By Claire Pickens

The best way to truly celebrate the fall season, especially in Upstate New York, is to go apple picking. Lucky for us, Beak and Skiff Apple Orchard is less than a thirty minute drive away from Syracuse in Lafayette, NY. Beak and Skiff is the epitome of everything fall. From apple-picking to hayrides, you’ll find yourself immersed in fall festivities and more importantly, food, for hours.

Kick off your experience with good ol’ apple-picking. A free tractor ride brings you to one of the many great apple-picking sections where they have a large variety of apples to choose from. It’s inexpensive too, so go ahead and fill up your whole bag.

More importantly, the 1911 Cafe at the orchard is the perfect place to relax and replenish after all the picking. I recommend eating outside on the picnic tables to enjoy the beautiful view on top of the hill. From house-made chicken salad sandwiches to the local cheese and fruit board, the cafe offers wholesome food, perfect for sharing.  

Looking to have a more adult experience? In addition to the food, Beak & Skiff’s Tasting Room offers cheap samplings of its famous wine, cider, and spirits. They pride themselves on selecting the best apples for their various flavored hard cider.

It’s almost impossible not to bring anything back from Beak and Skiff. Their general store is overflowing with local cheeses, honey, salsas, and other provisions, like their irresistible caramel popcorn. Their apple butter makes plain toast into a savory-sweet delight. You can also buy their famous cider, which they make on site.

If you were only going to take one thing home, stop at the bakery, the most indulgent part of Beak & Skiff. Everything is baked fresh and there is a large selection of tasty cinnamon and apple treats to choose from. The cider donut and apple dumpling are must-haves, and taste even better than they look!

Fall is not complete without these yummy treats, so make a trip to Beak and Skiff with friends and family before winter hits.