How do you like them apples?
Park Hill Orchard, Easthampton
Photo by Lynne Graves
Hold up! Before you reach for that pumpkin spice latte, can we take a minute to spread some apple-love? Here in Western Massachusetts, we boast about the heirloom varieties under cultivation by our region’s orchardists. The u-pick scene is sweet (or tangy and crisp, depending on your choice), local ciders are brewing, and as if picking your own peck with a mountain view wasn’t enticing enough, we’re sharing our favorite unexpected Western Applechusetts adventures -- just in case you were thinking of skipping straight to the pumpkin patch!
The Royal Frog Ballet’s Surrealist Cabaret
Park Hill Orchard, Easthampton
Let us set the scene for you…rolling hills dappled with heirloom-variety trees surround you, their limbs heavily laden with fruit as golden hour descends. Picture yourself a part of the crowd of excited audience members bundled and booted for a walk through Park Hill Orchard with the Royal Frog Ballet, a collective of performers, movers, storytellers, and makers who come together each fall to create the completely unexpected Surrealist Cabaret. Tickets for this unique experience tend to go fast, so grab yours now! Arrive early before the show to pick-your-own or pose with the sculptures you’ll find nestled amongst the trees.
The Royal Frog Ballet
Photo by Candace Morgan Hope
Amherst Farmer’s Market
Downtown Amherst
There’s nothing like a crisp fall morning spent at the Farmer’s Market shopping stalls stocked with root veggies, colorful mums, and apples of course! The Amherst Farmer’s Market is home to Apex Orchards each Saturday morning until the season’s end in November, and their fruit is just waiting to jump in your market basket along with a freshly-baked apple turnover from the friendly folks across the way at the Bread Euphoria stand. While you’re in Amherst, take a walk up Main Street and pay a visit to Emily Dickinson’s newly restored apple orchard. Did you know the poet’s family had a cider press on the grounds with which they made their own fermented spirits from the apples they cultivated? Make a weekend of it – stay at the historic Lord Jeffrey Inn for a weekend of foliage and fun in #applechusetts.
Atkins Farms Country Market
Photo by Lynne Graves
Atkins Farms Country Market
North Amherst
Bustling markets aren’t your scene? No worries, the quiet side is close by. Drive just a few miles up the road to the North Amherst Mill District, where the renowned Atkins family’s second location stands. Their apple cider donuts are “often imitated, never replicated” so get a half-dozen (or two) of the real deal there. Don’t forget to save room for breakfast or lunch at the new Jake’s at the Mill where they’ll swap “see you later” for “hash a nice day” as they send you out into the vibrant foliage, happy and full.
More apple-cious fun:
P-Y-O
Finding a pick-your-own location is as easy as apple pie on CISA’s (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture) website.
Don’t miss these historic savings on lodging in Amherst!
Save and enjoy the fall in Amherst! Book a room at the Lord Jeffrey Inn online using the promo/corporate code "FALL" to receive a 15% discount on select dates before January 31st, 2019.
CiderDays
Cider enthusiasts can’t miss the 24th Annual Franklin County CiderDays which offers a heaping bushel of apple and cider-related programming and activities from tasting salons to talks and workshops.