Carter Mountain Orchard

I feel like going to Carter Mountain is probably the most #basic activity someone can go do during the fall season but it is also one of the most festive and fun things you can do as well. I went once last year but it was to only get their donuts and cookies, this time, it was for the full on experience.
We came on Halloween day (towards the end of October is their busiest season) and to our surprise it was not as crowded as some of my friends had experienced prior. The drive up the mountain (more like a steep hill) is very scary but once you get to the top you will see endless rows and rows of apples. I think there were about 10 different varieties and some I have never even heard of before. This place is Apple Heaven for all Apple lovers and fruit picking lovers. They have everything apple including: Apple cider cold/​hot (hard cider as well), apple donuts, cookies, jams, butters, bbq sauces, shirts, pies, slushes, etc. If you can think of it, they have it Apple flavored.
You can either PYO or buy the pre picked ones (which no one does). You come here to get the PYO fruit experience! The prices were very reasonable, as we paid $ 1.69/lb for FUJI apples which were some of the most ripe and sweetest apples I have ever had! There were apples EVERYWHERE on the trees, on the ground, and people filled their bags up which looked like they could be 20−25+ pounds. You can also try the apples as you go with any PYO fruit place. They give you a bag here and you can fill it up as much as you want or as little as you want.
Parking can be limited but I am not sure how they «make» people leave, if they do that. Some of my friends have told me that they have waited an hour at the front entrance to get to the parking at the top which should take less than three minutes when there is no back up. Come here because the views of the mountain side are really breathtaking and the apple donuts and cookies are a MUST try.

I wasn’t able to take advantage of all the things to do at the Carter Orchard, but was glad I popped in. I drank both cold AND hot cider! And that hot cider especially was OFF THE CHAIN.
I also sampled some apple cider donuts. They were THE BEST I’VE EVER HAD. I’ve had only one other apple cider donut — it was later that week, and at an orchard outside of Boston. Carter Mountain donuts took the cake! (Literally.)
If I’m ever back, I’d love to sample the wine slushie I saw plenty of people with. And do more apple-​y things.

Beauty and scenery for days! Guys, if you want to make a great impression, or if you’re in the dog house and need to get out, take your special lady to CMO for a date.
Whether you go up to pick some apples, have a picnic, sample the ciders, take a hike, or just take in the scenery and breathe the clean mountain air (or all of the above), CMO is a wonderful place to visit.
Tip: this really is a rural mountain. Steep ascent and descent, and it’s way cooler (and likely windy) at the top than it is at the bottom. Dress appropriately for the cooler temperatures and, of course, with proper footwear.

I travel a lot for work and Carter Mountain Orchard is now my go to stop when I go to Charlottesville. They have the option of picking your own apples as well as stocking up from already picked ones. My family is HUGE on apples so I’ve been picking up ½ bushels whenever I am going home to see the fam. Not to mention they have apple cider donuts! And they are cakey and delicious! Their store is filled with delicious things from apple cider to apple pies and a variety of other delicious things. The staff are always super nice and pleasant and always offer to carry my larger purchases to my car. Check this place out!!!