Apples, Autumn, and a Barn Full of Memories

Travel

Audio By Carbonatix

There’s something about the end of September and the early blush of October that makes apple picking feel like the perfect American tradition. The heat of summer has finally broken, the evenings come sooner, and the trees are heavy with fruit. For my family, that means a trip north to Warwick, New York—Pennings Farm, to be exact.

We made our annual pilgrimage today under a flawless 72-degree sky. The rows were bursting with Cortland and Empire apples, the two varieties that filled our bags the fastest. My 15-year-old had a mission of his own: one apple from every tree. A personal tasting tour, crisp and sweet, tart and tangy, until he declared himself full—though somehow he never quite is.

But truth be told, the real magic happens once the bags are heavy and we head to Pennings’ legendary barn. Imagine dozens of cider options lined up like trophies—hard and soft, dry and sweet. Add in seasonal cocktails like a Bourbon Punch or a Lavender Gin Lemonade, and suddenly apple picking feels like a celebration.

And then comes the food. Stone-oven pizzas are always on offer—pepperoni, plain cheese, or a Quattro with four cheeses—but the showstopper this year was the Green Apple and Gouda pie. Thin slices of apple paired with sharp cheese, prosciutto, red onion, and fresh arugula. Sweet, smoky, tangy, and crisp all in one bite. Out on the lawn, the featured food truck from Luc’s was serving grilled Spanish octopus, smoky elote, tacos, quesadillas, and nachos. Spread a blanket, sip your cider, and finish with warm apple cider donuts—you’ve turned a simple orchard day into a farm-to-table feast.

As we left, the soundstage was being set for a concert by The Mugshots, proof that the fun was only beginning. Warwick in autumn is more than apple picking. It’s a full-day getaway that satisfies kids, adults, and anyone who loves food, drink, and music.

But this isn’t just a Northeast thing. Across America, apple orchards become playgrounds and memory-makers as fall rolls in. Here are ten of the most unique apple-picking spots nationwide—each one a day trip worth the drive:

Top 10 Unique Apple Picking Destinations in America

1. Apple Hill (Placerville, California) – Over 50 orchards in one region, plus wineries and pumpkin patches. Perfect for families who want variety in a single stop.
2. Sky Top Orchard (Flat Rock, North Carolina) – High-altitude breezes and panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains make every apple taste sweeter.
3. Linvilla Orchards (Media, Pennsylvania) – A classic just outside Philadelphia, offering festivals, hayrides, and a farm market that feels like a carnival.
4. Carter Mountain Orchard (Charlottesville, Virginia) – Overlooks Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello; visitors pick apples while enjoying hard cider on the mountaintop.
5. Alyson’s Orchard (Walpole, New Hampshire) – A 450-acre working farm with lakeside views, perfect for combining apple picking with a fall picnic.
6. Blake’s Township (South Lyon, Michigan) – Known for its award-winning cider and donuts, plus a sprawling corn maze that turns apple picking into an adventure.
7. Kiyokawa Family Orchards (Parkdale, Oregon) – With Mount Hood as a backdrop, this orchard grows over 120 apple varieties, making it a dream for collectors and tasters.
8. Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards (LaFayette, New York) – Celebrated for craft spirits and cider, it’s as much a distillery as it is a pick-your-own orchard.
9. Finnriver Orchard (Chimacum, Washington) – A cidery and orchard on the Olympic Peninsula, blending sustainability with incredible farm-to-glass cider experiences.
10. Jenkins & Lueken Orchards (New Paltz, New York) – Family-run for over 60 years, with stunning Hudson Valley views and a bakery that rivals the apples themselves.

Whether you’re on the Hudson Valley hillsides or standing under the shade of the Rockies, apple picking is about more than filling a bag. It’s about time spent together, a moment to step away from screens and schedules, and a reminder that simple traditions can be the most rewarding.

This fall, grab a basket, find an orchard near you, and savor the season.