There are so many great things about fall in Middlebury, Vermont. The weather is the perfect mix of cool in the evening and warm during the day, the leaves are changing colors, and best of all, the apple orchards are open and producing local apples, apple cider, and oh so delicious cider donuts!
We want our guests here at the Swift House Inn to experience, to taste, what our local orchards have to offer even if they don’t have time to make their way to one of the many orchards. We purchase cider, apples, and donuts from Happy Valley Orchard, just five minutes and a couple turns away, and make them available to guests complimentary. Need a mid-day healthy snack? Stop by and grab an apple from our parlor near the complimentary Keurig coffee. If available (they are very popular!), try one of the cider donuts at breakfast and/or order apple cider instead of your usual orange juice.
Happy Valley Orchard prides themselves in the great variety of apples they grow. In addition to the traditional varieties like McIntosh, Empire, Cortland, Gala, and Red Delicious, they also grow heirlooms and lesser known varieties like Northern Spy, Keepsake, Spitzenburg, Russet, Vermont Gold, Rhode Island Greening, Newtown Pippin, Jonathan, Winesap, and many others. Confused about what to buy? Ask an employee and they’d be happy to help you find your new favorite apple.
They make cider donuts fresh daily; they go quickly so stop in early! Happy Valley is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week September through November. Along with cider (freshly pressed at the orchard), donuts, and apples, they sell a variety of produce and products from local growers. In September and October, bring the family along and pick your own apples. It’s a satisfying experience to pick out your favorite apples yourself and a great fall tradition.
For those of age: Happy Valley Orchard presses the cider that Citizen Cider, based in Burlington, Vermont, ferments for their hard apple cider. Happy Valley and Citizen Cider are teaming up to host a fall party on Saturday, October 7, from noon to 6:00 p.m. Enjoy apple picking, cider tastings, cider donuts, food trucks, Drop in Brewing Company beer and music by Steady Betty. Admission is free and kids and dogs are welcome. It’s a great way to celebrate this year’s harvest and have some fun!
Happy Valley: 217 Quarry Road, Middlebury, Vermont 802-388-2411
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