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Take A Bite Out of Fall With a Trip To Indian Ladder Farms

posted by Teresa Farrell at 2018-09-24 23:10:00

When the seasons begin to change and the hot summer sun starts to give way to cool breeze and changing leaves, many people are all too excited to turn their attention to autumn and all that comes with it—including apple picking season. In the Capital Region, fall fun and apple picking are essentially synonymous with Indian Ladder Farms.


Indian Ladder Farms is located in Altamont, west of Albany, at the base of the Helderberg Escarpment, which creates a gorgeous panorama of colors when the leaves change. As with nearby John Boyd Thacher State Park, the backdrop of the escarpment is perfect for a day of quintessential fall farm activities, all of which can be found at this family-favorite location that’s been a staple for generations in the Capital Region. In fact, this historic farm has been going strong for over 100 years.


While the farm is open during the spring and summer too, fall is the time it truly shines. Visitors come in droves for their famous homemade apple cider and cider donuts, which are known for being a regional favorite. On fall weekends, you can pick your own apples in designated areas of the orchard, with a different selection of the dozen varieties they grow available for picking each weekend, or pick your own pumpkins throughout the fall as well. If you don’t want to do the work yourself, you can buy pre-picked apples and pumpkins in the on-site farm market and store, along with plenty of other local products like honey, maple syrup, jams and jellies, salsas and sauces, cheeses, yogurts and milk, and homegrown seasonal vegies as well. The kid-friendly atmosphere offers tots the chance to test out fun toys in the gift shop as well, which also offers soaps, lotions, candles, jewelry, tools and gadgets, ornaments, books, cooking accessories, and much, much more.


The on-site Yellow Rock Café serves lunch throughout the week and both lunch and brunch on weekends, with a delightful menu that features freshness at the forefront of its soups, salads, sandwiches, snacks, specialty drinks and desserts. This is also the home of Indian Ladder Farms Cidery and Brewery, which produces homemade craft beers and ciders using local ingredients, from fruit ingredients like apple, berry, pumpkin and pear to beer basics like hops and barley, grown either right here on the farm or very close by. Stop by the tasting room to sample, enjoy beer or hard cider by the glass, or take home a growler or 4-pack.


Whether you’re looking for a fall date idea, a weekend with the family, or just a fun excursion with friends, make sure to include a trip to Indian Ladder Farms on your autumn itinerary this fall to get a taste of the tradition that really marks the beginning of fall in Albany.


PHOTO CREDITS
apple tree photo credit dean morley
gourds photo credit tobi elkin
cider donut photo credit kirybabe
pumpkins photo credit rich orris
apples photo credit rik-shaw
 

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