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Thanksgiving is a lovely time of year. It's a happy time to be with family and friends. Some towns in America just encompass that Thanksgiving spirit, with a general feeling of warmth, comfort and home. These towns also have some fun fall activities, from cider mills to apple orchards to pumpkin picking. As it turns out, Florida has one of the best "Thanksgiving towns" in America.
The list comes from Country Living, who knows a lot about the coziest cities in America. "From apple picking to pretty porch spotting, embrace all the best things about fall in a new place this holiday," they state in the article. "Whether you spend a lot on a luxury resort or a little on a cheap place to visit during Thanksgiving, we guarantee you’ll be grateful for the new perspective, the shared memories, and a delicious slice of pie that you didn’t have to spend hours making yourself."
Before we get to our area, let's look at the No. 1 best Thanksgiving town in America. It's Charlottesville, Virginia. Of the spot, Country Living says, "Home to the University of Virginia, this picturesque college town offers a bucolic blend of historic buildings, rolling pastures, and plenty of wineries and cideries. Leave the cooking to the pros with a pre-fixe Thanksgiving dinner at Keswick Hall or The Quirk, then walk off your meal with a leisurely stroll along the pedestrian-only downtown Mall."
Florida Has One of the Best 'Thanksgiving Towns' in America
So, what about our state? Coming in at No. 35 is Key West, Florida. Country Living loves this spot as an alternative to a "normal" Thanksgiving, boasting, "How does a tropical paradise sound for Thanksgiving? The temperatures have settled down so it's balmy and lovely this time of year. Go diving and snorkeling, kayaking, swim with the dolphins, or just walk around and enjoy the ambience of this charming town." Find the full tally here.
Apple cider season is here. There's just something special about having apple cider in the fall. You can have it any season, but it just tastes better in the fall. What's more, if it's chilly out, it's extra delicious to have hot apple cider with a dash of cinnamon. So, what are some of the bets spots for apple cider in America? Florida has one of them.
Before we get to today's apple cider, let's look at some of the interesting history of apple cider. According to Washington State University, the very "first recorded references to cider date back to Roman times," and, "in 55 BCE Julius Caesar found the Celtic Britons fermenting cider from native crabapples. The people of northern Spain were making sidra before the birth of Christ." That's so wild to think about.
Moreover, according to SmithsonianMag.com, "Evidence of apple trees growing along the banks to the Nile River can be found dating back to about 1300 B.C., but there's no evidence that ancient Egyptians ever used them for cider. However, considering how much the Egyptians enjoyed beer (and that they were one of the first cultures to brew it), they did have some notion of the joys of fermenting alcoholic beverages."
In other words, apple cider dates back a long, long time. In fact, apples are as old as time, really. Remember the Biblical story where Eve at the apple? There you have it. Even though apples are very ancient, the way that we eat them today is not. There are so many different ways to enjoy apples and apple cider in the fall. With that in mind, let's get into the best apple cider in the U.S. What's your favorite spot to get local apple cider? Reach out to us on social media and give us your picks.
Florida Has One of the Best Spots for Apple Cider in America
Linvilla Orchards in Pennsylvania
Linvilla Orchards is located in Media, Pennsylvania, about 30 minutes south of Philadelphia. It's a favorite local spot to get apple cider every fall. In addition to apple cider, Linvilla has their legendary Apple Cider Doughnuts. Oh, my.
Franklin Cider Mill in Michigan
If you haven't tried the honey crisp apple cider at Franklin Cider Mill, then you haven't experienced fall. This cider mill, located in Bloomfield Hills, is close to Detroit. It's a super fun spot for fall activities.
Apple Hill Orchard & Cider Mill in North Carolina
You'll find delicious, fresh cider at Apple Hill Orchard & Cider Mill in Morganton, North Carolina. They, of course, make their own cider by pressing their fresh apples and turning it into yummy cider. They even offer it hot or as a slushie.
Mercier Orchards in Georgia
Mercier Orchards are a fourth generation family and veteran-owned and operated apple orchard. They were founded back in 1943. They offer amazing cider, as well as other fresh treats, such as baked goods and fruit. They're located in Blue Ridge, Georgia.
Bedner's Farm Fresh Market in Florida
"Our mission at Bedner's Farm Fresh Market is to bring our customers a variety of locally grown produce," Bedner's Farm Fresh Market states on their social media pages. Located in Boynton Beach, Florida, this spot is known for its great cider and the annual Bedner's Fall Festival.