3 Beautiful Apple Orchards by the Water
Apple picking plus beautiful fall boating—sounds like the makings of a perfect autumnal weekend! Fortunately, there are plenty of places to enjoy both across the country.
Hop aboard your Monterey and discover a few of our favorites below. (Tip: Be sure to call ahead to get specific information about apple picking hours and availability, and any safety regulations your orchard of choice may have in place!)
Friske’s Farm Market, MI
The picturesque setting of Friske’s Farm Market is reason alone to come out to Ellsworth and explore the autumnal harvest! Pick your own apples, pumpkins and other goodies while getting to know the charming farm digs. But don’t head home with your spoils just yet—Friske’s is just minutes away from some of the best Great Lakes boating at this time of year, namely Grand Traverse Bay and Torch Lake, two choice spots for cruising at the cusp of a cooler fall. Be sure to swing by Traverse City and Sleeping Bear Dunes a little farther south, too, to discover some of Michigan’s most beautiful waterfront fall foliage of the year.
Bellewood Farms, WA
Washington is the largest producer of apples in the United States—and it also happens to boast some of the most beautiful boating destinations around—so perhaps it’s no surprise that Bellewood Farms is next on our virtual tour!
All October long, Bellewood Farms is serving up fall fun in the form of bin train rides to the orchard, corn mazes and, of course, apple picking! The air is crisp and cool and easy to enjoy—plus, you can get some delicious inspiration on how to use the apples you pick by visiting the outdoor café and digging in to cider donuts, fresh apple cider and homemade apple pie. It just doesn’t get much better than that. Bookend your trip to the orchard with a day out on Bellingham Bay, where you can enjoy open-water cruising past views of the stunning, snow-capped Mount Baker, or get even closer to shore from your own canoe or kayak. (And of course, even on those cool, cloudy Washington days, you will feel warmed from within by those warm, homemade cider donuts.)
Sky Top Orchard, NC
Located atop gorgeous Mount McAlpine in North Carolina, Sky Top Orchard offers some seriously breathtaking panoramic views of the ever-changing fall foliage all around—not to mention that delicious apple goodness being picked and served up every day! Enjoy fresh-made apple cider donuts, hay rides and other charming activities for the whole family. Then, venture just a bit north to get to Lake lure, a beloved lake destination whose beautiful fall hues are sure to inspire as you cruise around or enjoy a picnic of apple-y goodness by the water.
From apple picking to fall fishing and cruising, your Monterey gets you closer to fun, family activities this season and all year long! Be sure to share your adventures with us on social media—we can’t wait to see where your next adventure leads.
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