A Perfect Fall Day: Apple Picking with Tufts' Graduate Student Council
There’s something special about fall in New England. The air feels fresh, the trees look like they’re on fire with color, and everything smells faintly of cinnamon and adventure. When the Tufts Graduate Student Council announced an apple picking trip to Honey Pot Hill Orchards, I knew it was the perfect way to spend a Saturday.
The moment we arrived, we were greeted with hot apple cider and freshly fried donuts that were so good they disappeared in seconds. It was the kind of morning that makes you instantly happy to be outside. The sun was shining, the air felt cool and gentle, and everyone had that easy weekend smile.
Before heading to the orchards, some of us tried the lawn games near the entrance while sipping our cider. Then it was time for the main event. We wandered into rows and rows of apple trees, baskets in hand, surrounded by that faint crunch of leaves underfoot. The orchard even had new apple varieties this year, and yes, we might have taken a few “sample bites” straight from the tree in the name of curiosity.
Somewhere along the way, my friend and I discovered a quiet lake tucked behind the orchard. We dropped our bags, lay down on the grass, and just stared at the blue sky for a while. It was peaceful, like time had slowed down. You could hear the rustle of leaves, the distant laughter of other groups, and the occasional thud of an apple falling nearby.
After that calm moment, we made our way to the animal area, where we met goats, pigs, and a few surprisingly photogenic chickens. It felt like being back in childhood again, feeding animals and giggling over their tiny faces pressed against the fence.
The day ended at the farm store, which smelled like baked apples and honey. Shelves were stacked with jams, syrups, and spice mixes. I couldn’t resist buying one that you can use for tea or mulled wine — it felt like bottling up fall to take home. And just before leaving, we all grabbed candy apples, sticky and shiny and absolutely worth it.
By the time the bus pulled away, our bags were full of apples and our hearts were even fuller. It was one of those simple, golden days that you wish you could press between pages like a leaf and keep forever.