So long, summer, we’ve got autumn on our minds. And that means it’s time for a quintessential fall activity: apple picking. Head to these nearby Virginia farms to pick your own fruit — and stop to savor a delicious apple-flavored goodie while you’re at it.
Where to Pick Your Own
Grab your bucket and head to the fields to collect your own fruit. Many crops have been affected by this year’s harsh and fluctuating weather, so be sure to check each farm for hours and availability.
Hartland Orchard
3064 Hartland Lane, Markham
Hollin Farms
1524 Snowden Rd., Delaplane
Great Country Farms
34345 Snickersville Tpk., Bluemont
Mackintosh Fruit Farm
1608 Russell Rd., Berryville
Stribling Orchard
11587 Poverty Hollow Ln., Markham
Marker-Miller Orchards
3035 Cedar Creek Grade, Winchester
What to Pick
Each variety of apples has its own individual characteristics. Some are great for snacking, while others are best in a pie or baked good. Here are four popular types you may see at local farms.
Gala: One of the earliest varieties to ripen, this sweet, red-and-yellow apple is delicious right off the tree and also works well for baking.
Honey Crisp: This variety is versatile and sweet — tasty enough for a snack but sturdy enough for a pie.
Golden Delicious: Just like the name suggests, these apples are sweet and yellow with a soft flesh and mellow flavor. They are best for snacking or cooking into applesauce.
McIntosh: These apples are red and green with a tart flavor that makes them prime for pie-baking.
Fresh Treats
After a day in the fields, consider sampling some of these tasty apple treats:
- Housemade apple cider doughnuts, dusted with cinnamon sugar, are the perfect snack after a day at Great Country Farms. Wash them down with apple cider (hot, cold, or frozen).
- Stribling Orchard’s bakery turns out fresh-baked apple pies and cakes during the picking season.
- Marker-Miller Orchards’ apple cider doughnut bread pudding offers a twist on a classic.
- Visit the Cider Room at Mackintosh Fruit Farm for local hard ciders.
Feature image, hedgehog94/stock.adobe.com
This story originally ran in our September 2025 issue and has been updated for 2026. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
