Autumn in the Carolinas brings cool breezes, vibrant foliage, and the much-anticipated apple harvest season. The region is known for its sprawling apple orchards that provide more than just fresh apples—they offer memorable experiences filled with apple picking, hayrides, corn mazes, and much more. For 2024, here are eight of the best NC apple orchards and SC apple orchards that are perfect for a fall day trip.

Skytop Orchard – Flat Rock, NC

Nestled in the mountains near Hendersonville, NC, Skytop Orchard is a family favorite and one of the most popular NC apple orchards. Visitors can pick from over 20 varieties of apples, depending on the time of the season. Skytop offers more than just apple picking; it features breathtaking mountain views, a bamboo forest, a barnyard area with friendly animals, and a children’s playground. A trip to Skytop isn’t complete without tasting their famous apple cider donuts, apple slushies, and fresh-pressed apple cider. Located near the Hendersonville Apple Festival, this orchard is an ideal stop for families looking to enjoy both the festival and the local apple harvest.

Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard – Hendersonville, NC

Also located near Hendersonville, Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard is another top destination for apple lovers. With over 40 acres of orchards, it offers a wide variety of apples ripe for picking throughout the season. Stepp’s stands out for its educational farm tours, where visitors can learn about apple cultivation and farm life. The orchard also offers a five-acre corn maze, wagon rides, and a pumpkin patch, making it an excellent destination for families. Its proximity to the Hendersonville Apple Festival makes it a great addition to a festive fall weekend.

Feast on delicious treats like these literal candy-covered apples at the Autumn Leaves Festival.

Grandad’s Apples N’ Such – Hendersonville, NC

Just a short drive from downtown Hendersonville, Grandad’s Apples N’ Such provides a quintessential apple orchard experience. Guests can pick their own apples or select from pre-picked apples in the farm market. The orchard offers homemade apple cider, donuts, and a bakery filled with delicious apple-themed treats. Grandad’s also features a corn maze, a cow train for kids, and a barnyard corral where children can meet friendly farm animals. It’s an ideal spot for families visiting the Hendersonville Apple Festival and looking for additional outdoor fun.

Justus Orchard – Hendersonville, NC

Another gem in the Hendersonville area, Justus Orchard has been family-owned for four generations and is known for its variety of apples and welcoming atmosphere. Beyond apple picking, visitors can enjoy fresh cider, fried apple pies, and other homemade goodies. The orchard also offers a jumping pillow, cow train rides, and a small pond where kids can feed ducks. A highlight for many is the fresh apple cider donuts, which pair perfectly with the orchard's breathtaking mountain views.

Hot, fresh-out-of-the-oven apple cider donuts; cider-pressing demonstration at Millstone Creek Orchards | Ramseur

Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill – York, SC

One of the top SC apple orchards, Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill in York, SC, is a must-visit for both apple lovers and cider enthusiasts. The orchard is known for its hard cider, made from their apple harvest. Windy Hill also offers apple picking, hayrides, and live music on the weekends. Their farm stand features fresh apples, apple cider donuts, pies, and other treats. It’s a great destination for a relaxed day of apple picking near Charlotte, NC, as it’s only a short drive from the city.

Carrigan Farms – Mooresville, NC

Located just north of Charlotte, Carrigan Farms is a fifth-generation family farm known for its seasonal apple picking. This orchard offers a unique apple-picking experience where guests can pick their own apples from late September through October. Carrigan Farms is particularly popular for its other seasonal activities, such as hayrides, a haunted trail during Halloween, and its natural quarry where visitors can swim. It’s a great spot for families looking to combine apple picking with other fun fall activities.

Bryson’s Apple Orchard – Mountain Rest, SC

For those exploring the upstate of South Carolina, Bryson’s Apple Orchard in Mountain Rest offers a charming, less-crowded apple-picking experience. Known for its U-pick option, Bryson’s offers several apple varieties throughout the season. The orchard also sells fresh cider, apple butter, and other local products. Its location near the apple festival in Westminster, SC, makes it an excellent stop for those attending the festival and wanting to visit an SC apple orchard afterward.

Fall 2024 MyTown Ambassador Sid Eley of Hertford NC

Nominate Your NC/SC Small Town Ambassador

Do you know someone who truly embodies the spirit of your small city or town in North Carolina or South Carolina? Carolina Traveler is on the hunt for our next “My Town Ambassador” to be featured in our upcoming holiday 2024 issue, and we’re turning to you, our readers, to help us find that special someone!

We’re looking for vibrant, community-driven individuals from towns with populations (generally) under 25,000 who have left a memorable mark on their corner of the Carolinas. Maybe it’s a local business owner whose smile lights up Main Street, a volunteer who dedicates their time and heart to helping others, or even an eccentric SC apple orchards farmer!

From the mountain towns of NC to the coastal gems of SC, we want to showcase someone who is a shining example of what makes these small towns so unique. The ideal “My Town Ambassador” should be personable, passionate, and willing to share their journey and love for their hometown with our writers. Let’s see which town—big or small, from the North or the South—boasts the most unforgettable character in the Carolinas!

Think you know someone who fits the bill? Nominate them today and let them be the face of their town in Carolina Traveler's holiday issue! Send an email to [email protected] with the name (first and last) of your nominee, your town or city in NC or SC, and a brief paragraph outlining why they stand out. A writer from our team will be in touch if your nominee is chosen.

The Carolinas are brimming with stories just waiting to be told—so let’s see which town can claim the title of having the most spirited ambassador!

Corn maze at Kersey Valley Maize Adventures | Archdale