Legend Hills Orchards

I go to the orchards every year for apples around labor day for my bday. Every year we pick a different orchard & this year I picked Legend Hills.
It was about a 45min drive from Columbus but a really enjoyable one w/​pretty scenery. I’ve picked a lot of apples in my days and the drive is usually the worst part for me. This was enjoyable! A great start!
We pulled up and immediately could tell how popular this place was. They have a small lot and 2 rows of parking spots and every one of them was filled. We managed to find a spot around the corner & made our way in. The place was buzzing, no one for us to even stand really. We decided to skip looking around and just get to the register at the far side and get back out of there; too stuffy lol. The girl up front was very friendly and gave us a map and directions on how to drive up to the apples. For each variety of apple that was available to be picked she circled for us on the map and told us how to get there. This weekend was Gala, Gingergold, and one other that I dont remember. For how crowed the front was the back orchards weren’t crawling w/​cars at all. We were able to park (grass areas are kind of marked off but you can park where ever it seems) right in front of our row. One guy decided to drive up & down the rows which I still dont see the need for; honestly it’s dangerous since kids run all over the place in here and then crazy people drive down the lanes and it’s hard to see them between thick covers of trees. Just me being over protective maybe? Ohioans seem to love to drive in the orchard, something I’ve picked up over the last 3 orchards I’ve been to.
The gala’s were in 3 rows in this spot were also in one other part of the orchard. The front trees were picked over and it seemed only the tops of the trees had apples; another sign this place is popular! They had sticks up front for getting thses harder to reach ones, just dont ask me how to use them; they looked kind of like lacross sticks really w/​a net at the top. Most of the gala’s were tiny and bitter; I always try one before I start bagging since you never know what you’re going to get. So many people were just going up to any tree and plucking away… theyre going to be very upset when they get home and their apples taste like crap. Anyway, if you go all the way the row there’s better apples. Next stop was gingergold on the other end of the orchard. We headed straight up the grassy hill and made a left and it was on the right. It seems other people had no idea how to get here but by the time we got back to our car there was a bunch of cars randomly parked everywhere. The gingergolds were very picked over and we only managed to get about 7 of them. There were plenty of little green ones but none were big & yellow like they should be. Another disappointment. After this we stopped at the other gala location which was on our way back to the market. Tons of cars and a few apples for picking.
Parking when we got back down to the market was insane. We’re talking people cutting each other off just so they could back up and leave. Not the safest means so I drove around back and parked there. Inside I snagged a blackberry cream cheese fried pie ($ 1.99), a cherry pepper, and $ 11 for my big bag of apples. Not a bad price for 50 apples!
Overall this places was really nice and I got some great pictures (uploaded to Unilocal) for memories. When my parents come latter this month I’ll make it a point that we spend one of the days coming here for more apples. Taste wise these apples are on point! I have no idea if they’re gmo or not, organic or not, but they’re tasty. The last 2 years I went to organic farms and had a horrible time with bugs in all my apples so this year I didnt care. These apples were too tasty really, so sweet & perfect! ‘d say we were here for a good 2 hours, maybe more. I take my time in the orchard.
Best apples sauce I’ve ever made! Can’t wait to make some pies!

Best place for some apple picking! So many varieties and it’s a largeee area so you can spend 1 – 2 hours there choosing what you like.
Every time I go apple picking I make sure I get there somewhat early before the fried pie is sold out– we were told they are made fresh so only have limited supply. They absolutely taste fresh so I give their fried pies two thumbs up!

I took my 18mo peach picking today and this was so wonderful! The employees were friendly and helped me get started, and in an hour I picked 20+lbs! My son just wandered around eating, and unlike some u-​pick places where they are all snotty about eating while you pick, they were super friendly here.
They apparently also do apples later in the fall and I would LOVE to go back for cider! The farm stand also has a lot of good stuff at fair prices! Would highly recommend!

Legend Hills has been a staple for my family for quite some time, and by that I mean for as long as they have been in existence (which was before I was born).
We pick apples here every year which eventually get turned into our family secret recipe apple butter. Also, every time we go, my grandmother reminds me that she dated the friendly gentleman behind the cash register back when they were in high school.
Their homemade (unpasteurized!) apple cider is the best I have ever had, and they also carry an assortment of Amish meats, cheeses, and canned goods. In the fall, in addition to apple picking, you can pick your own pumpkins which, even still as an adult, I thoroughly enjoy.

I come out to Utica every year for fresh peaches. This is the first time at Legend Hills. Outstanding fruits labeled properly and friendly fun employees. They have a good selection of other stuff too, cheeses, meats, james, jellies, apple butter, candy etc. We had a great time then went to the Velvet Ice Cream factory calld Old mill. Check out that post too.