As many of you know, I spent most of the first 40 years of my life living in a little town in Northeast Ohio called Hartford. Located right on the Pennsylvania border, that little town, or township, rather, was known for its apple orchards. As a small child, I remember elementary school field trips to the orchard (such a far walk across the road), youth group pick-your-own parties, apple festivals, trips to the nearby cider mill, and more. Through the years, many of the orchards have closed down or been sold, and last year, the last orchard went up for auction and shuttered its door. However, I’m happy to say that Hartford Orchards opened again this fall.
We stopped in at the newly reopened Hartford Orchards on Apple Festival weekend and were impressed with all they had to offer.
Apples (Of course!)
There were several varieties of apples available for purchase. As of the first week of October, they are picking Cortland, MacIntosh, JonaGold, Red and Yellow Delicious.
Pick Your Own
Customers may choose already-picked apples or pick their own. Families can walk or ride on a wagon to the fields that are ready to harvest. Pick-your-own prices are $10 a peck or $16 a half-bushel. Because we had three little ones with us, we chose the easy route–maybe when they’re a little older, we’ll take them out apple-picking!
Apple Slushies!
Apple slushies! Need I say more? If you’ve never tried these delicious frozen concoctions, you’re in for a treat. Dennis thought he could get away with buying three-one for each of the adults. He should have known better–the girls ended up drinking most of ours.
Mums and Pumpkins
The orchard had a wide variety of beautiful potted mums available for purchase, plus the Optimist Club was selling pumpkins and cornstalks next door. Hartford Orchards is a great place to go for your fall decorating needs. Plus, by supporting the Hartford Optimist Club, you’re giving back to the kids in the community. The Optimist Club supports several area youth organizations.
Cider
Nothing says fall more to me than apple cider. I love it hot, cold, or frozen. A simmering pot of hot cider will fill your home with such a great aroma! No need for candles, essential oil diffusers, or wax burners–just heat up a pot of cider and breathe in the deliciousness of apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and oranges.
Mulled Apple Cider
Hot apple cider is the perfect beverage for cold autumn and winter evenings. The aroma is tantalizing, and the taste is a delicious blend of fall flavors.
Ingredients
- 8 cups apple cider
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 orange sliced
Instructions
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Mix all the ingredients together in a large pot or slow cooker. You will need more time if using a crock pot or slow cooker.
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Cook at medium-low until warm.
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Strain. and garnish with cinnamon sticks, if desired.
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Enjoy!
Jams, Jellies, Syrup, and More
Looking for small gifts with local flavor? Check out the selection of jams, jellies, and syrups. I love buying the jalapeno jam, spreading it over a block of cream cheese, and serving it with crackers. It’s such an easy appetizer or snack.
Coloring Activities
The orchard has an area set up with a table and chairs for the little ones to color. The girls sat and colored quietly while Josh napped in the stroller. There’s also a rocking chair where you can sit and rock your little one.
Fun Fall Photo Backdrops
Be sure to bring your camera when visiting the orchard with your family this year. Starting with the giant-sized Adirondack chair out front, there are a plethora of photo opportunities at Hartford Orchards. Outdoors, take photos with the mums, the pumpkins, the apples, and trees. Inside, check out this year’s photo backdrop complete with bales of straw, cornstalks, mums, and pumpkins. It’s the perfect place for a family portrait…if your family will sit still long enough for the photo!
Final Thoughts
Stop in at Hartford Orchards and check out everything they have to offer! You’ll be happy you did. I know we’ll be back for more of their delicious apples and cider.
Recent hours have been from 10-4 Tuesday through Friday, 9-4 on Saturday, and 1-4 on Sunday. Be sure to call 330-772-2100 for the orchard’s current hours.
Wondering what to do with all those apples? Check out this Amazing Apple Crisp recipe.
If you’re in Hartford the third weekend of September, make sure to visit the annual Hartford Apple Festival. Click here to read about our day at the festival.
This looks like such a fun adventure and a great place to get all those amazing apples for your crisp recipe. I love a good apple crisp and I pinned it previously, and I am excited to make it soon!!!
What a cute place! This would be a good half day trek for me so maybe when my kids are older we will have to check this out. I really do love everything about fall and apple picking so I can definitely see us doing this in the not to distant future!
This place looks so amazing! We’ll have to check it out in the fall!
I love the Fall. It is so fun going to a pumpkin patch, picking apples, etc. I have never heard of an apple slushie. I guess it is good since your girls took yours.
I love apple picking! It’s my favorite fall activity. I’ve never had an apple slushie thought. That sounds delish!
I love reading your posts and seeing your pictures! You always seem to be having so much fun!
I love this. Fall is my favorite time to do things with the kids. I would have loved the apple slushee. If I’m ever in the area, I would love to take my family here.
I loved your writing and story telling style. It is simply amazing. And it is complemented with some great photos ! Makes the reader’s experience so beautiful.
Thank you. That’s so sweet.
Apple slushies?! Those sound amazing!!
This looks amazing, it looks like your family truly enjoyed it, I would absolutely love to attend!
Great post. I love the nostalgia and how you relate it to this visit, the things to do there and the recipe. This is my favorite kind of post to read – informs, entertains and has a great take away. Thanks for sharing.
Love this post! I’m looking forward to a cider mill trip tomorrow, and yours looks so much like ours! We do cider, doughnuts and apples. And ours has farm animals the kids can check out. Fun times!
Yees fall! All things fall! Apple picking and the pumpkin patch are my favorites, though I’m trying to hold out as much as possible! Our weather is so weird… you think it’s a good time for apple picking but you get there and it’s 90 degrees lol…
I love this!!! Apple picking is one of the best fall activities ever!! I love everything about fall in general! Thanks for the review !
All the Autumn feels! Loved reading your post. How is the weather up in Hartford? I’m down in Texas, and we’ve still got 90 degree weather!
Any hint of fall, and I’m all over this cider recipe. Thank you so much for sharing!
Lyndsey @ Lemon la Vie
The weather is crazy—high of 60 one day and 85 the next. Layers are essential.
I have never experienced this, but your way if writing was so captivating. I was imagining myself in ir. You definately had a blast
How much fun is this?! I love all your pictures! I would love to bring my kids to an orchard 🙂
I kicked off fall with a hayride, brews and of course, s’mores.
S’mores sound awesome! Have you ever tried them with cinnamon graham crackers?
Wow looks like you guys had a blast! I have fond memories of going apple picking with my parents in the fall. I hope I can make it Apple picking this fall. Cheers!
I like how you tell what you did there and what is fun to do there I also like how you told us a little about how when you were in school/ kindergarten you when here for a field trip and that was cool.
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\___/ It was a good article and i would go to the apple
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I did not know Hartford Orchards had reopened!! I’m thrilled and will be heading over ASAP. Thanks for the great blog.