This Upstate NY Apple Orchard Was Named Third Best in the USA

According to new rankings from USA Today, Central New York is home to one of the best apple orchards in the United States!

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Suppose you’re up for a lazy weekend drive to an impressive apple orchard where you’ll no doubt make memories to last a lifetime with your family. In that case, the third best apple orchard in the United States just so happens to be located right outside of Syracuse.

According to the U.S. Apple Association, there are over 5,000 growers who produce apples in the United States and USA Today asked its readers to chime in on which orchards are the best in the county.

USA Today organized a panel of experts who put together a list of the top 20 apple orchards in the country and then the publication asked its readers to vote on the 20 selected in order to dwindle the list down to the top ten best.

The apple orchard that received the most votes from USA Today readers is Milburn Orchards in Elkton, Maryland. Also on the list were apple orchards in Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Maine, North Carolina, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. However, only one apple orchard in New York made the list of the top ten and that orchard is located in LaFayette, a suburb of Syracuse.

According to USA Today readers, the number three best apple orchard in the United States is Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards. Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards has been family owned and operated since 1911 and according to the magazine, it draws in hoards of visitors each season for its apples, of course, but also for other fun events including music, entertainment, and more.

19 Top Cideries in Upstate New York For Your (Cider)-Bucket List!

On the heels of the craft beer explosion in Upstate New York, here come the cideries! Hard cider venues are the fastest growing small agri-business in the region. For those who like a sweeter experience than craft beer, we have offered up a list of 19 great cideries to get your taste buds buzzing in the spring and summer. Not only are these places producing award-winning hard ciders in many flavors, they also source their products from our region's fabled apple orchards. And for the most part, each of these places are located in beautiful, rural places in our state and offer all sorts of fun amenities.

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio

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30 "Head Scratching" Trivia Facts About Upstate New York

There are so many fascinating trivia facts about Upstate New York that one could write a book about it. Here are 30 interesting factoids about our region that will leave you scratching your head!

Everything had to start somewhere and Upstate New York was the birthplace of many commonly used items today and over the past 150 years. Things we love, like Pyrex dishware, things we play with, like the golf tee, and things we would rather not find ourselves sitting in, the modern dentist chair! Plus the 4th most favorite salad dressing in the US was born here, and America's favorite whipped topping is made here, too! All of these and many other trivial facts about people, places and things from Upstate New York make this a "must-read" gallery!

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio