Does the change of seasons have you itching to get out there and enjoy some crisp fall air? Plan a day trip with the kids or a fun date to these nearby orchards. But don’t stop there! Put our tips to good use and discover nearby places to sip, dine and explore.
Please note: The summer drought will shorten apple picking season. Call before you go!
Sky Top Orchards
1193 Pinnacle Mountain Rd. Zirconia, NC 28731
Take the quick 90 minute drive up to Skytop Orchards for a true North Carolina fall experience. Take their advice and arrive early, it will be like you have the mountain all to yourself. Between the views, famous apple cider donuts and apple cider, farmer’s stand and petting zoo, a visit to Skytop is a full day of fall favorites. And thanks to their easy downloadable map, you can even plan which types of apples will be ready for you when you visit.
Make a day of it:
Explore nearby Flat Rock with its kid-friendly finds:
- Flat Rock Cinema
- Flat Rock Playhouse
- Carl Sandburg Home Historic Site.
Or, if you’re grown persons only, here for a day date,
- Shop Little Rainbow Row
- Wander through The Studios at Flat Rock
- Try dinner at Season’s at Highland Lake
- Top off the day with a sweet treat from Flat Rock Village Bakery
Coston Farm and Apple House
3748 Chimney Rock Rd. Hendersonville, NC 28792
The Coston family has been managing their property, which includes a U-pick orchard, country store, fresh produce and pumpkins, bakery and gift shop for over 30 years. Once you’ve picked all you can pick, visit their website for recipes for all those apples!
Stepp Farm’s Hillcrest Orchard
170 Stepp Orchard Dr. Hendersonville, NC 28792
There’s plenty to do at Stepp Farm’s Orchard: hop on a group educational farm tour, take a wagon ride, pick your own apples and more. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, make your way to their Country Market to shop their fresh selection of gifts and treats, including apple cider and apple butter. Pack a picnic for a scenic lunch.
Make a day of it:
Venture into Hendersonville, where the kids will love:
- Elijah Mountain Gem Mine
- The Western North Carolina Aviation Museum.
If you’re with the girls or a date, try:
- A wine tour by trolley, or
- Needful Things Antique Mall.
In Asheville, soak up the colorful views and good eats at:
- Blue Ridge Parkway, or
- A tour of the Biltmore Estate
- Wicked Weed Brewing.
Historic Orchard at Altapass
1025 Orchard Rd. Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Make a pit stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway to pick apples by the peck or half peck (say that five times fast) at the Historic Orchard at Altapass. This Orchard has a ton of history, dating back over 100 years, trails, programs and plenty of apples. Once you’re done picking, stick around for one of their live music shows offered on the weekends. Keep up with their website for a full list of events and to see which types of apples are ripe for picking.
Apple Hill Orchard
2075 Pleasant Hill Ave. Morganton, NC 28655
Back in 1955, Apple Hill Orchard started growing apples just south of Morganton. Since then, the PreÂwitt family has seen it grow to include a cider mill, a counÂtry store, you pick apples, eduÂcaÂtional and group tours, and even a bakÂery. The beautiful orchards are best viewed from one of their Saturday Wagon Tours, which start at 10:30 am and run every 15 minutes. Be sure to view what’s in season with their Harvest Calendar before your trip. Apple Hill produces several 600 gallon batches of cider each year, and its country store and bakery are filled to the brim with fresh apple treats.
Make a day of it:
Take advantage of the beautiful scenery and nearby wineries with:
- A hike to nearby Linville Falls
- Linville Falls Winery
- Fonta Flora Brewery
- Silver Fork Winery
For the kids, adventure over to
- The Museum of North Carolina Minerals
- Spruce Pine Gem Mine.
