Fall has tricked me into loving it. I used to whine over the end of summer, but somehow I've learned to love the leaves, the feel of the air, the shorter days, the corn mazes and hay rides and pumpkin picking.
But, I really love picking apples.
Every year we go apple picking, and this year I decided to try a place I'd never visited before: Honey Pot Hill Orchards.
Honey Pot Hill Orchards is in Stow, MA and is perfect if you want to turn apple picking into an outing versus something you do just to get apples. Because, as you know, it doesn't take that long to pick apples even if you're going for the gigantic, two-hands-needed bag like we do.
Before I go any further though, I have one piece of advice for anyone wanting to go to Honey Pot Hill: go mid week. We went on a Tuesday in late September and it was perfect---bustling with people but not crowded. Lines to buy our bag for apples or to get on a hayride were reasonable. Parking was plentiful. I cannot, though, imagine how busy this place must be on a weekend, especially as we're approaching the end of apple season in New England.
So, I recommend you pull your kids out of school or daycare, call in sick from work if necessary and go midweek. Don't feel guilty: there were loads of school trips coming through when we were there, so I daresay there is even an educational angle to visiting an orchard.
On the day we went, we first hit the mazes. They have a large "Hedge Maze" which had me reciting every line I could remember from The Shining. Seriously, they should spray that thing with snow on Halloween night and let people loose in it while someone chases them with an ax. Or. . .maybe they shouldn't.
There is also a "Tunnel Maze" in one of the barns which I was relieved was only for kids to crawl through. Both mazes asked for a nominal fee to be left, honor-system style in collection boxes at the entrance.
For kids who like animals, there is a cute "three little pigs" pen with, you guessed it, three little pigs. And, the goat pen in the center had all my kids enthralled for quite some time.
After buying our bag and a ticket for the hayride, we took a quintessential New England hay ride out to the orchards.
Here is where I fell hard for Honey Pot Hill. First, there were no signs admonishing us to keep the apples away from our mouths. I mean, one of the greatest joys of going apple picking is eating an apple right off the tree; I hate being told I can't do this. If an orchard can't afford to let pickers eat an apple or two, they should raise their prices to account for those eaten while picking.
The other thing that made my kids swoon was that there were ladders perched up against the trees so that the kids could climb up to pick apples. My kids didn't need to be asked twice. I'm surprised I didn't forget someone in a tree.
After lugging our apples back to the hayride (and admiring the too-smart women who had thought to bring this along), we hit the Apple Shop for warm, sugary cider donuts, honey sticks and a gallon-jug of cider. I think you lose your Massachusetts license if you try to leave without buying some of their donuts, because no sane person could resist those things.
And, yeah, about three weeks later, I'm still using up the apples.
There really is nothing like picking apples on a crisp fall day! Cider Hill in Amesbury is our annual spot. Awesome hillside orchard, they give you lists of what type are on each row (and the rows are clearly marked!), and the store has fresh hot cider donuts with cinnamon sugar that melt in your mouth! Not to mention everything else they have to offer on the grounds and in the store!
Posted by: WorkingMom | October 12, 2009 at 12:11 AM
We love Honey Pot. I'm surprised you haven't ever gone when we've had field trips there. The have great animals and the donuts are awesome.
Posted by: Heather | October 12, 2009 at 02:38 PM
Well thanks for making me regret living all the way over here, in California.
Posted by: patois | October 12, 2009 at 03:04 PM
Well my cousin tried to talk me into driving there. Maybe I should have.
You forgot to mention the exceptionally nice drive out, while the leaves are turning....
Posted by: Anonymous | October 13, 2009 at 08:04 AM
We went to Honey Pot yesterday. Got there early so it wasn't too crowded and the kids had fun!
Posted by: LifeAsIKnowIt | October 13, 2009 at 11:54 AM
OMG! The boy is wearing socks!
Posted by: YouKnowMe | October 14, 2009 at 01:27 PM
sigh....i miss new england....
Posted by: shar133 | October 14, 2009 at 05:12 PM
Love Honey Pot Hill! We went for years but stopped going a year or two ago because the crowds were just too much. Always stopped at Dairy Queen and a country store on the way home to a pasta feast. Oh, the memories. Glad you enjoyed your day....Terrie
Posted by: Terrie McPhee | October 15, 2009 at 02:09 PM
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Posted by: Nike Shox Rivalry | September 17, 2010 at 10:42 PM