Apples, apples and more apples! Grab some in the market, or come pick your own every September and October.
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R & A Orchards

4.7
·1k reviews·Ellijay, United States

Pick your own apples & flowers, savor delicious fried pies, and explore a bountiful farm market with scenic mountain views.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more peaceful

CrowdLow
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Apples, apples and more apples! Grab some in the market, or come pick your own every September and October.

R & A Orchards

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more peaceful

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Pick your own apples & flowers, savor delicious fried pies, and explore a bountiful farm market with scenic mountain views.

4.7
(1k reviews)

"LOVE this place! It's my favorite orchard in Elijay. They have UPick flowers and apples!"

Vertical photo
TIP

🥧 Don't Miss the Fried Pies!

The fried apple pies are a crowd favorite and absolutely delicious. Grab one (or two!) from the bakery.

🌸 Pick Your Own Flowers

From August to October, enjoy picking beautiful flowers with scenic mountain views.

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.7 · 1,435 reviews

Type

Farm

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

U-Pick Apple Orchards

U-Pick Apple Orchards

Orchard fields

Wander through rows of apple trees and pick your own fresh, crisp apples. A quintessential fall experience!

Fried Apple Pies & Bakery Delights

Fried Apple Pies & Bakery Delights

Market & Bakery

Indulge in warm, delicious fried apple pies and a variety of other sweet treats. A must-try!

U-Pick Flower Fields

U-Pick Flower Fields

Flower fields

From August to October, pick vibrant flowers with stunning mountain views as your backdrop.

Farm Market & Cafe

Farm Market & Cafe

Market and Cafe

Explore a wide selection of fresh produce, local goods, and enjoy a meal at their charming cafe.

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Planning Your Visit

Timing is Everything for Peak Produce

R & A Orchards offers U-Pick apples and flowers seasonally. For the freshest produce and best U-Pick experience, plan your visit during peak harvest times. Check their website or social media for the most up-to-date information on what's in season and available for picking.

Beat the Crowds & Festival Frenzy

While festivals can be fun, they also bring significant crowds and traffic. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, consider visiting on a weekday or outside of major festival dates. This will help you avoid long lines and enjoy the orchards at a more leisurely pace.

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Crowd
Low
When
August - October
Why
U-Pick apples & flowers
Crowd
Medium
When
During festivals
Why
Lively atmosphere
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

reddit.com

Apple Picking

Hi! I saw someone post last year about Fall activites but the post is archived. Does anyone know of places to go apple picking? I've seen some up in Elijay but was wondering if there was anywhere closer? Edit: I found this link as well with some apple picking places:…

🥧 Don't Miss the Fried Pies!

The fried apple pies are a crowd favorite and absolutely delicious. Grab one (or two!) from the bakery. Reddit

🌸 Pick Your Own Flowers

From August to October, enjoy picking beautiful flowers with scenic mountain views. Reddit

reddit.com

Ellijay, but not for the festival

I’m thinking of taking my family up to Ellijay to go apple picking this weekend, but I know the Apple festival is this weekend too. Last year I saw that the traffic is awful, is it bad enough that it causes an hour plus delay? I’m already 2 hours from Ellijay as it is. TIA!

reddit.com

A warning to avoid the Georgia Apple Festival

$10 admission (which pays for the porta-potties? You don’t get anything else), horrible traffic, no shade, limited free parking, with the only other option being cash-only parking at a school a mile away and a school bus shuttle (with tip jar!) to get to the fairgrounds, long…

🍎 Variety of Apples Available

They offer a great selection of apple varieties for picking and purchasing. Reddit

🚗 Easy Parking & Access

Parking is generally easy and accessible, making your visit more convenient. Reddit

reddit.com

Apple (or any fruit) picking?

Hello! I was wondering if anyone knows where I can pick apples (or any other fruit) at an orchard? I know there are some in Georgia, but it’s a pretty long trip. Any information would help! Thank you :)

Tips

from all over the internet

🥧 Don't Miss the Fried Pies!

The fried apple pies are a crowd favorite and absolutely delicious. Grab one (or two!) from the bakery. Reddit

🌸 Pick Your Own Flowers

From August to October, enjoy picking beautiful flowers with scenic mountain views. Reddit

🍎 Variety of Apples Available

They offer a great selection of apple varieties for picking and purchasing. Reddit

🚗 Easy Parking & Access

Parking is generally easy and accessible, making your visit more convenient. Reddit

☕ Cafe for a Bite

Enjoy lunch or snacks at their cafe, offering food, coffee, and other refreshments. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.7
(1k reviews)

Reviews Summary

R & A Orchards is a beloved destination, praised for its fresh produce, delicious bakery items like fried apple pies, and engaging U-Pick experiences for apples and flowers. Visitors appreciate the friendly atmosphere, scenic beauty, and family-friendly activities. While generally positive, some visitors note that festivals can lead to crowds and traffic.

"This store had a large selection of apples to choose from. In addition to the apples there is a bakery with delicious Fried Apple Pies and many more sweets. Out of all of the stores we visited today I believe this one had the largest selection of produce.

I highly recommend R & A Orchards for your next visit to this area."

Kenneth Davis

"LOVE this place! It's my favorite orchard in Elijay. They have UPick flowers from August to October as well as UPick apples. Their market is very reasonable and their hands held 🥧 pies are delicious 😋! They even have a café that sells food, coffee and other snacks. I will definitely be back!"

Lori Casal

"We loved walking through the Apple trees and flower fields. We went on a pretty busy Saturday during the Apple festival but the lines took about ten minutes to get through. The cheese sour dough and fried apple pie were delicious!! I would definitely visit again!"

Alexis Brianna

What People Like

Delicious fried apple pies
U-Pick apples and flowers
Fresh produce selection

What People Dislike

Crowds during festivals
Traffic during events

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

R & A Orchards is located in Ellijay, Georgia. It's easily accessible by car, offering a scenic drive from surrounding areas. Many visitors find it a great day trip destination from Atlanta. Reddit

Yes, R & A Orchards offers easy and accessible parking for visitors, making it convenient to access the market and orchards. Reddit

Public transportation options are limited in the Ellijay area. Visiting R & A Orchards is best done with a personal vehicle or by arranging a ride-share service. Reddit

The drive to R & A Orchards is often described as scenic, especially as you get closer to the North Georgia mountains. Reddit

Ellijay is known as the 'Apple Capital of Georgia,' so you can explore other local orchards or enjoy the mountain scenery. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Entry to the market and general grounds is typically free. However, specific activities like U-Pick or tractor rides may have associated costs. It's best to check their official channels for current pricing. Reddit

Operating hours can vary seasonally, especially for U-Pick activities. It's recommended to check their website or social media for the most accurate and up-to-date hours of operation before your visit. Reddit

While the market is free to enter, U-Pick activities like apples or flowers usually have a fee associated with the produce you pick. Tractor rides may also have a separate charge. Reddit

For general entry to the market, advance tickets are not usually required. If specific events or activities require pre-booking, it will typically be announced on their website. Reddit

Policies on pets can vary. It's advisable to contact R & A Orchards directly or check their website for their most current pet policy before bringing your furry friends. Reddit

🎫 🍎 Onsite Experience

You can enjoy U-Pick apples and flowers (seasonally), browse a wide selection of produce and goods at the market, indulge in delicious baked goods like fried apple pies, and dine at their cafe. Tractor rides are also a popular activity. Reddit

Absolutely! Kids love the U-Pick experience, tractor rides, and the variety of treats available. It's a great spot for family outings and making memories. Reddit

The market offers a large selection of fresh produce, including apples, peaches, watermelons, cabbage, and more, depending on the season. They also have local jams, honey, and other specialty items. Reddit

Adults can enjoy the scenic beauty of the orchards and flower fields, sample local produce, enjoy the cafe, and appreciate the farm-to-table experience. Reddit

Many visitors enjoy taking a tractor ride through the orchards, followed by U-Picking their favorite fruits or flowers. Exploring the market and enjoying a treat from the bakery is also highly recommended. Reddit

🍽️ 🍰 Food & Dining

R & A Orchards features a cafe that serves food, coffee, and snacks. Their bakery is famous for its delicious fried apple pies and other sweets. Reddit

Yes, the fried apple pies are a highly recommended treat and a signature item at R & A Orchards. Many visitors rave about them. Reddit

The farm market at R & A Orchards has a large selection of fresh produce, including apples, peaches, and seasonal vegetables, perfect for taking home. Reddit

Beyond their famous fried apple pies, the bakery often offers a variety of other delicious baked goods and sweets. Reddit

Based on reviews, the cafe is considered reasonably priced, offering good value for the quality of food. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The U-Pick flower fields, especially during bloom, offer vibrant colors. The apple orchards themselves provide beautiful rustic backdrops, and the scenic mountain views add to the photographic appeal. Reddit

Yes, photography is generally welcomed in the orchards and public areas of R & A Orchards. Capture the beauty of the produce and the landscape. Reddit

Early morning or late afternoon often provide the best lighting for photography, with softer light and fewer harsh shadows. Reddit

The U-Pick flower fields, especially with the mountain backdrop, are a prime spot. Also, consider photos with your picked apples or at the charming cafe. Reddit

Professional camera equipment is usually permitted for personal use. If you plan a commercial shoot, it's best to contact R & A Orchards in advance to confirm their policy. Reddit

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