Grandad’s has a comfortable, compact layout that makes it easy to explore—especially when visiting with children. We love the cute playground, the farm-themed photo props, and the welcoming porch lined with white rocking chairs. There is something especially cozy about sitting in one of those chairs with an apple cider donut in hand while the children squeeze in just a few more minutes of playtime.
A Family Orchard with Deep Roots
Grandad’s Apples ’N Such is a family-owned and operated farm located in Hendersonville, North Carolina. The family has been growing apples for five generations, and the orchard has operated at its present location since 1994. The farm grows produce across more than 120 acres, including over 30 varieties of apples, pumpkins, peaches, mountain cabbage, and lavender. Read the orchard’s story.
Although it has plenty to see and do, Grandad’s does not feel overwhelmingly large. Everything—from the market and bakery to the children’s area and seasonal activities—feels close and manageable. That is one of the biggest reasons it works so well as the first orchard stop of the season.
Apples, Apples, and More Apples
You can purchase freshly picked apples from the farm market or pick your own during select weekends when U-pick is available. Apple varieties ripen at different times, beginning with early-season varieties in August and continuing through October.
Depending on when you visit, you may find familiar favorites such as Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Winesap, or Arkansas Black. Grandad’s sells pre-picked apples by the pound and in larger quantities, and you can mix different varieties in the same bag. View the apple-ripening schedule.
The exact selection changes throughout the season, so check the orchard’s Available Today page before driving up—especially if you are hoping to pick a particular variety.
The Farm Market and Bakery
Of course, no trip to an apple orchard is complete without something warm and sweet from the bakery.
Grandad’s is known for its fresh apple cider donuts, but the bakery also offers fried apple pies, traditional apple pie, turnovers, cinnamon rolls, cookies, ice cream, coffee, and apple cider slushies. If you cannot decide between a cold drink and dessert, try the Mountain Glacier—an apple cider slushie topped with vanilla soft serve and caramel-apple cookie crumble.
The country market carries much more than apples. You can browse locally made honey, apple butter, jams, jellies, canned goods, seasonal decorations, handmade crafts, and apple-themed gifts. The farm also presses its own fresh apple cider during the fall. See the current bakery menu and prices.
My advice? Buy the donuts when you see them. They have a mysterious way of disappearing before the drive home.
Family Activities at Grandad’s Apples
Grandad’s offers several seasonal activities for families. The availability and operating days can vary, but activities may include:
- A corn maze
- U-pick apples
- A cow-train ride
- An apple cannon
- A farm-themed Kids’ Zone
- A playground
- Seasonal photo props
- A pumpkin patch beginning later in the fall
The corn maze is generally open daily during its season, while the cow train and apple cannon typically operate on Saturdays and Sundays. Some attractions require an additional fee. Check the official activities page before visiting because schedules can change with the season or weather.
The children’s area is one of our favorite parts. It gives the kids space to play without making the visit feel like an exhausting, all-day amusement park experience. There are also plenty of cute places to take fall pictures—even if your children suddenly forget how to smile the moment you point a camera at them.
Pumpkins and Late-Season Visits
The experience changes as fall progresses. Early visits are perfect for apples, cider slushies, and the excitement of starting a new season. By late September, the pumpkin patch adds another layer of autumn color.
Grandad’s grows pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns in many shapes and sizes, making it easy to combine apple picking with the annual search for the perfect pumpkin. The cooler weather also makes those white rocking chairs on the porch even more inviting.
Know Before You Go
Address:
2951 Chimney Rock Road
Hendersonville, NC 28792
Telephone:
828-685-1685
Current 2026 hours:
Open daily from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The bakery is open during regular operating hours. Because this is a seasonal farm, confirm the hours on the Grandad’s Apples website or social-media pages before leaving home.
Admission:
General entry has traditionally been free, while U-pick and certain family activities may have separate charges. Confirm current activity prices directly with the orchard.
Pets:
Leashed pets are welcome, provided owners clean up after them. Certain children’s or food-service areas may have additional restrictions.
What to bring:
- Comfortable, closed-toe shoes
- Sunscreen and water on warmer days
- A stroller or wagon for younger children
- A cooler if you plan to buy cider or other refrigerated products
- Extra room in the car for apples, pumpkins, and baked goods
Weekday mornings are usually a good choice if you prefer a quieter visit. Weekends offer more activities but may also bring larger crowds. U-pick availability depends on ripening conditions and how much fruit has already been picked, so always check before making it the main purpose of your trip.
Why We Keep Coming Back
Grandad’s Apples may be the first orchard we encounter along the road, but convenience is not the only reason we return. It is small enough to feel relaxing, yet there is still plenty for the children to enjoy. We can shop for apples, pick up something delicious from the bakery, take a few fall pictures, let the kids play, and sit on the porch without feeling as though we need a carefully organized itinerary.
Some places become traditions without you intentionally choosing them. You visit once, return the following year, and eventually realize that the season would not feel quite the same without them.
For our family, apple season begins at Grandad’s—with white rocking chairs, cider donuts, children running toward the playground, and the first bag of apples coming home with us. It is a simple tradition, but those are often the ones that stay with us the longest.
0 comments:
Post a Comment