A 30- to 40-minute drive northwest of Syracuse takes you to apple country near the southern shores of Lake Ontario. There are many orchards to choose from but our favorite is the family-run Apple Grove Farm. It's best to call during the season to see what varieties they are picking . It's very user-friendly - you can drive right up to a row of trees and easily pick of bushel of apples. A few samples along the way are allowed, of course.
After you have picked enough apples, head into the farm store where the aroma of freshly baked bread and pies awaits. Donuts and cookies are also baked on premises and, recently, BBQ chickens were added on weekends. There's a large selection of jams, preserves, dipping oils, flavored vinegars, salsas, honey, pickles, baking mixes, and popcorn. Most are locally produced, but some products are shipped from Texas and Arkansas. Fresh cider is made in fall and there's aged cheddar to go with your apples. Bags of apples and other seasonal produce are for sale as well.
It's worth the drive to the country on a crisp fall day.