Please note: This post was written in 2018, and while it should still give you a good idea of the overall experience, it may also contain some outdated information. For the most up-to-date information, please visit their website.
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If you have been following our blog for a while, then you know that we looooove fruit picking outings at Out and About Mom. And if you’ve been reading all about our fruit picking outings, then you know that we always always always recommended following the Facebook pages of your favorite PYO destinations.
That is how I discovered last Sunday night that Honey Crisp apples are in season at Dondero Orchards in Glastonbury! And just like that, I knew exactly what we would be doing the next morning 🙂
Now, Dondero is not new to our blog. We’ve been there before. And blogged about it too, of course. Mandy first went there ages ago for strawberry picking. And we were back to visit again during the season we made regular appearances on Better Connecticut.
But that doesn’t mean that Dondero isn’t new to you 🙂
So anyway, we headed out early that morning to avoid the impending heat. Dondero has two locations, one on Hebron Avenue and another on Woodland Street. We were visiting the latter today.
Source: Google Maps
You can still find a lot of great information about this PYO destination from Mandy’s original post, but I thought today I would give you a few updated photos and some new information about new events and offerings.
As I mentioned earlier, today we were there for the Honey Crisp apples, one of my family’s favorites apple varieties!
But of course, those weren’t the only items available to pick. It’s such a great time to visit the orchard because you can take advantage of that overlap between late summer and early fall crops, and really come home with an entire fruit salad!
We grabbed a few bags from the store and headed down the dirt path at the far end of the parking area. The rows were clearly marked.
It was already a hot morning, so we were glad for all the shade in these lush green rows.
The trees were full of fruit, so we filled our bag in no time. Not feeling ready to head back quite yet, we decided to see if there were any peaches left for us. To my surprise, there were tons! I guess I always thought of peaches as a July thing. Not here!
When we had picked all we could carry, we headed back to the shop to weigh and pay. Credit cards are accepted, but it’s a $20 minimum. There is an ATM right there in the shop if you need it. But let me tell you, spend five minutes browsing all the yummy baked and canned goods and you won’t have any trouble meeting that minimum! Ha!
Afterwards, we had planned on grabbing coffee and apple cinnamon donuts and sitting outside at one of the picnic tables while the kids ran around the play area. But it was really too hot for hot coffee (and you know I don’t pass up coffee lightly!). So we settled for just donuts. But I can’t wait to come back during those cool fall days and enjoy a warm cup in the crisp air.
Ditto for this new Sunday morning apple pancake breakfast I heard about recently!
In the meantime, I did notice this ice cream menu though! Ahhh, New England. Where seasons are just a suggestion 🙂
Happy unofficial fall, everyone!
Dondero Orchards
529 Woodland Street, South Glastonbury, CT (where we went); (860) 659-0294
3582 Hebron Avenue. Glastonbury, CT (their other location); (860) 430-2122
Hours:
Hours vary by season; please check their website for the most current information. (And don’t forget to check their Facebook page for the latest on crop availability and conditions!)
Details:
Stroller Friendly: YES
Coffee Mug Friendly: YES (But they also sell coffee!)
Restroom: YES (a real one inside the store and a porta potty outside too)
Baby Changing Station: NO
Parking: YES
Food for Sale: YES. Snacks for sale in the store; breakfast on Sundays through the fall season; I even saw a sign for lunch being served from 11-2!
Outside Food Allowed: I don’t think anyone would mind 🙂
Cash Required: Credit cards accepted but there is a $20 minimum. There is an ATM onsite.
Dress Code: The dirt road can be dusty, the grass can be damp, so choose your footwear accordingly. Also, it gets hot out there in the sun even on cool days! Hats can be useful.
Age Recommendations: All ages!
Evening/Weekend Hours: YES
Discounts: N/A
Birthday Party Venue: N/A
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