If you’re dreaming of a fun fall road trip filled with apple-picking, mountain views, and all the cider donuts you can eat — we’ve got the perfect spot for your Charleston family.

Sky Top Orchard in Zirconia, NC is just over 4 hours from Charleston and totally worth the drive. This family-run orchard has been helping families make memories for generations — and the fall fun here is next-level.

Here’s everything Charleston families need to know to plan an unforgettable visit!

Watch! Things to Do at Sky Top

Family Fun at Sky Top Orchard

Sky Top planted its first trees back in 1967 and opened to the public in 1980. Since then, it’s become a tradition for so many families across the Carolinas — including plenty of Lowcountry families who make the scenic drive each fall.

Here’s what makes Sky Top a favorite:

• More than 100 acres of fruit trees (apples, peaches, and grapes!)
• Open 7 days a week during the fall season
• All activities are available on weekdays too (yes, even the fun stuff!)
• Family-run with longtime employees who treat guests like old friends

This isn’t just a pretty orchard — it’s a place built around connection, tradition, and family.

Things to do at Sky Top Orchard

Pick Apples

Of course, you’ll want to pick apples while at Sky Top! They offer almost two dozen different kinds of apples, including Gala, Honeycrisp, Candy Crisp, Jonagold, Pink Lady, Cortland, and Mutsu. They have both pre-picked apples and bags that you can buy to go to the orchard and pick your own. The biggest bag they offer will hold between 15-20 pounds of apples and is $30. Prepay at the barn or in the orchard and then go picking! If you have a certain variety you are waiting on, visit their website to see which apples are currently available.

Apple Cannon

If I could stay in one place in the orchard all day long, it would be at the apple cannon. There’s something about shooting apples at targets that is both relaxing and exhilarating. I don’t even know why it’s so fun, but it is, and you should definitely do it. My daughters and I absolutely loved trying to hit the targets and smash the apples. At the end of the day, the goats are released to the field where all the shot apples are at for dinner so it’s a win-win. The cost is $7 for 8 apples.

Playground

The big playground has houses to play in, slides, and giant apples to hide in. Most of it all fenced in as well, which is awesome for parents trying to herd their kids. The play area is free to visit.

Bee Train

The bee train is adorable and kids love riding around in it and they all just look so cute and happy. The suggested age to ride is 3+. The ride is $4/person.

Bamboo Forest

I didn’t really expect a bamboo forest at an apple orchard but there it was so I checked it out. It’s fun to run around and hide amongst the super tall bamboo trees (are they called trees?). The forest is free to visit and located next to the barn and gem mine.

Gem Mining

If the kids want to sort through some dirt and sand to find gems, they can certainly do that at Sky Top. And perhaps even cooler is that there’s a history of actual Zircon mining near Sky Top, which you can read about here. The cost of gem mining is based on bucket size.

Hayride

Take a hayride around the orchard and soak up the views of the mountains against the apple trees. It’s gorgeous! The ride lasts about 10-15 minutes and cost $3/person.

Observation Tower

We loved the views from the three-story observation deck at Sky Top. You can see all the gorgeous mountain views plus get a great shot of the orchard from the top. It’s free to climb and near the back parking area.

Animal Barn

Sky Top has an unusual animal at the barn: a peacocks. Several of them actually. They are so pretty! You can purchase animal feed ($3) if you want to feed the ducks, peacocks, bunnies, or turkey.

What to Eat at Sky Top

Sky Top Orchard has added some tasty treats this year and have plans to add even more to the menu.

Apple Cider Donuts

No surprise here but the orchard churns out some pretty amazing apple cider donuts. They are absolutely delicious and hot and sweet and soft and all the good things that you would imagine a cider donut to be. Get a dozen. Or several.

Apple Pies

You can get both a fried apple pie and a baked one to take home. They are all made right at the orchard.

Pizza

New in 2025 is Pie in the Sky Pizza shop at the orchard. The pizza is made at the orchard and they offer a cheese or pepperoni pizza. Karolyn has worked at the apple orchard for 18 years and she is the one who stretches out your pizza and makes the magic happen in the kitchen and just loves to serve guests. She’s loving the new pizza parlor! As a pizza snob myself, this pizza was pretty good. It was nice and cheesy and filling. Yum.

Apple Cider Slushie with Soft Serve

Also new in 2025 is the cider slushie with soft service ice cream. This is absolutely delicious and is topped with a donut. Your eyes will eat this creation first as it’s so pretty. And it does not disappoint – absolutely a must-try at Sky Top.

Sparkling Cider

Yet another 2025 product is the sparkling cider made at Sky Top. I’m not a huge fan of sparkling water or soda but this….this I could drink every day. I don’t know what it was that made me want to have it all the time but it was darn good. The flavor is exactly like the apple cider sold at the orchard and the bubbles aren’t overpowering.

Farmers Market

The small farmers market inside the barn has some awesome items for sale: local honey right from the bees at the orchard, jams, and jellies. They also have pottery from local makers that is gorgeous and comes with apple recipes.

Accessibility & Crowds

Good news for stroller and wheelchair users: there’s a new paved path from the barn to the apple cannon. Sky Top has also spread out food stations and added multiple payment spots to reduce lines.

And while crowds can be an issue at any apple orchard during the fall season, Sky Top has spread out their space where you can purchase pre-paid bags at more than just one location. The pizza place and cider slushie spot are further apart and overflow parking are at multiple areas, just follow the signs.

Tips for visiting Sky Top

• Be sure to check out Sky Top’s FAQs for tips before you visit.
• Visit on a weekday if possible — it’s way less crowded.
• Wear comfy walking shoes (some apple rows are far out).
• They have real bathrooms — including a family restroom with a changing table!
• Leashed pets allowed in the orchard (but not inside the barn).
• Credit cards accepted almost everywhere (donut hut still takes cash).

Ready for a Fall Road Trip?

Charleston families, if you’re looking for a full day of family fun, sweet treats, and apple-picking joy, Sky Top Orchard is a can’t-miss fall destination.

🍎 What’s your family’s favorite fall tradition? Let us know in the comments!

Here is their picking schedule (which lists available varieties).

Sky Top Orchard is open 7 days a week from 9 am – 6 pm starting September 1. From mid-August to August 31, they are open daily 9 am – 5 pm.

Want to see more apple picking options nearest Charleston?

Check out our Apple Orchard Guide with U-Pick: Charleston, SC

Has your family experienced Sky Top Orchard yet?