Best Places For Apple Picking Near Atlanta
Apple picking in this part of the country will generally kick off in late July and run through the end of October. Georgia has the perfect climate for a huge range of delicious apples, and the counties north of Atlanta have a second-to-none array of beautiful orchards where you can pick your own apples for eating, cooking and canning recipes. Apple pie, apple sauce, cobbler – all are delicious fresh or frozen to enjoy later. Apples can even be frozen in slices, or can your apple pie filling for pouring into a pastry for instant apple pie.
Mercier Orchards
8860 Blue Ridge Drive
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
(706) 632-3411
www.mercier-orchards.com
This fourth-generation family-owned orchard is one of the top tourist attractions in the state and it is a great day out for the whole family. Fruit picking, fried pies, a deli and a bakery are just four of the delicious reasons to make a stop at Mercier. A full events calendar can also be found on its website, where there's a huge variety of activities, from cooking to picking and fishing to kite flying. Mercier also offers an online ordering service with shipping, so you could even treat out-of-town family to some Georgia goodness.
B.J. Reece Orchards
9131 Highway 52 E.
Ellijay, GA 30536
(706) 276-3048
www.reeceorchards.com
Another family-owned farm, this one boasts the fun of an apple cannon for the sharp shooter in your family. In addition to pick-your-own and pre-picked fruit, you can also enjoy farm tours and all of the delights of a petting zoo with fainting goats. U-pick runs from September 1 to October 31, but be sure to check the website for annual opening dates and daily times. Families can pick up a delicious treat from the bakery and enjoy a seasonal wagon ride around the orchards.
Hillcrest Orchards
9696 Highway 52 E.
Ellijay, GA 30536
(706) 273-3838
www.hillcrestorchards.net
Only 1.5 hours from downtown Atlanta, Hillcrest Orchards is a great day out. The bakery and farm market means you can stock your pantry with more than just apples, and the petting farm is sure to keep the kids entertained for hours. The Apple Pickin' Jubilee is a not-to-miss event, held on September 6 and every weekend through October. Enjoy pig racing, cow milking and giant jumping pillows in an action-packed day.
Red Apple Barn
3379 Tailscreek Road
Ellijay, GA 30540
(706) 635-5898
www.redapplebarn.com
U-Pick apples begin here over Labor Day weekend, with apples, pumpkins and corn available. The Red Apple Barn farm store is packed with delicious treats such as jams, jellies, muscadine wine and cider, not to mention candles and handmade soaps. This family owned and run farm was established in 1971 and proudly calls itself 'A North Georgia Tradition.'
R&A Orchards
5505 Highway 52 E.
Ellijay, GA 30536
(706) 273-3821
www.randaorchards.com
R&A Orchards is open for u-pick apples and farm tours weekends throughout September. Delicious apple-related products can be bought in the store or online, such as apple butter, dried apples and cider. Other fresh seasonal produce is available at its roadside store, such as half white runner beans, cantaloupes, watermelons, squash, tomatoes and other produce throughout the year.
Related: Atlanta Late Summer Produce Guide
Katy Light is an avid home cook. She loves nothing more than using home grown and harvested produce, milk from her own goats and naturally raised meat in her recipes. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
