As pumpkin-flavored everything shows up left and right and it finally becomes sweater weather, the thought of taking a drive to Milburn Orchards pops into our minds. Here are 9 reasons why you need to make the 9 minute drive to the farm.
1. U-Pick Adventures
Photo by Allyn Scherr
Milburn Orchards allows you to pick your own fruits right from the dwarf trees into your bags. U-Pick adventures offer cherries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes, and apples. All the fruits are only available during specific times of the year so make sure to check online or call the Harvest Hotline (410) 398-1349 -or- (800) 684-3000 for daily harvest updates before you go. Obviously apple picking is the main attraction for fall.
2. Milburn’s Farmers Market
If you don’t have time to walk through rows of trees to pick your delicious fruit, visit the farmers market where they have tons of fresh and locally grown fruits and vegetables. The market opens in June and remains open into the fall and winter.
3. The Country Bake Shoppe
The bake shoppe has a variety of baked goods like zucchini bread or fresh pecan pie that you can purchase and bring home for your family or roommates to be the new favorite. They also have a wide selection of apple butters, ciders, pasta products, and interesting snacks so you can try something new every time you stop.
4. Pumpkin Picking
Photo by Allyn Scherr
Pumpkins make people happy. I don’t know about you, but I love to have a cute little pumpkin sitting on my countertop as a reminder that it’s going to be a good day. Milburn has a large supply of pumpkins of different sizes, shapes, and colors to fit no matter how small your dorm room is. If you don’t want to buy a pumpkin, make sure you take your basic fall photo inside the pumpkin house or sitting atop a bunch of extra large pumpkins.
5. Family Friendly Activities Included With Basic Admission
If the family is in town make a day out of it. Basic admission fees are free for children ages 2 & under, $5 for seniors 60+, and $10 for all others ages 3-59. If you have a large group of 20+ people, you can even get a discount of 10% off. With the admission fee you get access to hayrides, corn mazes, the boo barn, barnyard buddies zoo, groundhog hill, and all the other fall-y stuff around.
6. Upgrades
Photo by Allyn Scherr
As much fun as the activities included with the admission fees are, there are even more fun events to participate in such as the paintball shooting gallery, remote control derby, games, arts & crafts, and pony rides sponsored by Fairwinds Farm.
7. Vendors
A variety of vendors are set up along the trail that provide delicious foods such as pulled beef, crab cakes, hotdogs, pizza, funnel cakes, french fries, and caramel apples. As if the smell of apple cider donuts wasn’t enough.
8. The Orchard View Ice Cream & Lunch Deck
Photo by Allyn Scherr
This is the perfect place to grab an ice cream or choose from the variety of lunch menu items they offer that come with a pickle and a side of your choice. The orchard view gives you the opportunity to relax and take some time to enjoy lunch in the orchard after a long day of apple picking.
9. The Apple Cider Donuts
You can never pass on the famous apple cider donuts. As you wait on the line of eager and hungry donut-lovers the smell of cinnamon and the feeling of autumn creeps up on you. These donuts come out hot, fresh, and coated with sugar ready for you to bite into their slightly crunchy outer layer to melt in your mouth. If that’s not a deciding factor for you to make the trip to Milburn Orchards, we can’t be friends.