Where to Find the Best of Your Favorite Fall Foods

There's nothing like sipping on a cup of warm apple cider when it starts to get chilly in the fall. So what's the difference between our favorite seasonal beverage and plain old apple juice? Well for starters, apple juice is typically pasteurized, while apple cider isn't. This means that apple juice has a longer shelf life and is a year-round product, whereas apple cider is typically very fresh, seasonal, and full of pulp. So which state the best fall cider? Well, there are small farms all over the country that make great cider, from Michigan to Washington State… but New Hampshire is the only state has dubbed the drink its official state beverage, so it automatically wins. Check out the Cider Co. in Glen, New Hampshire for fresh pressed cider from September through December in a beautiful 1890s farmhouse environment. The property also boasts a modern restaurant, a deli, and a country store.


Our Hotel Pick:Attitash Mountain Village

Okay, while we're on the subject of apple cider… how could we not mention apple cider donuts?! Apple cider donuts are a New England fall staple, sold fresh at farm stands and grocery stores in the region all autumn long. If you've never had these donuts before, you have to get your hands on some this season -- trust us, they will become one of your all-time favorites. The donuts can vary a bit between different states and farms, but they're all characterized by a soft texture, and the lightly spiced flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and, of course, apple cider. They usually come in two different varieties, sugared (covered in a cinnamon-sugar coating) and non-sugared…we'll let you take a wild guess which ones we recommend. Check out Atkins Farm in Amherst, Massachusetts for award-winning apple cider donuts; the ones here were named among the top 10 donuts in the country! And in the fall the farm churns out about 10,000 per day. 


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Though the origins of apple pie can be traced all the way back to Europe in the 1300s, it's safe to say that the humble dessert is now largely associated with the U.S. The flaky pastry dish was brought to America by the British, Dutch and Swedes during the 17th and 18th centuries, and then we probably have Thanksgiving to thank for making it an American icon. Since apple pie is a favorite nationwide, it's hard to give any one region credit for having the best. But if you find yourself in the Dallas area you absolutely have to check out Emporium Pies. This bakery serves up a variation on classic apple pie called the "Lord of The Pies"…and it's basically amazing. This decadent pie is a deep-dish confection made of buttery crust filled with a whopping 10 apples (most recipes call for eight) that are tossed in rich house-made caramel and covered with a cinnamon streusel. Yeah, we know. If the folks at Emporium can't take care of your all-American pie cravings, we don't know who can. 


Our Hotel Pick:Hotel ZaZa

Okay so real talk -- there are two types of people in the U.S… those who choose pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, and those who choose apple. Now for the former group, the fall is filled with tons of comforting, rich pumpkin desserts and beverages that remind us of the harvest time and the changing of the seasons. But as much as we love pumpkin bread, pumpkin cheesecake, and pumpkin fudge, does it really get any better than just a plain ole pumpkin pie? Michele's Pies in Norwalk, Connecticut is the pumpkin pie master, and it's not just any award-winning pie-shop…it has won 27 first-place national pie competitions since 2007. The secret to it's fame-inducing pumpkin pie? The bakers add grade B Vermont maple syrup to the pumpkin mixture and blanket the top with pecan streusel. The shop has been featured on TV outlets from Good Morning America to the Today Show, so to say it's a hot commodity is an understatement.


Now's the time to enjoy the best fall activities >>

As much as we love and look forward to these amazing fall goodies -- like donuts and cider -- all spring and summer long, all of it is eaten with the understanding that it's leading up the the ultimate culmination of autumn: Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving marks the end of the fall season, the joining of families, and the sharing of recipes and love. There's nothing better than mom's stuffing, grandma's cranberry sauce, and all of those yummy desserts! Luckily for us Thanksgiving meal fiends, the ultimate all-American meal has become trendy in restaurants all over the country. What's better than that? You can find Thanksgiving dinner-inspired dishes all fall long! But get this, there's one restaurant in Ohio that's taking the dedication to Thanksgiving to the next level. Introducing: TGD (Thanksgiving Dinner) in Canton, Ohio, a fast-casual restaurant that serves up a classic Thanksgiving meal 365 days a year, 7 days a week. We don't know about you, but we definitely wish we lived closer to one of these!


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Just being honest!