When fall rolls around, visions of things like pumpkins (or pumpkin spice!), scarecrows, hayrides, and Halloween come to mind. If you’re like me, chances are that apples – and the associated apple pie, apple cider, apple crisp, apple strudel etc. – are also part of what makes autumn so special. In fact, a trip to your nearby apple orchard may be a time-honored tradition for your family. After all, there’s something distinctly “fall” about the fun of picking a bushel of apples on a crisp and sunny Saturday afternoon, followed by sampling cider and maybe even some local homemade baked goods.
You can certainly plan an enjoyable weekend outing to your local apple orchard, but why not plan a long(er) trip to an area where you can combine apple picking with other local sites and create an enjoyable mini-vacation in the process? While there are thousands of apple orchards scattered throughout the United States, here are ten orchards that would all make a great excuse for a long weekend or vacation.
Applecrest Farm Orchards – Hampton Falls, New Hampshire
Applecrest is a fourth-generation orchard located in southeastern New Hampshire, where you’ll find more than 40 varieties of apples on their 220 acres of orchards. You’ll also find a lot more than apples though, as they also grow a number of different fruits, pumpkins and gourds. And when you’re finished picking apples, you can take time to explore their on-site market that sells apple butter, apple wine, apple cider doughnuts and apple-scented candles. Or enjoy some bluegrass music or a horse-drawn hayride. Finish your day at Applecrest Farm Bistro, where guests can enjoy a farm-to-table fine dining experience. Want one more reason to visit? As New Hampshire’s oldest and largest orchard, Applecrest was actually the inspiration for American author John Irving’s novel “The Cider House Rules.”
Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards – Lafayette, New York
With 300,000 apple trees, Beak & Skiff is a family-owned orchard that has been growing apples since George Skiff and Andrew Beak (an onion farmer and dairy farmer respectively) partnered in 1911 to grow apples. In the nearly 110 years since, their orchard has become a fantastic place for apple picking in Central New York. Here, from late August through late October, you’ll find all your favorite varieties, including McIntosh, Red Delicious, Fuji, and Gala, as well as some lesser-known types, such as RubyFrost, Ginger Gold, Paula Red, and SnapDragon. Once you’ve picked your apples, you’ll want to stop by the distillery, tasting room and tavern, where you can get a taste of the orchard’s hard cider, made from the fruits grown on the property. Live music events, Cider Fests, Orchard Runs and a Kids’ Magic Show add entertainment to the apple picking.
Solebury Orchards – New Hope, Pennsylvania
Located amid 80 acres of beautiful Bucks County, Solebury provides a picturesque location within an easy drive of Philadelphia, making it a great option for a long weekend or vacation filled with a variety of fun and interesting things to do. During the fall season, visitors to Solebury Orchards are welcome to pick their own apples, cherry tomato, and even flowers. On weekends during the autumn apple season, guests can also enjoy a wagon ride through the orchards.
Larriland Farm – Woodbine, Maryland
Located within 40 miles of both Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Larriland Farm is another orchard that provides “lots to see and do” within an easy drive. Visit Larriland for, not only apples, but pumpkins, beets, and broccoli every fall. The orchard offers multiple kinds of pick-your-own apples, available to pick from early September to early November, though exact varieties differ by month. While you’re there, take the time to enjoy other on-site amenities like a straw maze and weekend hayrides in late September and October. Don’t leave without visiting Larriland’s market, where you’ll find homemade apple fritters and other snacks on Saturdays and Sundays as well.
Carter Mountain Orchard – Charlottesville, Virginia
With 11 different types of pick-your-own apples, a store, and a bakery selling everything from apple butter to apple pies, apple lovers are sure to find themselves in apple heaven at Carter Mountain Orchard. (There are even informational pages on the orchard’s website to learn about the various fruits they grow and how they’re best used.) Located 3 miles southwest of Monticello in Charlottesville, you’ll also find tasting rooms where adults can sample hard cider and wine from a local cellar and a nearby winery. Apple picking hours vary by month, but with Virginia’s more moderate climate, visitors will find that they can pick apples generally through mid-November. Visit during the week for their Thursday Evening Sunset Series, extending into the beginning of apple season, which features live music, hayrides and sunset views.
Mercier Orchards – Blue Ridge, Georgia
In business since in 1943 when it was started by Bill and Adele Mercier, this family farm grows 52 varieties of apples, and is a great place to visit if you’re spending time exploring northern Georgia and the nearby Appalachian Trail. In addition to apple-picking, visitors will also enjoy the bakery/deli, farm market and winery. Interestingly, Mercier Orchards is the only orchard in the state that grows, presses, ferments, and bottles their own hard cider and wine. Picking season here is typically from mid-August to early October, though exact availability may vary each year.
Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyards – Starlight, Indiana
With 600-plus acres of orchards and vineyards, Huber’s Orchard just 20 miles northeast of Louisville, Kentucky has been family-owned since 1843, and offers apple picking every year from late August through October. Apple-loving visitors will enjoy, in addition to picking apples, a variety of apple products ranging from apple dumplings to apple sangria to apple ice cream. While at Huber’s, you’ll also want to take time to enjoy lunch at the Starlight Cafe, visit the Family Farm Park, or step into the Ice Cream and Cheese Shop. Wine lovers will also appreciate that Huber’s, as the name would suggest, is a winery and vineyard, and so offers both wine and spirits tasting. Live music is performed every weekend in season.
Apple Holler – Sturtevant, Wisconsin
Originally opened as a dairy farm in the early 1900s, this 78-acre farm now features – in addition to apple picking – a restaurant, fall hayrides and winter sleigh rides, a bakery, and a gift shop. Less than 30 miles south of downtown Milwaukee, the fields of Apple Holler are filled with more than apples, as visitors can (seasonally) pick-your-own peaches, pears, and pumpkins. Apple picking season here generally runs from early August through late October, and features Honeycrisp, Gala, McIntosh, Fuji, Macoun, Snowsweet, Golden Supreme, Jonathan, Golden Delicious, Crimson Crisp, Shizuka, and Cortland apples.
Mt. View Orchards – Mount Hood, Oregon
Just 80 miles east of Portland, Oregon, this 50-acre apple and pear farm situated at the foot of Mt. Hood, has been raising environmentally sustainable fruit for more than four decades. Here, from late August to early November, visitors will find more than 100 kinds of apples, including Gala, Akane, and Honeycrisp varieties, along with homemade items like hard apple cider and apple cider doughnuts. In addition to the apples and such, visitors are encouraged to take a tractor ride around the property, where they can enjoy the impressive view of Mt. Hood.
Johnson Orchards – Yakima, Washington
No list of apple orchards would be complete without one from the state of Washington, which produces more than half of America’s apples. Here at Johnson Orchards, which has been growing apples for over 100 years, visitors will find over 60 acres of apples, along with Bing cherries, Rainier cherries, pluots, apricots, and plums. If you are on the short side – or don’t want to climb up and down ladders – the farm makes apple picking extra easy by providing harnesses and buckets for apple pickers. Be sure to visit the orchard’s bakery where fresh pies and caramels can be purchased.
Hungry yet? 😊
One thing that should be noted is that in any year, the days and times of apple picking can vary, so if you’re planning a visit – especially if you want to plan a trip that includes visiting an orchard – you’ll want to be sure to check the website prior to visiting. Some orchards are not open every day, and some may require tickets or advance reservations. As always, planning ahead is your friend.
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