Apple picking! Fresh flowers! Pumpkins of all sizes and colors! There are so many ways to celebrate fall at the R & A Orchards in North Georgia. 

I had a great time on my recent trip to R & A Orchards to help kick off the start of my favorite season. It’s located in Ellijay, Georgia, about an hour and a half north of Atlanta. It’s a beautiful property that dates back almost 100 years and is still owned and operated by the same family that planted the first apple trees in this location. 

The best part about R & A Orchards? It’s not insanely packed, even on the weekend. I still recommend going earlier in the day rather than later, as there was a solid stream of patrons throughout the day, but we never had to wait in line for anything. 

Here’s what to expect from your trip to R & A Orchards: 

After you park and pay an admission fee -- $5/adult, kids under 3 are free -- you’ll hop on a tractor that will take you into the orchard. Pro tip: Wear a hat and sunglasses, as the tractor ride can get dusty. 

The first stop is the cut-your-own flower field. R & A Orchards added this section for the first time this year, and what a lovely addition it is: A stunning field of colorful zinnias and wildflowers, surrounded by the North Georgia mountains on one side and the apple orchard on the other. There’s a flat fee of $8.95 to pick as many flowers as will fit into a provided container. I picked enough for 3 bouquets! 

When you’re done, you’ll hop back on the tractor for the ride up to the main event: Apple picking. R & A Orchards has about 60 acres of apple trees, but a late frost in the spring of 2021 wiped out the majority of this year’s crop. 

No need to fret though: R & A Orchards still has plenty of the Rome Beauty apple variety for picking. These apples turn red when ripe and have a crisp flavor that isn’t too sweet. They’re great for both baking and snacking, and I can’t wait to make my own apple cider with them. The cost for apple picking is $10 for the small bag and $20 for the large one. 

Take your time picking, then hop on the tractor again to head back. R & A Orchards has a large gift shop and restaurant, where you can grab a full meal or stock up on pantry items, baked goods, and fresh groceries. I picked up a jar of cherry butter, which is divine! I’ve been adding it to toasts and yogurt bowls for a flavorful twist to my favorite breakfast items. 

Of course, I couldn’t leave without some apple hand pies and a few other apple goodies, like cider donuts and dried apples. If you’re not in the mood to pick your own, there are also lots of bagged apples and other fresh produce -- including pumpkins -- you can buy at the store. 

If you go to R & A Orchards this fall, I’d love to hear about your experience -- send me a DM on Instagram! I hope you have a great trip! 

Anna Lanfreschi is a digital content creator and strategist based in Atlanta. She posts about food and travel on her blog, AnnaFeasts, and on Instagram @AnnaFeasts.

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