Ohio fall is Ohio apple season. When we think of Ohio agriculture we often think of corn, wheat and soy beans. But did you know that Ohio is in the top ten states for apple production? Here in the Buckeye State we produce 50 different varieties. How about them apples? (I had to ask.)
Ohio Apple Season – the Website
If you’re looking for a great Ohio apple experience, start your visit with a trip to the ohioapples.com website. Here you’ll find an interactive map of pick-your-own orchards and a little bit about the apple industry in Ohio.
If you have little ones, you can enhance your experience by downloading some apple coloring pages ahead of time. When my girls were little, I always liked to do fun activities like this the week before we would make a trip. Not only did it keep them busy, but it helped them to look forward to the experience.
For cooks and apple aficionados there’s a wealth of information about the humble apple. You can learn the difference between the different varieties. (My favorite for eating is definitely the honey crisp!) There’s also a recipe section that will help you use up all those apples you bring home from the orchard.
Laurelville Fruit Company
While the Laurelville Fruit Company is not a self-pick experience, it’s definitely one to keep on your autumn tour short list. Located in the tiny burg of Laurelville (Hocking County), it’s just under an hour southeast of Columbus.
Laurelville Cider is locally famous. In the past years I’ve seen it in a few supermarkets in the Columbus area, but nothing beats a Saturday drive to get your gallon straight from the source. I have fond memories of making the drive with my parents in the late seventies.
The shop itself is tucked into a large garage on one of Laurelville’s main streets. Inside you’ll find several varieties of apples and a large collection of bald-faced hornets’ nests. The collection, I was told, has grown over the course of 60 years and several generations.
The cider itself, liquid gold as it is, is stored safely in a large walk-in cooler. Anxious for our first taste, we requested a pint in addition to the gallon we wanted for home. They rang us up on one of two antique cash registers. They accept either cash or check.
On the way home, Marina and I shared the pint. The taste was exactly as I’d remembered. It was delicious.
While Laurelville itself may not be a tourist destination, you can easily make a day trip out of your visit. Have a quick lunch at the Village Cafe on Water Street and then plan a day of hiking.
Laurelville sits at a gateway to the Hocking Hills area. If you’re looking for a short hike, you might consider Ash Cave. Cedar Falls, on the other hand, is my absolute favorite hike in the Hocking Hills State Park and Old Mans Cave is probably the most popular. All of these hikes are dog friendly, though I don’t think I would take our dog, Pumpkin, on a hike to Rock House as there are some challenging spots.
Ohio Apple Picking
When the girls were little, we made several trips to the Lynd Fruit Farm. In checking their website, they not only have pick-your-own apples but also pumpkins and berries seasonally. They also have a corn maze on-site with the theme this year of Lyndiana Jones (Marina definitely wants to hit this!).
Years ago, you could drive your vehicle straight into the orchard to pick. While, I don’t know if that is still a thing, I will say the girls loved picking their own apples. And if you’re a picture taking mom like me, it provides an amazing opportunity to get some great shots of your kids.
FindingOhio
There’s something to enjoy in Ohio’s every season, and fall is defiantly my favorite. Take some time to explore the Ohio Apples websites, take a big chug of cider or crunch into a Honey Crisp. Celebrate all there is to see, do and taste in the Buckeye State.
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