Aside from leaf peeping and pumpkin patches, there’s nothing quite like the first bite into a fresh, crisp apple while the leaves are falling and the temperature is dipping outside in North Carolina. But this fall, instead of just grabbing your apples at the local grocery store, why not have a fun fall adventure with your friends or family and pick your own at one of North Carolina’s beautiful orchards or farms? Most feature a host of other activities besides apple picking, so make a day trip out of it and experience all they have to offer and say goodbye to summer!
Sky Top Orchard, Flat Rock
Located in the picturesque mountains of western North Carolina, Sky Top Orchard offers lots of pick-your-own produce, including a variety of apples, peaches, pears and even grapes. You’ll also find pumpkins, gourds and plenty of other fall decorations to take home, as well as fresh apple cider, caramel-covered apples and fresh, made-while-you-watch apple cider doughnuts. If that’s not enough reason for a visit, you can also stock up on homemade jams and jellies, explore a bamboo forest, visit with barnyard animals and watch the bees at work in a working beehive.
The Orchard at Altapass, Spruce Pine
The Orchard at Altapass isn’t just a fun place to visit. It’s also an important part of history. Located atop the Eastern Continental Divide in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the land the orchard sits on is located near two important watersheds and has been a vital travel route since the days of early settlers. In fact, the owners of the land who purchased it in the 1990s have taken special measures to make sure its history is protected from commercial developers. Visitors can learn more about the orchard’s history during a storytelling hayride and then head to the store to purchase a bag for their apples. Once out in the orchard, you can choose from over 25 different varieties of apples and even give a few a taste if you’re not sure which ones to buy. They’ll even supply a picking pole for you to reach the ones at the top!
Carrigan Farms, Mooresville
Family-owned Carrigan Farms in Mooresville is a popular spot for special events and weddings, as well as picking your own produce, including pumpkins and apples, in the fall months. You can also take in an old-fashioned hayride while you’re there and shop the farm’s market that offers apple cider, pumpkins, gourds, greens, mums and local honey.
Devil Dog Orchard, Reidsville
Located in Rockingham County, just off Highway 150, Devil Dog Orchard is a pick-your-own apple orchard that’s convenient to Greensboro, Burlington, and the surrounding areas. This family-owned orchard on the historic A.B. Gilliam property offers a variety of apples including galas, red delicious and golden delicious. Make sure to check their website ahead of time to see if your favorite variety is ripe and ready for picking!
Grandad's Apples N' Such, Hendersonville
Visiting Grandad’s Apples N’ Such is a wholesome, fun family adventure in North Carolina. There are tons to do on the 80-acre family-owned farm located near Asheville, including a five-acre corn maze, visiting the animals in the barnyard corral and visiting the Country Store and Bakery where you can try delectable offerings like apple cider doughnuts, apple ice cream, apple butter and cider slushies, plus lots more. Of course, the main reason to visit is the chance to pick your own apples from the over twenty-five different varieties available. Plus, you can pick out a pumpkin for Halloween on your way out!
Millstone Creek Orchards, Ramseur
If you’re ready to celebrate the arrival of fall, you’ll want to head out to Millstone Creek Orchards for their Apple Orchard Adventure, happening the first two weekends of September. Besides enjoying apples, you’ll have a chance to watch a cider pressing demonstration, take a hayride, listen to live music and sample delicious apple cider doughnuts, apple cider slushies and other fall treats. Make sure to visit the Apple Barn for fresh produce, local products, and tons of baked goods.
Knob Creek Orchards, Lawndale
Family-owned Knob Creek Orchards has been in operation since 1958 and prides themselves on being an environmentally-friendly orchard. Although the pick-your-own apples here are already picked from the tree, you can still bag your own from the bins (even mix and match!), as well as try their apple cider, apple jelly, apple butter and a delicious apple ice cream in a homemade waffle cone. Apple ice cream is not your style? No worries! They always have 12 varieties of homemade ice cream available at their ice cream shop. Make sure to stop by The Porch, too, to shop a variety of jams, jellies, pickles, veggies and honey gathered from hives located throughout the orchard.
