A few weeks ago, my mother and I celebrated the first few days of fall by picking apples at Melick’s Cider Mill & Orchard in Oldwick, N.J.

Melick’s is the largest apple farm in the state and provides over twenty varieties of apples between their locations in Oldwick and Califon, which are only 20 minutes apart.

My family has picked apples here every year for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I loved watching their apple cider demonstrations, picking out the perfect pumpkin at their pumpkin patch and riding around the orchard during their hayrides . . . now I’m just in it for the apples.

While there we picked Cortland, Macoun and Empire apples — all of which are great for baking or eating on the way home if you’re impatient, like me. I was a little disappointed we weren’t allowed to pick my favorite Honeycrisp apples at the orchard, but they had them available to purchase at their farm stand just down the road.

The variety you’re allowed to pick on your own varies throughout the season, but you can always call ahead or check their website to find out what’s ripe for the picking.

My mom and I went on a weekday to avoid the crowds, but if you’re going with kids, you should try to go on the weekends. Stop by the Oldwick orchard on a weekend in September or October and enjoy a free wagon ride, or bring home a variety of their baked goods like pies and fresh apple cider donuts. The Califon orchard offers horse-drawn wagon rides on the weekends.

Apple picking is one of my favorite fall pastimes and is a great way to enjoy the cool weather and fall foliage. So get out there and enjoy sweater weather while it lasts.

— Amanda Ekstrand, intern