Nothing quite says fall like biting into a crisp apple against the backdrop of Indiana’s stunning fall foliage. At the Apple Store at Conner Prairie—a 35-year-old community tradition—you can do that, and so much more.
“Think of us as your local market,” said Lori Goldsby, the Vice President of Communications for the Conner Prairie Alliance, the volunteer group that organizes and manages the Apple Store as part of their signature fundraiser. “We’re well-known for our hand-dipped caramel apples and other sweet treats, but at our core (see what I did there?), we’re an apple market, with six varieties of fresh apples for sale in pecks and half pecks. Our apples range from very tart to very sweet, and we have apples for baking, eating, and to complement savory dishes.”
The Apple Store features a variety of delicious apple treats on its menu. A relatively new breed, the EverCrisp, is a combination of the Honeycrisp and Fuji apple and is smaller and less expensive than the Honeycrisp. In addition, this year the Apple Store is debuting a brand new apple variety called the Autumn Crisp apple. It is extra crisp and juicy but doesn’t easily brown. Great for slicing on charcuterie boards or dicing in salads. As Goldsby expressed, “It’s what a Honeycrisp wants to be when it grows up.”
Other unique offerings include the Empire Apple, a bright red variety that shares its sweetness with the Red Delicious and its tartness with the McIntosh. While the Apple Store doesn’t grow apples on-site, all of the apples sold are grown in-state at Garwood Orchard in La Porte, Indiana.
The Apple Store also offers a diverse range of apple treats, including the crowd favorite caramel and salted caramel apples, which are hand-dipped and ready to eat. Along with the caramel apples, the menu includes warm apple cider and cider slushies (depending on the weather), apple and pumpkin donuts, apple fritters, fresh-popped popcorn, and more. You can even grab a gallon of cider, apple pie, and various jams and jellies to take home for later. A variety of fall décor and gift items, primarily from Hoosier vendors, are also sold.
One insider tip from Goldsby: The Apple Store sells bruised apples at a discount that are perfect for making pies and applesauce!
The Apple Store is organized and operated solely by volunteers from the Conner Prairie Alliance, a fundraising group that supports Conner Prairie initiatives. Since their formation in 1982, the Alliance has worked to raise more than $1.3 million in funds to support Conner Prairie, including donating funds towards the 1859 Balloon Voyage, Animal Encounters Barn, and Headless Horseman.
The pop-up shop opened for the season on September 15 and is open Wednesday through Sunday until October 31. Admission to Conner Prairie is not required to visit the store, but exploring the grounds is encouraged with admission. Take the time to traverse the newly expanded corn maze during your visit, featuring 11 acres of family fun! Learn more at connerprairie.org.
Check them out:
The Apple Store at Conner Prairie
Open Wednesday – Sundays- now through October 31, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
October 7-10, 14-17, 21-24, & 28-30, 2021
*All photos from the Apple Store at Conner Prairie Instagram.