Carter Mountain Orchard and Country Store

The Best Pickers, Peelers, and Tools for Apple Picking | Eater

"A sprawling Virginia orchard that’s become an autumnal rite of passage for families: apple picking, cider sipping, hay rides, and picture-perfect moments (think holding an apple cider donut up to the sky). Regular visitors recommend going on weekdays to avoid crowds, wearing cute-but-functional boots for the steep, often-muddy slopes, and bringing the kids for a full-day outing. Trips typically end with a bounty of Jonagolds and Winesaps to bake, preserve, or turn into cider, and the overall vibe is cozy, photogenic, and distinctly seasonal." - Stephanie Ganz