The Joy of Apple (and this year PEAR!) Day

I am someone who craves the changing of each season. When it’s been too hot for awhile, I look forward to the chill that creeps in. If it has been freezing cold with already four or more snow storms, I’m ready for the warmth of spring and the beauty of the flowers blooming. My favorite transition though is to Fall. Basically from September until the end of the year, I feel the most joyful. Although the first day of the season is in late September, I celebrate from the beginning of the month.

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My favorite fall day is Apple Day. For the 4th year in a row, my friends and I visited an orchard in upstate NY and it was a day that made me feel like a little kid again. Read below on how to create the most perfect (in my opinion) Apple Day for yourself.

This year, due to being overly scheduled during October, I moved Apple Day to September 11th (the only Saturday that I wasn’t working or visiting friends/family). This year the group included my friends Anita and Megan (who both live in NY and are Apple Day regulars – Megan hasn’t missed a single one and Anita has only missed one), Laura (who visited from VA and experienced her first Apple Day this year), and my younger sister Beth (who traveled in from PA for the weekend for her second time experiencing the tradition). We met at Grand Central Terminal to grab a coffee at the Doughnut Plant before we rode the Metro North about an hour and half upstate to Croton Falls. When we got off the stop, we took the shuttle to the orchard (it’s only $5 per person and so much easier than calling a Lyft/Uber since they aren’t as reliable in the area). Somewhat out of laziness and not wanting to search for another option, but also because I love the orchard, we always go to Outhouse Orchards. The farm has a weird name but it is a beautiful location.

When we arrived, we were hungry so we got the wood fired pizza. We purchased sodas and ordered a regular cheese pizza as well as their special pie that had pesto on it. As we ate, we made our game plan for the day. Since we were so early in the year, some of the usual offerings were different from the previous year – the market had fewer offerings, there were less food vendors, the choices of what to pick were different, and the corn maze wasn’t open yet. Even with those changes, we were able to have an awesome day.

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First, we all rode the hay ride. It’s a funny “hay ride” because there really wasn’t any hay in the seating area which was perfect for me if I’m honest since those can be so scratchy. I love going on the ride for several reasons – 1. It’s relaxing 2. You get a gorgeous view of the orchard as well as the surrounding areas and 3. You can stake out where you want to focus your fruit picking efforts.

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After the hay ride, we started our fruit picking. When we purchased the entry to the hay ride we also bought their large bag to collect the fruit in which cost $45 (so about $9 per person). This year, since we were so early in the season, we were also able to pick pears. Rather quickly we were able to fill the bag full of Gala, Cortland, and Mackintosh apples and Bosc pears. The bag was very heavy, so we all had to take turns carrying the bag back to the picnic tables.

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At the picnic tables, we split up the fruit amongst ourselves. We each got about 11 apples and 6 pears to take home to enjoy which is such an incredible deal! My favorite purchase of the day was definitely the apple cider donuts. They are warm, sweet, and the apple cider flavor is so comforting. I got enough for us each to have one there and then an extra to bring home to enjoy. The final activity we did before heading back to Manhattan was walk through the market where they sell fresh produce, canned salsa, jams, and jellies, and seasonal baking kits. I bought apple butter and apple salsa made from the apples grown at the orchard.

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At 2:45pm, we called for the shuttle to pick us up. As we waited, we were greeted by the cutest little puppies – one of which was up for adoption. It was very difficult to not go ahead and take it home with us! At 3:16, we hopped on the Metro North train back to Manhattan with all of us feeling a bit tired but happy with the day.

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Without fail, I always think Apple Day is the best day and way to start the Fall Season. The trip upstate and back is beautiful as the leaves are changing the further north we get and I love the fun conversations as my friends get to know each other. The air at the orchard feels fresh and clean and even though we went pretty early this year, there was still a slight chill in the air. Everywhere we look, the views are gorgeous as the hills roll out into the distance and the colors on the farm are bursting as the fruit is maturing. I know that the tradition to go to the apple orchard is not a unique one (my instagram is covered with photos of family and friends at the orchard), but I wonder how many people look forward to it the way I do. Every year I get very excited about it and almost immediately plan for the next year the day after my friends and I go.

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What is your favorite season? Do you have any specific traditions that you like to keep with your friends and family during that time of year? Let me know!