Nothing says “fall” in the Midwest like a trip to an apple orchard or a farm market! A quaint, family-friendly activity, picking a bushel of apples not only gets you the absolute freshest produce for your kitchen, but it’s also great exercise and a wonderful way to make memories. Apples are fall’s favorite fruit, providing the main ingredient for such yummy treats as cider, pies, applesauce, donuts, fritters, and other pastries. There are some great pick-your-own apple orchards in Shores & Islands Ohio.
If you’re not so much interested in harvesting your own fruit, but you still want the freshest seasonal produce or other local craft products, there are several farm markets with freshly picked finds just waiting for you. Plus, to add more “fall” to your outing, consider picking up some traditional autumn decorations such as pumpkins, gourds, mums, corn shocks, and more. Extend your fall adventure by visiting a farm with additional activities such as hayrides, petting zoo, corn maze, and more. Here’s the scoop on where you can find the apple of your eye this season at Shores & Islands Ohio.
For a pick-your-own family adventure, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Quarry Hill Orchards in Berlin Heights. Here, you can walk through acres of apple 
trees and select straight from the branches the apple that looks best to you. Apple varieties peak at different times and the experts at the orchard can point you in the direction of which ones are peaking during your visit. You’ll want to check in at the market barn, where you’ll also find a selection of other locally grown fruits and vegetables as well as local products such as honey, snacks, baked goods, and more. On a warm autumn day, cool off with a Quarry Cone – a selection of real fruit ice cream served up fresh for you using seasonal fruits. Quarry Hill Orchards also hosts some fun fall events, including the new Honeys & Sunnies Harvest Celebration and Fall Haul at the Market Barn, along with the annual Apple Peak Harvest Celebration and Antique Tractor Show.
At The Farm Market at The Chef’s Garden in Huron you can get your fill of seasonal favorites, fresh from the farm. A full culinary experience, the market often hosts chef demonstrations using ingredients grown on site. The Jones family is dedicated to providing the community with healthy, Earth-friendly vegetables and are passionate about regenerative farming. Here you will also find a variety of seasonal festivals and events, often 
including farm tours, live entertainment, workshops, and pop-up vendors. Fall is a fantastic time to visit The Farm Market at The Chef’s Garden, especially during the Fall Harvest Festival in October.
Learn about beekeeping and purchase local, raw honey and honey-made products at nearby Cherry City Honey Farms in Bellevue. At this honey farm, you can partake in a number of presentations and workshops, including “Foraging in the Fall” in September and October. You can learn all about honey bees and purchase specialty honeys along with handmade lotions, candles, and lip balms. Support your immune system for the upcoming winter season by using local honey.
Huron’s Mulberry Creek Herb Farm is a great stop for both foodies and gardeners, where you can pick up herbs, perennials, houseplants, and more. The expansive herb farm welcomes you to walk their herb fields and greenhouses, bring along a picnic, or enjoy some Mitchell’s ice cream, sold onsite. New in 2024 is the Mulberry Creek Winery with a tasting room located right on the farm. One fall event you won’t want to miss is the special Celebration of Garlic on October 26.
The Ørchard Farm Stand in Catawba makes a great fall outing with an onsite farm market, café, The Coop outdoor bar, vineyard, and the namesake apple orchard. Buy seasonal produce in the farm market or occasionally partake in pick-your-own during special events. For example, during The Ørchard Harvest Fest in late September, you can pick your own apples and grapes as well as enjoy a fall cocktail tasting trail, vendors, live entertainment, and seasonal workshops. The shop also features Ørchard-made jams and jellies, coffee, maple syrup, local honey, body products, fall décor, kitchen items, and more.
With so many farm-fresh ideas, Shores & Islands Ohio is the place to be this autumn! For a complete list of local orchards, farm markets, pumpkin patches, and fall activities, visit the Fall “Things to Do” tab. Autumn adventure by beautiful Lake Erie? It’s a SHORE thing!
