It's that time of year again: temperatures drop, the leaves change from green to orange and red, and you can finally take out those sweaters from the back of your closet. Fall is in the air! We may be biased, but our favorite part of the changing season is the delicious red, green, and yellow fruits that have been ripening all summer - apples! Check out a whole host of apple-related activities you can get up to this fall to really make the most of the season. There is nothing like Vermont apple season.
1. Pick Your Own Vermont Apples
The classic apple activity, head to your favorite orchard or check out a new one. Click here for a list of pick your own orchards. Many also serve fresh apple cider, cider donuts, and more! Some classic varieties for eating are Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Paula Red, and Gala. Or try a lesser-known variety. Have you heard of Nova Spy?
While you're out visiting orchards, enter the Vermont Apple Photo Contest! During the month of September until October 7th, take your best apple orchard photo and post it to Instagram with the hashtag #eatvtapples. Make sure to follow @diginvt and @vermontapples to participate.
2. Cider Donuts
One of the most delicious fall treats is a cider donut served with a fresh glass of apple cider. Whether you prefer them plain or sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, they're a must on the autumn bucket list. Feeling more creative? Try a "Dreamee" from Yates Family Orchard. It's a hot, freshly made cider donut with a maple creemee on top!
We also have a great Vermont cider donut trail to check out for when you're craving that sweet treat. With nine different options to choose from, you're sure to find a sweet one.
3. (Hard) Apple Cider
Many Vermont orchards sell cold pressed cider that comes right from their apple harvest! We know it's easy to pick up a jug at the store, but we promise that the fresh local stuff is so. much. better. We also have many hard cidermakers in the state Check out our Vermont Cider Trail and start sipping. If you prefer distilled beverages, be sure to check out the apple brandy from Mad River Distillers (Mad Apple brandy) and Shelburne Orchards (Dead Bird Apple Brandy).
4. Apple Festivities
There are so many harvest festivals around Vermont during this time of year - like a party for produce! From eating and drinking to live music, artisanal items, and even hay rides, you're sure to find fun at these events. Here's some of the festivals happening this season:
- Aug 31 - Harvest Festival | Wellwood Orchards
- Sept 14 - Harvest Festival | Marck Forest & Farmland Center
- Sept 15 - Shoreham Apple Fest
- Sept 15 - ACORN's Tour de Farms
- Sept 20-21 - Vermont Wine & Harvest Festival | Mount Snow
- Sept 21-22 - Chester Festival on the Green
- Sept 28 - Bristol Harvest Festival
- Oct 12 - Vermont Apple Festival & Craft Show | Springfield
- Oct 12-13 - Harvest Celebration | Billings Farm & Museum
- Oct 12-13 - Woodstock Apples and Crafts Fair and Food Truck Festival
- Oct 13 - Heirloom Apple Day | Scott Farm
5. Let's bake a pie!
What better to do with those extra apples from picking than...bake an apple pie! Local orchards grow apples not just for eating - they also grow the kinds best for baking. Look for Cortland, Ginger Gold, Golden Delicious, Northern Spy, Zestar, among other varieties.
Ready to get baking? Check out this apple crisp recipe from the Vermont Country Store or Shelburne Orchard's Apple Pie. Or, Vermont Maple Syrup has a vegan and gluten free apple tart! Not much of a baker? That's okay! You can also try making these no-bake apple cinnamon oat bars from Sunrise Orchards.
6. #EatVTApples Photo Contest
Make sure to check out our Vermont Apple Photo Contest if you haven't. It's running all of September and until October 7th. All you have to do to enter is follow @diginvt and @vermontapples, and post your favorite apple orchard photo from the season with the hashtag #eatvtapples! Make sure to mention what orchard you took it at! Winners will receive a generous gift card that can be used at several orchards across the state. For more information, check out our 2024 Vermont Apple Photo Contest page.
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