Highland Orchards

Stopped in to pick up a pie. The young woman behind the counter was mopping the floor. She came over and asked what we wanted. I literally asked her to wash her hands before helping us… she refused saying «my hands are clean.» Really? You were just mopping a floor and you’re insisting you know everywhere that mop handle has been and that both it and your hands are clean? Bizarre.
Wash your freaking hands.

We went here on 10÷11÷15 for apple picking, and had a great time! We arrived sometime around 11:30am. Yes, it was crowded (if my review was on parking alone, they would get one sad little star. Parking was terrible.). Yes, we did have to stand it line for what felt like forever with young children to board the tractor to the fields. BUT…
While we were there, they had multiple varieties for picking: Granny smith, Mutsu, Fugi, and Winesap. The first field we stopped at was populated by the first three. While the front of the orchard closest to the drop off had been picked clean, we did find quite a bit of fruit in the very back of the field. That’s okay, my kids and I needed to expend some energy. Our second stop was explained as «the pumpkin stop, with some apples», and this is where we struck gold. Since the majority of the folks going to this stop were focused on pumpkins, the apple groves were nearly empty. Our group of 7 hung out back there for nearly an hour completely undisturbed and the trees were so heavy laden with fruit that if we accidentally bumped a branch, dozens of apples would fall. We were able to fill our bags and snap some great photos of the kids. It was this experience that completely makes me a fan. I know $ 12 is a lot to spend for a tiny bag of apples, but it’s not JUST the apples we were paying for, it was the experience. Since we were lucky enough to find a nice little haven away from the bulk of the crowds, we thoroughly enjoyed that experience.
Once we got back to the farm buildings, there were indeed even more crowds. Our group ordered some hot dogs and hand-​scooped ice cream and did have to wait through a long line and then even longer to receive our food. The staff was pleasant, but clearly overwhelmed. The pumpkin ice cream is great, and highly recommended! The cider donuts are tasty and soft. The little playground was crawling with kids and, while we played for a few minutes, it was just too crowded for comfort. The other activities did look fun (included a little corn maze, scarecrow stuffing, etc), but we did not partake.
If I were to do it again I would take a full day off of work and go on a weekday, earlier in the morning. The weekend was too jam-​packed and had we not lucked out with our picking location, we wouldn’t have had such a good time.

Do not recommend coming here on a Saturday, or a Sunday. I think if there were about 50% less people, this place could be 3 stars. First, there is no parking, so we parked behind a near by factory place. They have a small playground, and some nice looking goats. There was also a paid portion that was fenced off for riding mini tractors, milking a fake cow, and I guess to go in the bouncy house. There is also a truck ride to the apple orchards. FYI… it was $ 28 per apple bag… yea…it was to fit about half a bushel. I’ve never seen a place charge for a bag like that to fill up, usually it’s always per pound. The saddest part was when we got to the orchard and there were barely any apples left, most were on the ground, and the ones we did get were not as good as the ones we got from Styer Orchards the day before. So everyone left with half of their $ 28 pre paid bag filled… definitely felt like a rip off. There is also a small convenience/​ice cream store. And also a larger specialty store with freshly made cider donuts. The cider donuts were really good… but not worth the 20 minute line out the door. The overall atmosphere, was crowded, overprices, stressed and annoyed parents with little kids everywhere, all trying to fulfill their standard «fall activity» weekend. A big pass for me. Check out Styer Orchards for a much nicer and more appealing experience! (alas with no donuts though).

I am extremely disappointed to have to write this, but customer service is too important to overlook. Since moving to WC in 2007, we have FAITHFULLY frequented Highland on a weekly basis for produce, baked goods, milk, eggs, and flowers. (See evidence from previous reviews)
Although prices are higher than grocery stores, it is important for us to support small businesses, and Highland is a close neighbor.
Today I was accused of stealing mums, and David, the owner, went so far as to take a photo of my license plate and face. When I produced the receipt, I was given a pathetic «oops sorry» and then was met with aggression and rudeness when I informed him I wanted to return the mums.
Dave, shame on you; you lost a loyal customer. Good thing Pete’s Produce is on my way home from work, and Distinctive Gardens has better prices on mums and MUCH better customer service. (I go there about 5 times a year AND they remember me!)

My husband and I went here for their pumpkin and apple picking. We also liked the bakery and cider. However it is not what it used to be. It seems very understaffed during the fall. It gets extremely PACKED throughout the entire premises. There is only one tiny, nasty bathroom for people to use. So if you go, use the bathroom before you go. There really isn’t anyone to ask for assistance with anything because they are running registers or behind the bakery counter. I think the bakery items are ok but not super. There are other places in Chester Co. or Lancaster Co. to pick your own.

Very good pies, well worth it to pick one up. Also good barbecue sauces and other items.

No hype here. The property manager is more than rude. After asking him to contact me over a serious matter, he refused. Pies are Mrs. T’s marked up considerably.

(3.5) ~ Good overall food & service. It’s small, but sells A LOT of pies;)
* Apple Cider Donuts ~ (3.5) good… although we decided to try them side-​by-​side with Northbrook (NB) Orchards and the unanimous winner was Northbrook. NB’s were Bigger, Softer & had more Cinnamon & sugar.

I organized a group tour here for October of 2014. Overall the tour was a disappointment. It was disorganized and we had to wait for over 30 minutes for the hayride portion.
The biggest disappointment wasn’t even the tour, it was how it was handled afterward. When I emailed them to tell them some of my concerns, it took them 9 days to respond. The response basically said that there was nothing they could have done to make it better and there wasn’t anything they were going to do now. Obviously they care very little for their customers which is a shame. I will not take my family back and I will never organize another group event there.

Today we went to Highland Orchards specially for the Halloween activities they have for children. I do not live locally but my sister does. Several years ago we went there and had a pleasant experience. Today we went looking to have the same experience. It was terrible. So much so we agreed to never come and do the children activities for Halloween again.
First, we only needed to purchase «tokens» for my child to take part in the Halloween activities. There was not a separate line to purchase the tokens. We had to stand in line with the families purchasing the apple picking bags. It seriously took us 30 – 45 minutes to purchase 16 tokens (for $ 16.00!).
Then we went to the children’s section to play. The inflatable pumpkin was barely staked down. A rowdy group of children nearly toppled the pumpkin over and then their actions caused it to totally deflate. I was actually concerned for my daughter’s safety and made her come out of it. Luckily this was just prior to these children causing the deflation. NO one from Highland Orchards even supervises the area.
Then we decided to have my daughter’s face painted. We stood in line for over an hour to have my daughter’s face painted. They only employed one person to paint! She did beautiful work. It may be the best face painting we have ever paid for; but, it is absolutely ridiculous that Highland Orchard had only one person doing the work. Because we paid for tokens already, we had in theory paid for the work. By the time we had finished with face painting, it was too late for the hayride we paid for. Instead we did one of the same other items and lost out on several paid for tokens. These simple things took all afternoon!
At the conclusion of the Halloween period (5 pm), I felt like we had wasted our afternoon and money. The Halloween children’s activities are extremely poorly managed.

I went during the week and it was nice because it was not crowded. I picked peaches with my mom and we had a great time. Before picking you will need to check in with the store and buy a basket. Since it is not very busy at the time we went you drive yourself to the picking area. I am giving it five stars because the staff is very friendly and the peaches are great!

Beautiful Orchard, but no so great costumer service. We traveled to PA from LA and were excited to come to Highlands to pick peaches. After following the signs to the orchard, we parked and started picking. When we returned to check out we inquired about the peaches being a bit firm and we were told we picked in the wrong area and they were not ripe. We asked what we could do and the Manager Dave told them to inform us that they could do nothing and we could not pick anymore. We were extremely disappointed and left empty handed.

I loved this place so much! They were very friendly and reasonably priced.
My family did a good old fashioned day of apple picking (my sister and I are 21 and 24), and we had a great time! You pay for a bag before you go and then just take as many as fill your bag. The wagon/​trucks they take you in are old, but fun. You can be dropped at two different fields (one is all apple and one is apple/​pumpkin). They encourage you to try the apples as you go, and can help answer your questions about cooking them!
We walked through the bakery before we left, and boy am I glad we did! THE APPLE CIDER DONUT WAS INCREDIBLE. Easily one of the best things I’ve ever tasted.

Cool place, especially during fall. The apple cider donuts are as good as advertised but ALL of their stuff seems fresh. Their is alot to do and on a Sat/​Sun it can get very crowded and near impossible to park. But the fresh apples, jams, donuts, breads etc make this place worth the visit.

A great place to pick fruit during all times of the year. A worthy hike to the suburbs for a city-​dweller like myself. A bit overpriced, but the produce is fresh and tastes great. Picked about six varieties of apples the other day and made some delicious apple crisp right when I got home. Even more, it has helpful staff and a list of when fruits are in season so you know when to plan trips. Great for kids too.

I had seen for awhile, bags of fruits and veggies in our Capital One 360 Wilmington Café and finally I just asked,
it’s from Highland Orchards CSAs.
I’ve been using this delivery program for five weeks now, and I find that while it may seem like a lot of consistent food, after three or four days of home cooking, the food vanishes — it’s really, really good.
Mr. V can tell the difference between the store bought tomatoes and the ones I get from Highland Orchards
— and that’s saying something.
It’s a tad bit expensive
— $ 16 for a small veggies with fruit delivered to my work —
but I try to look at the bigger picture.
It’s local,
all farms are nearby within 25miles,
organic,
and probably the best of all — seasonal.
I don’t know what I’m getting —
and yes, sometimes I get things I don’t know how to use, like beets, and things I can’t stand, like squash. Squash is not for me.
But I smile, happily showing off my bag, and know that it does get used (thank you, internet).
I’ve gotten the eggs ($ 3.50 for a dozen), and was told by Mr. Mueller to try their honey.
DONE.
This place makes me happy on a lot of fronts —
I’m supporting local culture,
it’s healthy, fresh, organic, sustainable,
I get a variety,
and it’s delivered.
Sure, most of these are selfish, but the end result is more the point
— supporting a local culture and helping them sustain themselves —
which means I’m also starting to support my home.

5 stars for the WARM apple cider donuts and the always memorable experiences we have when we come to pick fruit! (Oh and the apple cider is quite delicious too!)
You must visit HIghland Orchards! Whether you are itching to bake a pie or cobbler from scratch from hand picked local fruit, or are looking for a fun date or activity, or want to purchase delicious baked goods it will not disappoint. In apple season I definitely recommend coming early in the morning to beat the crowds. You fill out your picking permit prior to picking in the market area. Depending on which apple types are currently ripe, buses will transport you to the appropriate fields and then you are free to peruse and pick and then pick up a bus to head back whenever you are ready. Recently I picked elusive sour cherries for the first time which are only shortly in season in the early summer. Next year I will be sure to come back at the beginning of sour cherry season instead of the end so I can make more heavenly cobblers!!!

We had a great time picking strawberries and rhubarb at Highland Orchards today. The strawberry picking area was a bit small, so I’d imagine it could get cramped when crowded. The strawberries are delicious and it was a very fun experience. The store/​market has a bunch of great items from fresh produce to local hot sauce. As others have said, before to get a «picking permit» in the market/​store before you go to pick. We look forward to returning and picking other fruits when they are ready for harvest!

Apple cider donuts.
That is all.

OMG the apple cider donuts are to die for. I can’t wait to return here to pick my own fruit. It’s a beautiful drive and a not to far escape from the city.