Fall is one of my favorite seasons for so many reasons. I love to watch the leaves turn gorgeous colors. I love to wear soft snugly sweaters in the crisp, but not yet cold air. I love apple pies. But most of all, I have come to love and look forward to my family's annual pilgrimage to The Applewood Orchard and Winery in Warwick, NY, for apple and pumpkin picking, wine tasting, music, apple cider donuts, Apple Dave and you guessed it, a picnic.
This will be my family's 4th annual outing to Applewood and we have come to love the orchard.
So here are our tips and suggestions, compiled over the past three years:
1. Picnic: Pack your cooler with snacks, beverages and lunch. There are plenty of picnic tables at the orchard, but my suggestion is to arrive early and set up your space. You can leave your stuff at the picnic table all day while you head into the orchard or go wine tasting.
Mommy Note: For those of you following my blog, you already know that I am obsessed with packing your own food wherever you go. I personally think its a great way to: (a) save money (b) save time (c) always ensure that you have you and your childrens' fave snacks on hand and (d) make an ordinary day special. There's something about picnics that just makes me smile.
2. Photo Op: Take a picture of your child/children in front of the Applewood Winery - "How Tall This Fall?" sign. See Giuliana in front of the sign in 2006, 2007 and 2008. (Scrapbook gold! Now, only if I could bring myself to actually scrapbook.)
3. Wine Tasting: Pay the $5-$7 bucks for wine tasting in the small, but cute winery on the premises. Delicious, refreshing wine that are all available for purchase. You can bring some of fall home with you in a bottle!
4. Sugar Loaf Fall Festival: For an extra bonus, you can visit the orchard on Columbus Day Weekend, which coincides with the Sugar Loaf Fall Festival. Sugar Loaf is a small arts and crafts village that you must drive through to get to the orchard--it is totally adorable and has a ton of really cute shops full of unique things!
5. Bring a Wagon: We take our Radio Flyer with us every year and load it up with kids, apples and pumpkins. It is so convenient! If you don't have one, invest in one--it will save you hundreds of dollars on chiropractors!
6. Boots: If it is raining or has rained within a few days of your visit, chances are the orchard will be muddy, so leave your Christian Loubitans at home and pack some boots or old sneakers.
7. Baby Wipes/Hand Sanitizer: While the Port-o-Pottys are plentiful, they are far from clean. Bring your own baby wipes, hand sanitizer, seat covers--whatever you may need to make your potty experience a little bit cleaner and neater.
Mommy Note: There are tons of apple orchards at our fingertips here in NY and while I personally can't attest to any of the following, you should check them out, pick one, and start your own family tradition.
www.weedorchards.com
www.maskers.com
www.outhouseorchards.info
www.wilkensfarm.com
Happy Apple Picking!
Ang, these apple orchard tips are awesome even for people without kids!
ReplyDeletep.s. Look at how big Gi is getting!! Such a cutie patootie! I think she's about, oh, half a foot away from being as tall as I am? haha. Love to your whole fam! xoxo