pick
Ellijay is Georgia’s Apple Capital and boasts several local orchards and heritage farms where you can go and pick your own apples, and sometimes, other fruits, vegetables, or even flowers.
Panorama orchard
photo credit: Panorama Orchard
Apples are the “core” of business at Panorama Orchard. Swing through in the fall and to pick any of their 20 varieties of apples. Visit May to August for fresh peaches. If you’re lucky, in May, you can grab some of their strawberries as well! The market offers baked and canned goods as well as homemade fudge and ice cream.
Hillcrest Orchards
photo credit: Hillcrest Orchards
Fill your bag with any of their 5 varieties of delicious apples. In addition to apple picking, you can watch swimming pig races or cow milling. Wander through the apply tree maze or, if you’d rather, there are other fall favorites like the petting farm and wagon rides. The bakery is open daily year round and the farmer’s market is open September through November.
R & A Orchards
photo credit: R & A Orchards
September and October bring peak apple season in Ellijay and R & A Orchards is your one-stop-shop for apple, peach and nectarine picking. If you want to add a little beauty to your world, you can create your own bouquet with flowers that you’ve picked from their gardens. If apple and flower picking has worked up your appetite, swing through their cafe for sandwiches, burgers, or snacks.
Red Apple Barn
photo credit: @elements_dp via instagram
In addition to it’s 21 varieties of u-pick apples, Red Apple Barn has several novelty varieties u-pick pumpkins as well as traditional orange jack-o-lantern pumpkins. Similar to other orchards, Red Apple Barn has their own farm market with homemade goods like ciders, pies, jams, and breads.