewelry, music showcases and yoga.
A special tradition that Ditmar’s celebrates is an annual event called wassailing. This is an old English tradition that blessed the crops for the coming harvest and would do so by hanging bread by the trees. This ws thought to cultivate a fruitful season and fend off the blue jays that may tamper with the crops.
Ditmar’s puts a modern twist on this tradition by hanging their apple cider donuts on the trees and inviting an Irish priest who travels with the Renaissance festival. The celebration is free and open to the public and brought a whimsical touch to the apple trees that painted the rolling hills.
Speckled throughout the orchard, an all-inclusive wristband grants the opportunity to indulge in activities to make for a fun filled afternoon. A corn maze, petting zoo — featuring some very charismatic goats and chickens—and tractor rides are just a few that add to the experience.
Grab some friends and family and head over to Ditmar’s to enjoy an autumn day filled with activities and apples galore. Make sure to grab some warm cider at the end, too!