New York’s “Best Apple Orchard” is Only 1 Hour from Binghamton

It's the fall season. Sure it feels like summer still, but never mind the warm temperatures we have been having (or rather enjoy them while they last.) Autumn kicks in on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 8:44 a.m. EDT.

Fall means cooler temperatures, crisp air, pumpkins, mums, Halloween, fall sports of all sorts, the World Series, and of course, apples.

I remember going on apple-picking excursions when I was a kid. Now, it's just a quick drive to the store. But it's more fun picking apples from your own trees (if you have any) or going to an apple orchard.

There is no shortage of apple orchards in New York State. As a matter of fact, one apple orchard in New York State made it on the list of USA Today's 10Best Apple Orchards in The U.S.A.

Well, actually, this apple orchard is at the top of the list, and it is only about an hour's drive from the Binghamton area. It's the Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards, located at 2708 Lords Hill Road in LaFayette, New York.

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This apple orchard is just off Interstate 81, heading east on NYS Route 20, and then onto Lords Hill Road. USA Today notes that this best apple orchard in the country is family-owned, and began its operations in 1911. The pick-your-own season at Beak and Skiff Apple Orchard goes from late August through late October.

The orchard complex is large, featuring the orchard of course, along with a cafe, bakery, general store, apple barn, 1911 distillery, tasting room, climbing rocks, kid's treehouse, hemp house, cider house, a summer stage for concerts, and even an Airbnb residence on the property named the 'Honeycrisp House. '

That's quite a complex for an apple orchard. Obviously it's popular enough to be named USA Today's #1 10Best Apple Orchard in the U.S.A. Congratulations Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards.