Apple Season: Where to Pick, Sip and Celebrate

When it’s fall in Syracuse NY, that can only mean one thing: Apples. From apple picking and snacking on cider donuts to sipping on ciders and cocktails made from apple-based liquor, there are so many ways to get your apple fix in Syracuse this fall. If you’re looking to enjoy this season, you’re going to APPLE- solutely want to keep reading on.

Apple Picking

Head to an area orchard and take part in the fall tradition of apple picking. Get your fruit fresh from the tree this year and cross an activity off your fall bucket list. Syracuse, NY, and Onondaga County are overflowing with Apple Orchards to choose from. There are so many orchards to choose from in Syracuse, here are a couple of Visit Syracuse’s top picks.

Liz Marketing Portfolio Director: “Beak & Skiff! I love that you can spend an entire day there! Go from apple picking to enjoying donuts, cider, and all my other favorite apple products. Grab some swag at the General Store and then a beverage in the Tasting Room. They even have a kid’s area with slides and more.”

Brittany, Marketing and Creative Specialist: “Navarino Orchard is a perfect place to pick apples because while you're there you can stop by the country store or cafe for baked goods, food, and drinks, visit with their animals, and pick up pumpkins!”

Bridget, Digital Marketing Strategist: “Abbott Farms is a staple stop for my fall season! My strategy is to pick half my bag for baking and half for eating fresh. My favorites are Honey Crisp and Cortland. After exhausting myself picking apples I typically check out what ciders they have on tap.”

Apple Sips & Drinks

September is here so trade in your lemonade for cider and your light lagers for...harder ciders. Pick up your favorite version from a local orchard and let your taste buds take over. Looking for hard cider? Head out to Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards and visit the 1911 Established tasting room. Order a flight of hard ciders, apple wines, and even apple-crafted liquors. Stop by Abbott Farms and pick up some of their Four Grand wine or cider, this year they will also be serving up apple cider floats. You can also visit Critz Farms and treat yourself to a variety of different hard ciders that have their own fall twist. Try any from their moon collection, flavors include maple, cranberry, and blueberry. Here are a couple of Visit Syracuse’s top picks.

Bridget, Digital Marketing Strategist: “I’m obsessed with the Blueberry Hard cider from 1911. Its semi-sweet flavor is just perfect for a cool autumn day, yum!”

Maggy, Marketing Technology Manager: “1911 Hopped from Beak & Skiff. I like drier drinks and I’m so impressed with how they turned a sweet cider into something that’s inspired by a New England IPA.”

In the mood for other fall flavors? Make sure to check out what other seasonal beverages take over Syracuse during the fall.

Apple Eats & Treats

It's time for apple-flavored everything! Sample cider donuts, indulge in apple fritters, or take a bite out of candied apples covered in caramel, chocolate, or that red sticky coating that’s irresistible, and while you’re at it throw in some nuts. Head to any orchard store this fall to find delicious apple-baked goods like pies, breads, pancake mixtures, homemade jams, snacks, and more. There are so many ways to incorporate New York's favorite seasonal fruit into your meals. Here are a couple of Visit Syracuse’s favorite ways to eat them.

Lindsay, Media & Content Strategist: “I grew up making Apple Squares with my Mom and my Grandma, they're my favorite! It's essentially an apple pie baked on a sheet pan with dough on the bottom and the top. It's loaded with McIntosh apples, topped off with a powdered sugar glaze, and cut into squares. It's so good, it's impossible to just have one!”

Sarah, Visit Syracuse Insider: “For a good ol’ fashion snack- my favorite apple to bite into is a Macoun (pronounce it as Macoon OR Macowen). Macoun’s have a crisp crunch texture with a sweet yet tart flavor!  I also love fresh apple fritters! To hit a home run- throw a scoop of French vanilla ice cream on a warm fritter, but probably my favorite unique treat is a caramel apple shake! Use vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and replace milk with apple cider- YUM!"

Brittany, Marketing and Creative Specialist: "Sauté apples with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon and add to ice cream, oatmeal, or eat on its own. Bonus: add Cara-Sel Salted Caramel Sauce by The Ardent Homesteader, available at the CNY Welcome Center."

Apple Season Events

Want to celebrate apples in one of the leading apple-producing regions of Upstate New York? Then the Lafayette Apple Festival is for you. This year the festival is celebrating 49 years running and the dates are October 8th & 9th.  Fill up on apple–inspired foods including breakfast, desserts, and even cheeses. Bring the kids and enjoy playing games or taking hayrides. Compete in contests for the best apple pie or most impressive Scarecrow creation, there's a lot of fall fun to be had by all!