It's apple season! Here are 10 places near Louisville to go apple picking
Nothing says fall has arrived much like visiting an apple orchard during the heart of harvest season. Many Louisville-area orchards let you pick fruit straight from the tree. If you are not into picking but still want to take part, many also sell freshly picked apples as well as a variety of other fall vegetables, fruits, and more in their markets.
Most orchards offer apples from mid to late August through mid to late October. Here are 10 places in the Louisville area where you can pick or buy apples and other fall fruits and treats.
Applacres
WHAT: The orchard has apples for picking and freshly picked in the market. It also have fresh-squeezed apple cider, hand-dipped caramel apples, fruits, vegetables, preserves, jellies and more. Try the apple shake!
WHERE: 9104 IN-37, Bedford, Indiana
WHEN: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1-6 p.m. Open year-round. Closed major holidays.
MORE INFORMATION: 812-279-9721; applacres.net.
Eckert's Orchard
WHAT: Eckert's Orchard has been growing apples for more than 100 years and seven generations. It offers nine varieties of apples, both freshly picked and pick-your-own. Everything from Red Delicious and Granny Smith to lesser-known varieties such as the Crimson Crisp. The market is stocked with homegrown blackberries, tree-ripened peaches, jalapenos, zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, bi-color sweet corn, watermelon, fresh squeezed apple cider, fresh-made caramel apples and fresh bakery goodies. Also a playground (August through October).
Evening Apple Picking, Sept. 15, 6 p.m.: Enjoy an extra-special evening-picking session, then stick around to enjoy food and drinks from Castle & Key Lily’s Pad Food Truck and Taqueria Darly Taco Truck. Reservation includes tractor ride and field access, 2 pounds of pick-your-own apples, a cup of sweet cider, a cider donut and a bonfire. For ages 21 and older. $25.
WHERE: 1396 Pinkard Pike, Versailles, Kentucky
WHEN: Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through late October, with picking available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Apple picking starts mid-August through October.
MORE INFORMATION: Reservations are available. Admission to the playground for ages 2-13 is $6 (includes pick-your-own field access). The all-day field access pass will allow visitors to enjoy unlimited rides to the picking areas. $3 for adults; $6 for children. 800-745-0513; eckerts.com/versailles.
Evans Orchard Cider Mill
WHAT: Pick-your-own apple season begins in September. There are 14 varieties of apples to choose from including Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Stellar, Razor Russet, Liberty, Cameo Rome and more. It is also pear season and pumpkins are the third week of September.
WHERE: 198 Stone Road, Georgetown, Kentucky
WHEN: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Apples will be ready for picking the second week of September.
MORE INFORMATION: Visit the website for the calendar for picking dates. Picking dates are approximate. Also, visit the Play Area and Barnyard (open Tuesday through Sunday through August), gift store, market, and café. 502-863-2255; evansorchard.com.
Hidden Hollow Orchard & Wildlife Sanctuary
WHAT: Hidden Hollow Orchard offers 30 varieties of apples including heirloom and pick-your-own apples, a picnic area, and assorted rescue horses and youthful ponies who welcome visitors (especially with large yummy carrots or bananas.) The orchard uses the least possible pesticides for Ohio Valley.
WHERE: 3200 Apple Hill Road, Louisville (see website for directions).
WHEN: Open daily at 10 a.m. until everyone leaves and the apples are gone.
MORE INFORMATION: For a list of the varieties of apples with mature dates, go to the website or call 502-767-5245 or or 502-243-4196; hiddenholloworchard.com or email apples@hiddenholloworchard.com.
Huber's Orchard & Winery
WHAT: Take a wagon ride across 700 acres of orchards, vineyards, and fields to handpick seasonal fruits and vegetables. Huber's Orchard offers 15 varieties of apples for pick-your-own and picked including Lodi, Ginger Gold, Jonathan, Gala, Honey Crisp, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Mutzu, Stayman Winesap, Granny Smith, Fuji, Goldrush, and more. Also, apple cider made fresh, vegetables, pumpkins (pick-your-own and picked, September and October), and U-cut Christmas trees (Thanksgiving weekend through Dec. 23).
WHERE: 19816 Huber Road, Starlight, Indiana
WHEN: Apples will be ready around the second week of August. Hours vary during the year.
MORE INFORMATION: The winery produces Bourbon Barrel Blackberry, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Dry Valvin Muscat, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and many more varieties. The distillery also produces bourbon, whiskey, gins, rum and vodka. Huber also has a market and bakery. Call ahead to confirm picking conditions, 812-923-9813. visithubers.com; 812-923-9463, ext. 2.
Louisville-area Farmers Markets
WHAT: Louisville-area farmers markets will have apples already picked, some bagged and ready to go.
WHERE: throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana
WHEN: Most of the markets are open Saturdays and there are several that operate Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout October.
MORE INFORMATION: A full list of farmers market details broken down by county can be found at kyproud.com. A list of Indiana farmers markets can be found at farmersmarketonline.com/fm/Indiana.htm.
McGlasson Farms
WHAT: The roadside farm has been family owned and operated for six generations. From July through November, it offers fresh fruits and vegetables grown on the farm for sale at our roadside stand. There are also several opportunities for pick-your-own produce throughout the year, such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and an apple orchard and pumpkins in the fall.
WHERE: 5832 River Road, Hebron, Kentucky
WHEN: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Upick apples start Sept. 1. U-pick hours may vary.
MORE INFORMATION: 859-689-5229; mcglassonfarms.com.
Mulberry Orchard
WHAT: Mulberry Orchard offers 16 varieties of apples plus vegetables, fruits, raw local honey, jellies, butters, preserves, relish, salsas, apple cider, unique gift items, eggs, beef, chicken, pork, lamb, apple cider, and other local offerings.
WHERE: 1330 Mulberry Pike, Shelbyville, Kentucky
WHEN: Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Apples will be ready for picking in mid-August through October.
MORE INFORMATION: Take a hayride through the orchard, visit the animals, play in the kids' area and shop in the market. Lunch and treats at the Mulberry Kitchen will be served Tuesday through Sunday. 502-655-2633; mulberryorchardky.com.
Pharm Roadside Market
WHAT: Apples (Gala, Ginger Gold, Molly Delicious), vegetables, CBD products and more.
WHERE: 2580 Highway 42, Bedford, Kentucky
WHEN: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Local apples should be stocked by the middle of August.
MORE INFORMATION: 502-255-3607; facebook.com/BrayRoadsideMarket
Reed Valley Orchard/Stepping Stone Farm
WHAT: Featuring more than 40 varieties of apples including Gala, Jonathan, Honeycrisp, Golden and Red Delicious, and Pink Lady. U-pick only at Reed Valley Orchards. Market apples, pears, and blackberries are available at Stepping Stone Farm.
WHERE: Reed Valley Orchard, 239 Lail Lane; Stepping Stone Farm, 1674 Cynthiana Road; both in Paris, Kentucky
WHEN: Upick at Reed is available Monday, Thursday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; market at Stepping Stone Farm, Monday, Thursday-Saturday, 10-6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: The playground is open at Stepping Stone Farm with a corn maze, bean maze, hay ride, corn pit, 10- and 20-foot slides, hay mound, and dirt mountain ($5 admission). 859-658-6060; steppingstonefarmky.com.
Reach News Clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: It's apple season! 10 places near Louisville to go apple picking
