{"id":348656,"date":"2026-09-16T21:04:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T21:04:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/348656\/"},"modified":"2026-09-16T21:04:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T21:04:14","slug":"americas-no-1-apple-orchard-is-a-115-year-old-new-york-farm-with-400000-apple-trees-a-historic-distillery-on-site-cabins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/348656\/","title":{"rendered":"America&#8217;s No. 1 apple orchard is a 115-year-old New York farm with 400,000 apple trees, a historic distillery, &#038; on-site cabins"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Beak-and-Skiff-Apple-Orchards-1024x683.png\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\" alt=\"aerial view of Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFacebook \/ Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are few things that scream <a href=\"https:\/\/secretnyc.co\/fall-foliage-peak-prediction-nyc-2026\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" target=\"_self\" class=\"shortcode-outbound-link\" data-has-ga=\"true\" data-ga-type=\"click\" data-label=\"https:\/\/secretnyc.co\/fall-foliage-peak-prediction-nyc-2026\/\" data-action=\"text_cta_0\" data-category=\"click_internal\">fall<\/a> in New York quite like crisp apples, warm cider donuts, a wagon ride through the orchard, and the first excuse of the season to break out your flannel. And Beak &amp; Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette, NY just happens to have all of the above\u2014plus national bragging rights.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After coming in at <a href=\"https:\/\/secretnyc.co\/best-apple-orchards-in-usa-2025-beak-and-skiff-apple-orchards-usa-today\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" target=\"_self\" class=\"shortcode-outbound-link\" data-has-ga=\"true\" data-ga-type=\"click\" data-label=\"https:\/\/secretnyc.co\/best-apple-orchards-in-usa-2025-beak-and-skiff-apple-orchards-usa-today\/\" data-action=\"text_cta_1\" data-category=\"click_internal\">#5 last year<\/a>, the 115-year-old, family-run farm has officially jumped to the top spot, being named the No. 1 Apple Orchard in America by <a href=\"https:\/\/10best.usatoday.com\/awards\/best-apple-orchard\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"shortcode-outbound-link\" data-has-ga=\"true\" data-ga-type=\"click\" data-label=\"https:\/\/10best.usatoday.com\/awards\/best-apple-orchard\/\" data-action=\"text_cta_2\" data-category=\"click_non_sales\">USA Today\u2019s 10Best Readers\u2019 Choice Awards<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This isn\u2019t the orchard\u2019s first rodeo, either\u2014Beak &amp; Skiff previously took home the national title in 2015, 2017, 2020, and 2021. But with 400,000 apple trees, an award-winning distillery, an adventure park, and overnight stays right on the property, this year\u2019s top ranking is well-earned.<\/p>\n<p>A 115-Year-Old Upstate Icon<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What began in 1911 as a small hillside plot along Route 20\u2014founded by onion farmer George Skiff and dairy farmer Andrew Beak\u2014has blossomed across five generations into one of the most respected names in New York agriculture.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the past century, the farm has survived droughts, late frosts, and even the <a href=\"https:\/\/beakandskiff.com\/about\/our-history\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"shortcode-outbound-link\" data-has-ga=\"true\" data-ga-type=\"click\" data-label=\"https:\/\/beakandskiff.com\/about\/our-history\/\" data-action=\"text_cta_3\" data-category=\"click_non_sales\">\u201cBig Freeze\u201d of 1945<\/a> that wiped out an entire year\u2019s crop. Today, innovation like wind machines and New York\u2019s first flash-pasteurized cider mill has turned the sprawling property into a full-blown fall wonderland\u2013all surrounded by sweeping views of Central New York\u2019s countryside.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"843\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Beak-and-Skiff-Apple-Orchards8-1024x843.jpg\" alt=\"Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards\" class=\"wp-image-400580\"  \/>Shutterstock \/ Debra Millet<\/p>\n<p>What To Do At Beak &amp; Skiff<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udf4e 50 Acres of U-Pick Apples<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From late August through late October, visitors can hop on a free wagon ride into 50 dedicated acres of public picking. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With over 20 varieties\u2014including Honeycrisp, SnapDragon, Gala, McIntosh, Paula Red, and Ginger Gold\u2014you can check their <a href=\"https:\/\/beakandskiff.com\/picking-schedule\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"shortcode-outbound-link\" data-has-ga=\"true\" data-ga-type=\"click\" data-label=\"https:\/\/beakandskiff.com\/picking-schedule\/\" data-action=\"text_cta_4\" data-category=\"click_non_sales\">online picking schedule<\/a> before heading out to see what\u2019s peaking. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(Prefer to skip the work? The Apple Barn stocks 15+ pre-picked varieties ready to take home).<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udf69 Cider Donuts, Fritters, &amp; Cold Brew<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No trip Upstate is complete without treats:<\/p>\n<p>The Caf\u00e9 &amp; Bakery: Hot burgers, fries, fresh pies, and warm cider donuts<\/p>\n<p>The Fritter Shack: Dedicated entirely to crispy apple fritters and quick kid-friendly snacks<\/p>\n<p>The Sweet Apple: Gourmet hot chocolate and top-tier fall desserts<\/p>\n<p>Cold Brew &amp; Sparkling Waters: Their own house-made cold brew coffee and kid-friendly sparkling fruit waters<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Beak-and-Skiff-Apple-Orchards7-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards\" class=\"wp-image-400581\"  \/>Source \/ Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards<\/p>\n<p>\ud83e\udd43 The 1911 Tasting Room &amp; Distillery<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beak &amp; Skiff\u2019s famous 1911 Established line makes it a haven for adults, too. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stop by the updated 1911 Tasting Room &amp; Tavern to sample small-batch hard ciders, wines, and handcrafted cocktails made with spirits distilled right on-site\u2014including vodka, gin, pommeau, and bourbon whiskey.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udf3d Apple Grove Adventure Park &amp; Live Music<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perfect for families, the Adventure Park features a corn maze, the Orchard Speedway, an animal park, an apple chute, and more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adults and music lovers can also catch seasonal events and outdoor concerts on the lawn.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Beak-and-Skiff-Apple-Orchards-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards\" class=\"wp-image-400583\"  \/>Source \/ Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards<\/p>\n<p>Turn It Into A Weekend Getaway: On-Site Lodging<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since LaFayette is about a 4.5-hour drive from NYC, turning this into a fall weekend road trip is the way to go. Instead of driving back the same day, you can stay directly on the orchard.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beak &amp; Skiff offers four unique rental properties nestled right among the trees:<\/p>\n<p>The Orchard Overlook<\/p>\n<p>The Honeycrisp House<\/p>\n<p>The Blossom Retreat<\/p>\n<p>The Cider Sanctuary<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Booking a stay gives you easy access to night concerts, sunset drinks at the tavern, and early-morning orchard walks before the crowds arrive.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Cider-Sanctuary-update-sunset-13-scaled-1-1024x767.webp\" alt=\"Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards\" class=\"wp-image-400582\"  \/>Source \/ Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards<\/p>\n<p>Visitor Essentials<\/p>\n<p>Location: 2708 Lords Hill Rd, Lafayette, NY 13084 (Central NY, near Syracuse &amp; Skaneateles)<\/p>\n<p>Getting There from NYC: ~4.5 hours by car via I-80 W \/ I-81 N. Alternatively, take Amtrak to Syracuse and grab a 20-minute rideshare to the farm<\/p>\n<p>Hours: Monday\u2013Wednesday: 10 am \u2013 6 pm | Thursday\u2013Sunday: 10 am \u2013 8 pm<\/p>\n<p>The 10 best <a href=\"https:\/\/secretnyc.co\/best-apple-orchards-near-nyc\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" target=\"_self\" class=\"shortcode-outbound-link\" data-has-ga=\"true\" data-ga-type=\"click\" data-label=\"https:\/\/secretnyc.co\/best-apple-orchards-near-nyc\/\" data-action=\"text_cta_5\" data-category=\"click_internal\">apple orchards<\/a> in the U.S. for 2026, according to USA Today<\/p>\n<p>Beak &amp; Skiff Apple Orchards \u2013 LaFayette, NY<\/p>\n<p>Minard\u2019s Family Farm \u2013 Cintondale, NY<\/p>\n<p>Lyman Orchards \u2013 Middlefield, CT<\/p>\n<p>Red Apple Farm \u2013 Phillipston, MA<\/p>\n<p>Bishop\u2019s Orchards \u2013 Guilford, CT<\/p>\n<p>Knaebe\u2019s Apple Farm \u2013 Rogers City, MI<\/p>\n<p>Sky Top Orchard \u2013 Flat Rock, NC<\/p>\n<p>Apple Hill Orchards \u2013 Mansfield, OH<\/p>\n<p>Marker-Miller Orchards \u2013 Winchester, VA<\/p>\n<p>Mercier Orchards \u2013 Blue Ridge, GA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Facebook \/ Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards There are few things that scream fall in New York quite&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":348657,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[9,24,55,54,56],"class_list":["post-348656","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-york-city","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-new-york-city-headlines","tag-new-york-city-news","tag-ny"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348656","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=348656"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348656\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/348657"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=348656"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=348656"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=348656"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}