Tennessee isn't known for its apple orchards; you'll have to head up north to Michigan for that. But if you're from the north and aching for the crisp bite of an apple in the south, or if maybe you're tired of corn and peas and looking for the sweet tinge of fall, you can head out to Sevierville. The Apple Barn Cider Mill & Grocery store is a neat place for a day trip or a nostalgic jaunt down memory lane. Your kids will love it and your tastebuds will be happier for it.
The original Apple Barn was built in 1910, eventually becoming part of a farm that the Kilpatrick and Hicks family's purchased in 1972. Ever since the mid-70s, the farm has grown from a simple, family-owned space to fa full-on ode to apple orchards in the south. This is where you find your childhood.
The first apple trees were planted on the farm in 1976, and the farm now numbers over 4000. New trees are planted every single year, resulting in a beautiful space filled to the brim with fresh fruit.
The original cattle barn was even renovated in 1980. It has been scrubbed out completely, and its structural integrity has been preserved for generations to come. It was reborn as The Apple Barn, and opened to the public in 1981.
You can visit their Cider Bar, where you can not only sample hot and cold cider, but head on over to the Cider ROOM where you can watch it being made. It's a neat way for children to experience the beauty of Tennessee's agricultural underbelly first hand.
The whole farm is bursting with energy and true southern know-how. Every staff member you encounter will be able to speak to the history of the space, all while introducing you to the beauties of their fried apple pies and apple doughnuts. There's beauty in the old and new, as always.
You can indulge in a deluge of baked goods in the Apple Pie Kitchen, or enjoy a meal at the renowned Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant. There are two restaurants on the property, alongside their cider rooms and bakery. You really can't go wrong at the "complex apples built," now could you?
Make sure to take something home with you once you're ready to pack up and head home (if you ever are). You can stock up on apples or cider, enjoy doughnuts both here and on the way home. This family-owned operation will set you at ease immediately, and you'll want to take all your memories with you, in caloric form or no.
You can visit for yourself at 230 Apple Valley Road in Sevierville, Tennessee. Have fun making memories, friends!
What a sweet place to explore. Have you been? If you're looking for a bit more beauty, explore this tunnel of trees in Nashville. It's stunning!
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