There’s an autumn crisp in the air, which means it’s time for another kind of crisp – apple. And apple pies, apple cider, apple donuts, apple butter, apple cobbler… yum. 🙌
So with apple season in its prime, try spending a Saturday picking apples at these seven regional mountain orchards to satisfy all your fall cravings. Bonus: You can also pick up your pumpkins at many orchards, and late October/early November is the perfect time for a road trip to see the fall colors. (Here’s a guide on where to go.)
Photo at Skytop Orchard by @cooper_the_charleston_golden
🍎Sky Top Orchard |📍1193 Pinnacle Mountain Rd., Flat Rock | ⏰ Mon–Sun: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pick between 22 varieties of apples as you spend your day walking around the orchard, visiting the farm, exploring the bamboo forest + enjoying their famous apple cider doughnuts. And if you want to make a day of it, hang out in Flat Rock and check out places such as the Carl Sandburg house or Flat Rock Village Bakery. Pro tip: Use 3403 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock when putting into the GPS.
Photo at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard via @itsannstagram
🍎Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard |📍170 Stepp Orchard Dr., Hendersonville | ⏰ Mon–Thurs: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Fri–Sat: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
With 21 different apple varieties, pick between ¼ peck or bushel of fresh apples (or buy pre-picked apples). There’s free admission to the farm + dogs are welcomed so stay and enjoy a picnic after picking. Bonus: Pick your own pumpkin patch is now open.
Photo at Coston Farm via @melodyjoy1983
🍎Coston Farm |📍3748 Chimney Rock Rd., Hendersonville | ⏰ Mon–Sat: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pick your own apples or buy your pre-picked locally grown apples, pumpkins, gourds, hay, indian corn + more. Visit the bakery for all your apple goodies (apple breads, cookies, apple pies) or the gift shop for additional fall treats + souvenirs.
Photo at Grandad’s Apples via @peytonjohnsonillian
🍎Grandad’s Apples |📍2951 Chimney Rock Rd., Hendersonville | ⏰ Mon–Sun: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
With over 20 varieties of apples, pick your own or buy pre-picked fresh apples. Visit the Country Store and Bakery at Grandad’s Barn to buy extra produce and homemade goodies (apple cider doughnuts, apple ice cream + more). But before you leave, stop by the 5-acre pumpkin patch and take your pick between baby pumpkins and extra large ones to decorate, bake, or carve.
Edit: Sad news, Grandad’s is out of you-pick apples but are still open + have apples to buy that are pre-picked.
Photo at Lydia Farms via @kitty_tripp
🍎Lyda Farms |📍3465 Chimney Rock Rd., Hendersonville | ⏰ Mon–Sun: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Over 15+ varieties to choose from, spend the day picking apples or pumpkins and stick around to check out other produce (jams, butter, veggies, winter squash + more) at this 5th generation family farm.
Photo at Justus Orchard via @lidanphotography
🍎Justus Orchard |📍187 Garren Rd., Hendersonville | ⏰ Mon–Sun: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Choose between U Pick or We Pick apples, blackberries + pumpkins. Spend the day exploring the orchard’s 18+ apple varieties, taking a ride on the Cow Train, visiting the Apple House for jams, or stopping by the bakery for homemade goodies (fried apple pies, apple cider donuts, apple cider, apple bread + more).
Photo at The Orchard at Altapass via @jonathansmithphotos
🍎The Orchard at Altapass |📍1025 Orchard Rd., Spruce Pine | ⏰ Wed–Sun: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More than just an orchard, this historic location on the crest of the Blue Ridge Parkway atop the Eastern Continental divide has been a prime travel route for centuries. Today this 501(c)3 Non-profit works to preserve history + protect the land while still sharing its apples. Protip: Even though there are not apples to pick this season, you can find Jonagold, Stamen Winesap + Gold apples for purchase in the Orchard Store.
