Scott Seeberger, co-owner of Windy Hill Orchard, shows some of the McIntosh apples at the Castleton farm.
Paul Buckowski/Times Union
Autumn in upstate New York is magical: The air is crisp. Layers, often with a bit of flannel in the mix, re-appear. Thoughts turn to football and bonfires. And cravings for all things apple and pumpkin kick in.
That means now is the time to head to a local orchard. For seven years, we’ve asked readers to nominate and vote for their favorite apple orchard in our annual Best of the Capital Region reader poll. For seven years, Indian Ladder Farms has come out on top — but it’s a category with some good competition.
Here’s a rundown of the winners, starting with the 2022 finalists. Looking for other fall adventures? We have comprehensive guides to you-pick apple orchards and apple cider doughnuts, and weekly updates on the fall foliage report.
More: See all of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region winners. | Sign up for the Best of the Capital Region newsletter.
BEST OF THE CAPITAL REGION
Indian Ladder Farms
2022: Winner
Cailey Heffley of Glenmont holds her daughter Fiona as her other daughter, Elly, finds a low-hanging apple while apple picking in 2021 at Indian Ladder Farms in Altamont.
Lori Van Buren/Times Union
Best apple orchard: First place in 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016
Best doughnuts: Second place in 2022
Best local brewery: Third place in 2022; runner-up in 2021
Best outing with your kids: First place in 2021; third place in 2020
Address: 342 Altamont Road, Altamont
Phone: 518-765-2956
Website: indianladderfarms.com
BEST OF THE CAPITAL REGION
Bowman Orchards
2022: Second place
Families make their way around Bowman Orchards in 2018 in Rexford.
Paul Buckowski/Times Union
Best apple orchard: Second place in 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2016; third place in 2017
Address: 147 Sugar Hill Road, Rexford
Phone: 518-371-2042
Website: bowmanorchards.com
BEST OF THE CAPITAL REGION
Golden Harvest Farms
2022: Third place
An apple orchard at Golden Harvest Farms in Valatie.
Lori Van Buren/Times Union
Best apple orchard: Third place in 2022, 2020 and 2019; runner-up in 2021, 2018, 2017 and 2016
In the Hudson Valley’s Best contest, Golden Harvest placed second for best cidery and third for best orchard.
Address: 3074 Route 9, Valatie
Phone: 518-758-7683
Website: goldenharvestfarms.com
BEST OF THE CAPITAL REGION
Lakeside Farms
2022: Runner-up
Lakeside Farms in Ballston Lake.
Photos by Sara Tracey
Best apple orchard: Runner-up in 2022 and 2020
Address: 336 Schauber Road, Ballston Lake
Phone: 518-399-8359
Website: lakesidefarmscidermill.com
BEST OF THE CAPITAL REGION
Windy Hill Orchard East
2022: Runner-up
Scott Seeberger, co-owner of Windy Hill Orchard, walks down a row of his Mcintosh apple trees in Castleton.
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union
Best apple orchard: Runner-up in 2022 and 2021
Address: 1297 Brookview Station Road, Castleton
Phone: 518-732-7753
Website: facebook.com/windyhillorchardnyeast/
BEST OF THE CAPITAL REGION
Altamont Orchards
Best apple orchard: Runner-up in 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016
Address: 6654 Dunnsville Road, Altamont
Phone: 518-861-6515
Website: altamontorchards.com
BEST OF THE CAPITAL REGION
Saratoga Apple Orchard & Farm Stand
Grace Donahue, 11 months, of Queensbury sinks her teeth into an apple at Saratoga Apple Farm in Schuylerville in 2018.
Skip Dickstein/Times Union
Best apple orchard: Runner-up in 2019
Address: 1174 State Route 29, Schuylerville
Phone: 518-695-3131
Website: saratogaapple.com
