MANSFIELD, Ohio — Fall has arrived, and with it comes apple-picking season.
According to one ranking, Ohio has one of the best apple farms in the United States.
Apple Hill Orchards in Mansfield, Ohio, is one of the top ten apple orchards in the country, according to USA Today’s 10Best list. Apple Hill is ranked ninth out of ten farms included, ahead of Milburn Orchards in Elkton, Maryland.
“Apple Hill Orchards dates back to the Great Depression, and almost a century later, you’ll find one of Ohio’s top apple orchards still going strong,” according to the publication’s rankings. “The season begins in August with Paula Reds, and there are over 30 varieties to choose from (or pick-your-own), including Jonalicious and Ludacrisp. In the fall, you can enjoy fresh apple cider and delicious apple donuts, as well as hayrides, a climbing tractor, and a variety of resident farm animals.
According to its website, Apple Hill Orchards has two locations: the original in Mansfield, which is at the second highest elevation in Ohio, and another about 18 miles away in Frederickstown. Mansfield is approximately a 90-minute drive south of Cleveland.
During the fall season, Apple Hill in Mansfield offers a variety of family-friendly activities such as apple picking, weekend hayrides, a children’s train, a climbing tractor, and resident animals such as goats, sheep, ducks, and chickens.
In addition to apples, Apple Hill grows cherries, pears, peaches, plums, tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, and other vegetables.
According to the U.S. Apple Association, more than 27,000 producers grow 11.1 billion pounds of apples in over 7,000 varieties each year.
The top 10 best apple orchards in the U.S., according to USA Today’s 10Best rankings, are:
- Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, Connecticut
- Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, Massachusetts
- Sky Top Orchard in Flat Rock, North Carolina
- Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge, Georgia
- Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette, New York
- Bishop’s Orchards in Guilford, Connecticut
- Knaebe’s Apple Farm in Rogers City, Michigan
- Peck & Bushel Organic Fruit Company in Colgate, Wisconsin
- Apple Hill Orchards in Mansfield, Ohio
- Milburn Orchards in Elkton, Maryland
