Okay, let me tell you how I actually stumbled upon McCormack Farms this season and why it totally surprised me. Wasn’t even the plan, you know?
The Unplanned Detour
Honestly? My Saturday was supposed to be boring errands. Groceries, maybe clean the garage. Ugh. Then I saw a little sign near the highway exit – “McCormack Farms: Fresh Apples & Pumpkins!” With a picture that looked… surprisingly not cheesy. Thought, what the heck, need a break anyway, let’s check it out.
I pulled off onto this winding country road. Drove past a few fields, then bam! Sunlight was pouring in, rolling hills of fruit trees and pumpkins patches spread out. First thing that hit me? The sheer size and how clean everything looked. We’ve all been to messy, overcrowded patches before. Not here. Felt welcoming immediately, kinda organized chaos? Like someone actually cared. Parked easily – free parking right off the bat, nice.
Wandering Into Goodness
Just started walking. Didn’t need a map or anything. Headed towards the main barn first. Inside? Oh man. Their farm store is next level. Not just a few shelves with dusty jams. We’re talking walls lined with apple varieties I’ve never even heard of, each with little taste notes. Grabbed a basket. Staff lady with an apron saw me looking confused and offered slices of like, three different kinds. Ended up buying way too many Honeycrisps and some weird one called a Rubinette – turns out amazing for pies!
Walked out the barn and smelled something fantastic. Wood smoke and sweetness. Followed my nose to the fire pits near the orchard. Hands down, the best apple cider I’ve had fresh off the farm. They were mulling it right there in huge cauldrons, ladling it into cups. Hot, not too sweet, with a cinnamon kick. Sat on a hay bale, watched kids chase chickens nearby. Just… peaceful. Realized I hadn’t looked at my phone in like, an hour? That says something.
The Pumpkin Patch Adventure (& More)
Full of cider and ready to move, I headed towards the pumpkins. Again, impressive selection. Not just the standard orange giants, but all shapes, sizes, colors – whites, blues, weird bumpy ones. Loads of folks taking pictures. Found the perfect pie pumpkin pretty quick.
Then saw the corn maze entrance. Looked huge and actually intricate, like something from a kid’s adventure book, not just cut rows. Families seemed genuinely into it, not just dragging through. You could hear kids yelling clues at each other. Didn’t go in myself (that hot cider was making me lazy!), but loved the atmosphere.
On the way back to the car, stumbled upon their little petting zoo area. Goats trying to eat people’s shirt hems, rabbits bigger than my cat. Simple, but man, the kids were losing their minds laughing. Saw signs for tractor rides out to the far orchards too – another thing I filed away for next time with visiting family.
Why You Should Just Go
So, driving home, pumpkin rolling around the trunk, apples smelling up the car… I realized why McCormack stuck out:
- They get the vibe right. It feels authentic, not manufactured. Like a working farm that actually wants you to see how cool farming is.
- Top-notch stuff. From the cider to the apple selection to how they keep the place – quality screams through.
- Easy, relaxing atmosphere. No stress finding parking, navigating crowds, or paying for every little thing. Felt wholesome.
- Stuff for everyone, truly. Foodie? Apple tasting. Kid wrangler? Animals and maze. Just wanna chill? Hay bale + cider. Covers bases.
- That seasonal magic. They capture that fall feeling perfectly. Warm drinks, crisp air, golden light. Does the soul good.
Didn’t expect to spend half my day there, honestly. Came home energized, not drained. Kids didn’t even cry when we left? That’s saying something. Definitely putting this down as a seasonal must-do. Worth the detour, promise.
