Autumn Acres in Oskaloosa Fall 2010

 Since Saturday was a beautiful fall day, we decided to head to Oskaloosa and check out Autumn Acres.

Autumn Acres is located just 1.5 miles east of Oskaloosa on Highway 92. Autumn Acres is part of Stram Greenhouse. When you arrive, park in the parking lot in front of the greenhouses. The entrance to Autumn Acres is between the greenhouses. There will be someone waiting either on the sidewalk or just to the left to collect your admission to Autumn Acres. Children 2 and under are free. Everyone else is $6.00 per person. Admission includes a ticket for the corn cannon and apple slingshot.

As you continue walking down the sidewalk to Autumn Acres, check out the beautiful fall mums and other displays. 

Now for the fun!  The pirate ship will be the first object of play just on your left.  A rope maze and carpet ball are nearby.

The corn cannon and apple slingshot are at the end of the sidewalk near the edge of the pond.

A barrel train takes riders for a loop around Autumn Acres every few minutes.  There is also a shade structure with picnic tables and a snack shack nearby.

The corn box offers plenty of fun to children of all ages. 

Spare tire inner tubes make great toys.  There’s also a hay bale cow to lasso nearby.

The slide is the center point of Autumn Acres and its flags can be seen from quite a distance.  Grab a potato sack and get sliding!

The animals are on the far end of Autumn Acres.  We fed the goats corn and the donkey green apples.  There were also chickens and chicks.

There is also a corn maze and a hay bale maze.  It seems the hay bale maze is more for running and jumping on top of than meandering through.

A hay wagon ride is offered every 20 minutes or so and takes a relatively smooth ride through the tall corn.  It is amazing that the corn is so tall.  And, you get a breathtaking look at Autumn Acres when the tractor and wagon make their way out of the corn.

If you are looking for activities that are inside, there is pumpkin painting and scarecrow stuffing.  You may purchase a pumpkin and paint it for free.  There are a variety of pieces of clothing to be stuffed to create scarecrows.

There are also two fire pits with picnic tables around then and many photo opportunities.  Don’t be surprised to see kitties making Autumn Acres their home.  And, be sure to check out the offerings in the shops and greenhouses while there.

Who knew a large plastic tube could be so much fun?

Autumn Acres is open between now and October 30, Thursdays and Fridays 4:00pm -7:00, and Saturdays 10:00am to 6:00 pm. Autumn Acres is also available other days for field trips, group events, and birthday parties by calling 641-660-5751.




You can also check out their web-site: http://www.stamgreenhouse.com/autumn_acres.html

 

We have been to Autumn Acres several times over the last few years. Each year they continue to add activities. I noticed this year that the slide and corn box didn’t hold the boy’s interest the way they had in the past. The large black piece of tubing is what kept him entertained this year.




Everyone on the staff is friendly and ready to jump in and take over where needed. You almost feel like part of the family when you’re there.



Since Autumn Acres has so much to offer, I would love to see them offer winter activities when the pond freezes over. Can you imagine ice skating, or sliding down an icy slide and out onto the frozen pond? There could be tractor drawn sleigh rides, hot chocolate, and warm fires. Autumn Acres could be transformed into Winter Acres when the temperatures drop! Maybe this post will inspire!

Click here to read another post about Autumn Acres.