This post was written by Hatchet reporter Sandra Loyola.
Pumpkin spice lattes, leaves changing colors and cold air hitting your face in the morning as you walk to class. Eighty-degree days are done. Autumn is officially here and so are fall traditions such as apple picking.
Although you live and take classes in a concrete jungle, that shouldn’t prevent you from engaging in such hallowed pursuits like hay rides or pumpkin picking. Round up a group of friends and rent a Zipcar, and head to these locations, which are under an hour away from the Foggy Bottom area. We suggest you call the farms before making the drive in case of a change in weather conditions and fruit availability.
Butler’s Orchard – 22200 Davis Mill Road, Germantown, Md.
Only 40 minutes away driving, Butler’s Orchard currently has a “pick-your-own” pumpkins deal starting at $.65 a pound. Butler’s Orchard is currently hosting its 33rd Annual Pumpkin Festival, which will be open every weekend of October, plus Columbus Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $11 per person. Enjoy live music as festival activities range from hayrides, giants slides, a straw maze and feel good fall festival foods such as caramel apples and apple cider donuts.
Homestead Farm – 15604 Sugarland Road, Poolesville, Md.
(301)-977-3761
Homestead Farm is another farm that is under an hour away (50 minutes) from the District. The farm has both “pick-your-own” apples and pumpkins, with apples starting at $1.79 per pound and include Fuji, Cameo, Sun Crisp, Braeburn, Enterprise apples. Pumpkins start at $.59 per pound. “Pick-your-own” hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the farm is open seven days a week. The farm also has public hayrides on Saturday and Sunday and cost $3 per person.
Stribling Orchard – 3062 Hartland Lane, Markham, Va.
An hour away from campus, Stribling Orchard is for you if you are a hard-core apple fan. At $1.50 per pound there are Golden Delicious, York, Fuji, Granny Smith and many more different kinds of apples to choose from. The orchard is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They also have a bakery where you can buy fresh pies, breads and pastries, as well as their store which sells apple cider, jams, and even honey harvested from their bee hives.
