3 Historic Apple Orchards To Celebrate Fall

With the first day of fall beginning today on September 23rd, you might be feeling an extra crispness in the air and a need to appreciate all of the autumnal activities that go with the season. One of the best ways to usher in fall and your sweet tooth might be by visiting an apple orchard. While you can find apple orchards all across the country, these orchards have a whole lot of history on their sides. Throw on your flannel shirt and boots and head for these historic apple orchards in the U.S. to usher in the beginning of fall.

With a name like Weston’s Antique Apple Orchard, you can expect to find history amidst the apple trees. Home to more than 700 trees and over 100 varieties of apples, many of which are only grown at this farm, Weston’s Antique Apple Orchard bears roots in 1935. The Weston family started the orchard at that time and has since preserved many of its original buildings including a Dutch Colonial style barn. While the orchard might have officially begun in 1935, the property has had apple trees since the 19th century. In addition to 16 acres of land, the farm also lends visitors panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and lakes. You can reach Weston’s Antique Apple Orchard quite easily as it sits just outside Milwaukee in New Berlin, Wisconsin.

In operation since 1913, Applecrest Farm boasts being New Hampshire’s oldest and largest apple orchard. The farm also claims the title of being the oldest continuously operated apple orchard in the U.S. Run by four generations of the Wagner family, Applecrest Farm is home to over 40 varieties of apples, peaches, berries, sweet corn, pumpkins and summer vegetables. During the fall, the farm dials up the notch to host Fall Festivals throughout the weekends in September and October. Visitors who attend can expect live music, hayrides and pie eating contests. Applecrest Farm invites guests to not just pick apples but also to sip on natural apple cider underneath the roof of a 200-year-old barn or even try its famous hot cider donuts. Applecrest Farm sits less than an hour outside of Boston and just minutes from historic Portsmouth.

Proudly perched right in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Stribling Orchard finds a home in Markham. Touted as one of America’s oldest orchards, the farm has been in the Stribling family for almost 200 years. Visitors can roam the orchard’s 30 acres of apple trees and even pick what they like. Currently, Stribling Orchard holds 2,500 apple trees. During the fall months, visitors can sample fresh cider at the orchard and even take home a pumpkin. In addition, the site boasts historic buildings from the 1700s and farm animals for the little ones to appreciate.