There’s an autumn crisp in the air (even during this recent spell of warm weather) which means it’s time for another kind of crisp: apples. And apple pies, apple cider, apple brews, apple donuts, applesauce, apple cobbler… yum. 🙌
With apple season in its prime, roadtrip to these 7 N.C. apple orchards to satisfy all your Fall cravings. Bonus: You’ll also get to witness Fall foliage in its prime. More on prime times to go leaf-peeping next week.
🍎 Coston Farm
📍3748 Chimney Rock Rd., Hendersonville, N.C.
⏰Monday–Saturday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
🛣 2 hr from Cola
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.
🍎 Sky Top Orchard
📍1193 Pinnacle Mountain Rd., Flat Rock, N.C.
⏰Monday–Sunday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
🛣2 hr from Cola
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. Afterward, hang out in Flat Rock and check out places such as the Carl Sandburg Home or Flat Rock Village Bakery. ProTip: Use 3403 Greenville Hwy. Flat Rock, N.C. when putting into GPS.
Sky Top Orchard | Photo by @tiwaritribe
🍎 Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard
📍170 Stepp Orchard Dr., Hendersonville, N.C.
⏰Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Friday–Saturday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
🛣 2 hr from Cola
With 21 different apple varieties, pick between ¼ peck or bushel of fresh apples (or buy pre-picked apples). Admission to the farm is free, and dogs are welcomed – so stay and enjoy a picnic after picking.
Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard | Photo by @explore_my_stories
🍎 Coston Farm
📍3748 Chimney Rock Rd., Hendersonville, N.C.
⏰Monday–Saturday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
🛣 2 hr from Cola
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.
Coston Farm | Photo by @melodyjoy1983
🍎 Grandad’s Apples
📍2951 Chimney Rock Rd., Hendersonville, N.C.
⏰Monday–Sunday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
🛣 2 hr from Cola
With 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.
Grandad’s Apples | Photo by @everyday_adventurers
🍎 Lyda Farms
📍3465 Chimney Rock Rd., Hendersonville, N.C.
⏰ Monday–Sunday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
🛣 2 hr from Cola
With 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 fifth-generation family farm.
Lyda Farms | Photo by @kitty_tripp
🍎 Justus Orchard
📍187 Garren Rd., Hendersonville, N.C.
⏰ Monday–Sunday: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
🛣 2 hr from Cola
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).
Justus Orchard | Photo by @lidanphotography
🍎 The Orchard at Altapass
📍1025 Orchard Rd., Spruce Pine, N.C.
⏰Wednesday–Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
🛣 3 hr from Cola
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 nonprofit works to preserve history + protect the land while still sharing its apples with visitors. ProTip: Even though there are not apples to pick this season, you can find Jonagold, Stayman Winesap + Gold apples for purchase at the Orchard Store.
The Orchard at Altapass | Photo by @lizziefitzgerald
An N.C. road trip for apple-picking is the top activity on my fall to-do list this year – now that I’ve already hit up a local pumpkin patch. See our list of where to grab your gourd.
Have you been to any of these orchards + farms, and if so, which one do you recommend? Have a go-to spot not on the list? Comment on the article and let us know.
(Not into U-Pick? Have Lowes Foods pick, core, skin, slice, whatever your apples at their Pick & Prep station.)
And remember, tag us in your photos on Instagram, Facebook + Twitter during all your apple picking Fall fun. 🍎
