There's something magical about picking apples on a crisp fall day. With the warm days of summer soon melting into fall, it's almost apple season in the Mid-Atlantic.

Northern Virginia has some of the best orchards around, and here are some of our favorites! Get ready for family fun if you're heading to one of these apple you-pick farms.

Apple Orchards in Northern Virginia to Visit This Fall:

• Cox Farms
  • Where: 15621 Braddock Rd., Centreville
• Great Country Farms
  • Where: 34345 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont
• Crooked Run Orchard
  • Where: 37883 E Main St., Purcellville
• Hollin Farms
  • ​​​​​​​Where: 1524 Snowden Rd., Delaplane
• Stribling Orchard
  • Where: 11587 Poverty Hollow Ln., Markham
• Hartland Orchard
  • ​​​​​​​Where: 3064 Hartland Ln., Markham
• Nalls Produce
  • ​​​​​​​Where: 7310 Beulah St., Alexandria

Know Before You Go

• Many of these you-pick orchards have a wide range of apple varieties that ripen during different months. If you're looking for a particular kind, call ahead.
• Social distancing and hand hygiene are required in common areas like farm markets and picnic areas while you're in line with other visitors. Be sure to follow posted guidelines and instructions from the orchard staff.
• Some of the best apples are high up on the trees. Grab an apple picker (looks like a broom handle with a basket at one end) at the orchard before you venture too far away from the entrance.
• People tend to drop blemished or bruised apples at the base of the tree. Wear sturdy walking shoes or boots because things will get messy.
• As tempting as it is, don't eat the apples straight off the tree. You'll want to give them a thorough washing first to get off any pesticides.
• There are eating apples and baking apples—make sure you know what you're going to do with them before you start picking!

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