Fun Fall Field Trips

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Gold Bug Mine

2635 Gold Bug Lane, Placerville

Just off Highway 50 near Main Street Placerville, Gold Bug Mine is a step into the past. Admission is free to visit the Mining Museum, Stamp Mill and Blacksmith demonstrations, and mineral displays. The Liberty picnic pavilion and hiking trails are also on site. Tours of the Gold Bug Mine include a hard hat to wear into the mine and access to their audio tour. The website not only provides information about the park, but also has a virtual tour option with study materials. Gold Bug Mine is open daily from 10a - 4p, $12/adults, $10/seniors & military, $6/kids 6-17, and kids 5 and under are free. More information is available at www.goldbugpark.org

Walking Tour of Main Street, Placerville

A great place to start your walking tour is at the Fountain & Tallman Historical Museum, located in a historic building at 524 Main Street and open Wednesday - Sunday from 12p - 4p. Supported by the El Dorado County Historical Society, they have two floors of rotating displays, gift shop, and a free walking guide of Main Street. The walking tour will take you along both sides of Main Street, divulging stories and secrets of the buildings as they now stand, as well as information about what was there before their time. Plaques along the way add to the commemoration of Placerville’s history. Free 2-hour parking is available, as well as many shops and eateries to take breaks along the way. (Ice cream, anyone!?) www.eldoradohistoricalsociety.org

Sherwood Demonstration Garden

6699 Campus Dr, Placerville

Learn about sustainable horticulture and pest control from Master Gardeners! With 16 individual gardens, you can learn about a variety of plants and environments. Open Fri & Sat 9a - 12p, garden tours the 1st Sat of the month, and group tours available. Their website includes videos and handouts about various topics relating to gardening, irrigation, native plants, trees, growing your food and even caring for backyard chickens. For more information, visit mgeldoradoucanr.edu

Apple Hill

Camino

Apple Hill has plenty of opportunities for fall fun, from “U-Pick” goodies and nature trails, to farm animals and mazes. There’s always something fun to do in Apple Hill, especially during the week! (And a great recipe for how to use some of your “you-pick” apples is on page 37!)

Take a look at the different activities available by farm @ applehill.com/fun-4-kids/