Mulberry Orchard

Our take

Mulberry Orchard, a family-established farm in Shelbyville, Shelby County, operates a working orchard offering a 4-acre corn maze, u-pick pumpkins, hayrides, petting zoo, and playground attractions. The on-site Mulberry Kitchen serves sandwiches and desserts, making it a rare fall farm with built-in dining.

The Farm and Orchard Model

Mulberry operates year-round as a working orchard (growing 16 apple varieties and 17 peach varieties) with a seasonal fall focus. The pumpkin patch and attractions are added for September–November. That means the atmosphere is more agricultural than commercial entertainment—you’re visiting a real working farm, not a theme park.

The farm runs Tuesday–Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m.–5 p.m., closing Mondays. The schedule offers reasonable access but no Monday option or evening weekday hours beyond 6 p.m.

The Main Attractions

4-acre corn maze: The centerpiece. A substantial maze for a smaller farm; expect 25–45 minutes for most visitors.

U-pick pumpkins: Self-directed; you pick your own gourds from the field. Great for kids who want the harvest experience.

Hayrides, petting zoo, playground, and slides: Secondary attractions; unclear whether they’re bundled in base admission or priced separately.

On-site Mulberry Kitchen: Serves sandwiches and desserts. This is unusual for pumpkin patches and adds dining convenience without leaving the farm.

Cost Structure

Specific admission pricing is not published. The farm lists multiple activities but doesn’t clarify whether they’re bundled or separately charged. This is a critical unknown you need to clear by phone before you commit to a visit. Once you confirm pricing, you’ll have a clear sense of what a family outing costs and how to plan your budget. The Mulberry Kitchen allows you to bring a lunch and purchase just what you need, which can help manage overall costs.

Best Timing

Weekday morning (Tue–Sat 9 a.m.–11 a.m.): Quietest times; ideal for families avoiding crowds. You’ll have much of the property to yourself.

Saturday morning (9 a.m.–1 p.m.): Good for weekend-tied families; arrive at opening to beat midday traffic.

Avoid Saturday 2 p.m.–5 p.m.: Peak regional weekend traffic; expect parking challenges and crowded maze.

Sunday early afternoon (1 p.m.–3 p.m.): Moderate Sunday traffic; less busy than Saturday.

Closed Monday: Plan your visit around the six-day schedule.

Mulberry Kitchen Advantage

The on-site kitchen serving sandwiches and desserts is a real convenience. You don’t have to leave the farm to eat, and you’re not dependent on food-truck concessions. This works well for families wanting a relaxed, extended visit. Bring cash if the kitchen doesn’t take cards (many farm venues don’t).

Multi-Activity Approach

With a maze, u-pick pumpkins, hayrides, petting zoo, and playground, you have options for a 2–3 hour visit. Younger kids might enjoy the petting zoo and slides most; older kids and adults gravitate to the maze. You can tailor your visit to your group’s interests.

Geographic Location

Mulberry is in Shelby County, positioned between Louisville (roughly 30 minutes west) and Lexington (roughly 30 minutes east) in the heart of the Bluegrass region. It’s a natural add-on to bourbon-trail distillery visits or the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington.

Before You Visit

Call (502) 655-2633 to confirm:

• Admission pricing and what’s included in base admission
• Whether hayrides, petting zoo, and playground are separate costs
• Mulberry Kitchen menu items, pricing, and payment options
• Any special events or programming in fall 2026
• Accessibility concerns or parking for visitors with mobility issues

The farm’s year-round orchard operation and family history suggest a stable, well-established business. The addition of on-site dining makes it a more comfortable multi-hour destination than purely commercial patches.