One of the best things about the fall in North Carolina is being able to go to the apple orchard. Living where we live in Western North Carolina is ideal for easy access to a multitude of orchards and Chris and I ventured to one in Flat Rock last week.
Sky Top Orchard is located on Pinnacle Mountain Road but the GPS won’t get you there if you use that address. Best way to get there is to put 3403 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, North Carolina into your GPS and then follow the Sky Top Orchard signs. Funny how sometimes GPS just can’t do the job, right?
We tried to go during the week when we hoped it would not be crowded. We arrived early in the morning soon after they opened, Unfortunately there were masses of kids and parents there as part of several school groups but we managed to avoid them for the most part.
It seems like every orchard these days has to have a variety of activities to keep families coming back. This one was no different. There was a an area that had some kid friendly structures, playground and photo cut outs. There are also hay-less hay rides on wagons to help those with allergies, a pond, an apple cannon that shoots across a pond, as well as an animal area.
Chris and I specifically wanted apple cider donuts and these babies were in demand. They were bought up as soon as they came out of the fryer so the ones we ate were only minutes old. Fresh, fresh, fresh. Add a cup of frosty apple slushy and it is an apple lover’s dream.
We decided to just get apples that were already picked as the ones that were ready to be picked in the orchard were not the varieties we wanted. I wanted some to make applesauce so we opted to just pick apples from the bins that were inside the huge store area.
Of course they have all kinds of great apple products in the store you can buy as well. It is a great place to find some great products like jams , jellies, salsas and more. Sky Top has no admission fee and no parking fee which is a nice thing especially for families who want a fun activity.
The orchard is open daily 9 am to 6 pm (or 5 pm when Daylight Savings Time ends) and is open through early December. Check out their website for complete information and tips as to when to visit and more guidelines about visiting.
Have you been to an apple orchard yet this year? I would love to hear all about it in the comments. Remember that each comment this month means a 50 cent donation to our Comments for a Cause – In the Pink. Click on the link to read more.
17 Comments
Leave a commentOn Friday, we stopped at Barber Orchard Fruit Stand in Waynesville. We were heading home after being to Utah and Texas. The baked goods are great and we purchased several things. One was a loaf of apple bread that we never got to try. I left to go see my dad yesterday, and our dog got the bread off the counter and ate the top half of the loaf 😡. Luckily, it didn’t make her sick.
Oh Sandy–I am so glad your dog didn’t get sick but I had to laugh thinking about it. Chris had a dog that was notorious for eating entire loaves of bread, wrapper and all, from the counter. I bet Waynesville has some great orchard stands as well. Sounds like you had a nice trip –so glad you were able to go!
Looks like a fun afternoon with great food finds! The orchards looked busy this weekend. I’m almost through my pile of apples and need some more.
It was a fun morning for sure and one that we are glad we were able to do before the weather got too rainy or cold. The weekends around here are crazy busy so we try to do things during the week if at all possible.
What fun! With cider AND apple cider doughnuts, I’d call that a great outing. 🙂
It was a great outing. I got all my applesauce made and am ready to go get some more to make more!
No apple orchards here but lots of lemon and orange groves.Did you find any apple tea? I had some the other day and it was so good. A fun place to visit!
I did not see any apple tea but I might have missed it. I may have one in my blooming tea box so that will be the next one up to brew.
Enjoy!!
What a great orchard. So fun to visit. And I’m with you on the apple cider donuts. A must. I’ve hesitated to visit an orchard this fall because of crowds. Glad you were able to avoid them for the most part.
It really is a nice orchard. I had friends that raved about this one last year but we never made it. Going during the week seems to be the best idea around here -the weekend crowds are pretty large and it is hard to socially distance with a bunch of little ones running around.
What a great fall day trip! Looks like a great place to get anything apple.
It was a great trip and a nice break to get out of the house.
I LOVE apple cider donuts and would love to be able to go apple picking one of these days. Hope we get to see the finished apple sauce when you make it. 🙂
It’s all vacuumed sealed and in the freezer! Now I want to get more to make!
We probably passed each other! I was there with my granddaughter on Monday, the 28th. She loved walking up and down the hills and picking her own apples. While I, only 2 weeks after surgery, was not so thrilled. But a great time and will go back. Loved the apple slushy and donuts.
I bet we did! I saw that you went -it’s such a nice orchard and you definitely should go back when you are not recovering from surgery! Maybe next fall we could actually meet! Now wouldn’t that be something?