The United States’ first apple orchard was planted in 1625 near Boston’s Beacon Hill, and taking a trip to the orchard for apple picking has since become synonymous with autumn–and considering we’re already in the thick of fall ’tis the season for some Fujis and Honeycrisps! The U.S. Apple Association has reported that today there are more than 25,000 growers producing apples across all 50 states, and lucky for us the #1 apple farm in the country is here in New York!
USA Today had their panel of experts select apple orchards from all over the country, and they were then voted by readers to find the ten best. And coming in at #1 is Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards, located in LaFayette, New York.
The family-owned orchard has been growing apples for 100+ years since onion farmer George Skiff and dairy farmer Andrew Beak came together in 1911 to plant apples on the hillside area along Route 20. In 1975 they opened a pick your own orchard on what has become known as Apple Hill, and a few years later in 1979 they converted an old dairy barn into the Apple Hill Country Store and bake shop where they began making apple cider.
Now in their fifth generation, they continue to make advancements and improvements in and around the orchard, planting almost 15,000 new trees and renovating their Apple Hill Campus in 2013. And each spring they bring in over 400 hives of bees to help pollinate their crop, so you just know their trees are happy!
Today, Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards has 15+ rotating varieties of apple trees producing bushels of Honeycrisps, Fujis, Galas, Ginger Golds, Ida Reds, and many more during their pick-your-own season, which typically runs from late August through late October. The ripeness and readiness of the crop is highly dependent on the weather, however, therefore they encourage you to check their picking schedule for daily updates.
Beyond their apple orchards the campus is also home to a general store–selling fresh or hard cider, their famous homemade fudge, cold brew coffee, CBD, local art, and more–tasting room and tavern, distillery, bakery, and playground. Those looking for the most wholesome autumn experience can even choose to spend a little weekend getaway there and be a guest at The Houses at Beak & Skiff.
The top ten best apple farms in the country are as follows:
1. Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards – LaFayette, New York
2. Libby & Son U-Picks – Limerick, Maine
3. Mercier Orchards – Blue Ridge, Georgia
4. Sky Top Orchard – Flat Rock, North Carolina
5. Knaebe’s Apple Farm – Rogers City, Michigan
6. Milburn Orchards – Elkton, Maryland
7. Hugus Fruit Farm – Rushville, Ohio
8. Carver’s Orchard – Cosby, Tennessee
9. Red Apple Farm – Phillipston, Massachusetts
10. Bellewood Farms – Lynden, Washington
You can learn more about Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards on their website and find more fall fun in and around NYC here!
📍 2708 Lords Hill Rd, Lafayette, NY 13084
🚗 ~4 hour drive