"Apples are in season!" I thought to myself as I peered into the refrigerator. "I should go apple-picking this weekend." For dating personals site meet singles dating tips search dating dating for singles single dating site, apples are an excellent choice! They're fresh and crisp, but not too mushy. Apples signal the transition from summer to fall, and they're everywhere right now. But where can you go to find just the right kind of apples? You want ones that aren't bruised or battered by all the other people who've snatched them up before you get a chance! Picking your own is a great idea – it's fun to go out with friends and family and collect these tasty treats together – but you have to know where to go. Luckily, I've done the research for you! Here are some of the best apple-picking spots around: The Apple Barn Farm Market , located in Lowville, New York, is a family farm dating back to 1898. They offer a variety of fresh produce from apples and pumpkins to vegetables and maple syrup. Their onsite bakery even makes an array of freshly baked goodies! Plus, they have a cute little shop filled with local crafts and collectibles so you can spend all day here if you want. If you find yourself getting tired after picking apples all morning though, there's always their picnic area where you can take a break at one of their tables while your kids run around playing in the grass. The Apple Barn is open every day from 8 am to 7 pm. If you go on Saturdays, be sure to check out their live music performances at 1 pm! There's also free hayrides around the farm, horse-cart rides for little kids, and a playground with giant inflatable slides where the older kids can play while you relax for a bit. Tiffany Hill Orchards , located in Liverpool, New York, is another great place to apple-pick this season! They offer over 60 varieties of apples that are grown right on site, like Macouns and Honeycrisps. Their flowers are even made entirely of fresh-cut apple blossoms! Talk about sustainable farming practices… If it's a hot day, stop at their onsite country store for some delicious ice cream and cider! From April to December, they offer u-pick strawberries and raspberries as well if you feel like changing things up (they also have horse-drawn hayrides!). Tiffany Hill Orchards is open from 9 am to 7 pm daily. They're closed on Mondays during the wintertime, but otherwise they're open every day of the week. If you go on Saturdays, be sure to check out their live music performances at noon! The Apple House Farm Market , located in Horseheads, New York, is the perfect place if you want to grab lunch with your apple picking activity! This market has been around since 1988 and offers a full produce stand, bakery, deli, and convenience store. Be sure to try their fresh cider while you're there! They offer all sorts of different flavors like pumpkin spice and non-alcoholic champagne (I'm not kidding!). There's even a gluten free variety for those with special dietary needs. And if you feel like taking some apples home with you, they offer the option to purchase pre-picked bags of fruit. The Apple House is open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm and on Sundays from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. They're closed on Easter and Thanksgiving Day so keep that in mind! If you go on Saturdays, be sure to stop by their live music performances at noon. Arnold's Orchards & Farm Market , located in New Paltz, New York, is where all the locals go to pick their apples every year! This farm has been around for over 250 years so they know what they're doing when it comes to tasty produce. They offer cider pressing tours on Saturdays and Sundays if you want to learn more about their production process (and purchase some fresh cider while you're at it). Plus, Arnold's Orchards hosts tons of events throughout the year like strawberry picking excursions and school field trips during apple season. Arnold's Orchards & Farm Market is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 6 pm, on Saturdays from 8 am to 6 pm, and on Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm. They close during the wintertime (December 21st through February 28th) so make sure you check their holiday hours before heading out! The Apple Barn , located in Saugerties, New York, is another great option if you're looking for a u-pick orchard near Kingston! It's family owned and operated dating back to 1946, but The Apple Barn was only established in 2008. This farm offers eight acres worth of apple trees with over 60 different varieties available! Plus they have a few other tasty snacks like jams and jellies made from local produce. And don't forget about their bakery—they sell delicious pies, pastries, cookies…you name it! The Apple Barn is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm. They're closed on Sundays so keep that in mind if you go during the late afternoon! You'll also want to note their hours during the off-season (November 1st to March 31st). Clay Meadow Orchard , based out of Delhi, New York, is another great place for apple picking near Kingston dating back to 1849! If you have any questions about the farm or need help picking out your favorite variety, just ask one of their friendly orchard staff. In fact, they even offer classes for adults and kids alike where you can learn about different techniques used in sustainable farming dating back to colonial times. They currently host a corn maze