Pixabay
Apple pie, apple crisp, apple butter, apple sauce… there’s no shortage of tasty things you can do when you come home with a basket of hand-picked Virginia apples.
There are several pick-your-own farms within driving distance of Alexandria, and you have plenty of time — apple season typically lasts until the end of October. Be sure to call these places before heading out, as weather or special events can affect operating hours.
Hollin Farms
1408 Snowden Road, Delaplane, Va.
Hollin Farms is a family farm next to Sky Meadows State Park in Fauquier County. In addition to apples and other fruits and vegetables, the farm has a 10-acre pumpkin patch and areas where you can dig up your own potatoes and peanuts. There’s an Alexandria connection: Hollin Farms was started by Robert C. Davenport in the 1950s, and the farm was named after the Hollin Hills neighborhood of Fairfax County. hollinfarms.com / (540) 592-3574.
Crooked Run Orchard
37883 E. Main St., Purcellville, Va.
Crooked Run is a small farm in western Loudoun County. The farm has pick-your own fruits and vegetables throughout the fall, including apples and pumpkins. In addition, you can cut your own holiday trees in the weeks before Christmas. facebook.com/CrookedRunOrchard / (540) 338-6642
Hartland Orchard
3205 Hartland Lane, Markham, Va.
Hartland Orchard has a variety of pick-your-own fruits with apples and pumpkins peaking in September and October. Plus, pick up jams, preserves, butters and salsas, apple donuts, kettle corn, cider slushies and pies. hartlandfarmandorchard.com / (540) 533-6901
Mackintosh Fruit Farm
608 Russell Road, Berryville, Va.
Mackintosh Fruit Farm is in the northern part of the Shenandoah Valley in Clarke County, Va. The farm includes plenty of walk-ing trails in addition to a wide variety of pick-your-own fruits and vegetables (open Thursday through Sunday until Oct. 31, call for hours). Fresh-pressed cider is usually available in October. mackintoshfruitfarm.com / (540) 955-2161
Stribling Orchard
11587 Poverty Hollow Ln, Markham, Va.
Stribbling Orchard is just down the road from Hartland Orchard in Markham. The orchard is nearly 200 years old, and the sixth generation of Striblings is now in charge. The farm has an on-site bakery in addition to farm animals, local honey, cider, apples, pumpkins and more. striblingorchard.com / (540) 364-3040
