Apple Orchards and Fall Fun
BJ Reece Orchards
Take a day trip to the North Georgia mountains for apple picking and fall family experiences. Highway 52 near Ellijay is sometimes called Apple Orchard Alley for the many apple orchards available to the public, and the mountains host plenty of other daytime excursions. Here are some places to visit. BY GRANT MERKEL
Hillcrest Orchards
This orchard in the North Georgia mountains has a bakery, market, tractor tours and a petting farm, not to mention many more children’s activities. The orchard features both you-pick options and apples already bagged in the market. www.hillcrestorchards.net
BJ Reece Orchards
R&A Orchards
At this orchard west of Ellijay, you can find 18 different kinds of apples for sale as well as preserves and cider. Group farm tours are available, too. www.randaorchards.com
RACHEL GRINER
Pick your own apples at this large orchard in Ellijay or buy them in the adjacent store. BJ Reece also has many things to do for the kids such as a petting zoo and apple cannons. Hit the store for fresh apple cider, fried pies, fresh vegetables and other treats. www.reeceorchards.com
Mercier Orchards
This family-owned orchard in Blue Ridge has a gift shop, lunch counter, tractor rides and great apple pies. You can either buy or pick the fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and apples that are available according to the season. www.mercier-orchards.com
Burt’s Pumpkin Farm
At Burt’s, you can get the perfect pumpkin, enjoy a hay ride through the fields or get pies, produce, decorative gourds and many more items at the country store. www.burtsfarm.com On Oct. 9-10 and Oct. 16-17, enjoy fun festivities at the Georgia Apple Festival where you can see more than 300 vendors with handmade, handcrafted items, on-site demonstrations and plenty of apple-themed food. www.georgiaapplefestival.org
SCOTT WHITE
Georgia Apple Festival
Georgia Apple Festival FALL 2021
25
