Visiting the Big Apple, Wrentham, MA , 2010

Visiting the Big Apple, Wrentham, MA in 2010 is likely to be filled with lots of fun and great food for your whole family. Members of my family have been visiting the Big Apple for more than 25 years. We are now officially into our 4th generation of Big Apple patrons. Each generation has experienced the Big Apple in its own unique way, but it's safe to say that all have found that the Big Apple in Wrentham is a very safe selection for a fall adventure for grandparents, parents and children and a wonderful way to welcome the holiday season.

A Nice Approach. Visiting the Big Apple in Wrentham, MA means taking yourself out in to the southeastern corner of Massachusetts and to a mostly quiet and somewhat remote end of the state. Getting to Wrentham center itself may take you far beyond your citified comfort zone. When you leave the center you take Route 1A for about one mile when you reach Wampum Corner. There 1A bears to the left and those bound for the Big Apple continue straight onto route 121. That road, West St., is just a lovely drive that takes you by scenic fields and homes that have historic looks and dates. After several miles of pleasant driving look for the Big Apple sign on your right and turn onto Arnold St. Continue on Arnold St. until you spot the Big Apple on your left.

Fun Family Events. While your goal in coming to the Big Apple may be food centered there is definitely more to do here than grab and go. We enjoyed the annual fall hayrides that are available seasonally on weekends. Our grandchild loved bouncing along the farm road on the back of a tractor pulled wagon,up and down orchard hills covered with growing fruit. Even us oldsters enjoyed the trip and the panoramic views of the orchard as we moved up hills and turned corners.

Across the street from the Big Apple we also found a unique display of collectibles we could browse through even with a little one in tow. The display was dressed up for the season and small children enjoyed seeing the Halloween and Harvest decorations while adults considered other purchases. You could also purchase a variety of snacks here according to your taste.

Inside the Big Apple store itself, first timers had a chance to look for the overhead toy train, check out the apple grader conveyor belt that sorts out apples for on location cider production and take a look at the donut making center. Kids can also wander the store to check out all the treats.

Good Food The Big Apple store is smaller than I had imagined but the contents are nonetheless plentiful and diverse. Perhaps the store seems smaller than it really is because it is typically loaded with harvest time shoppers. In my many visits, more than a dozen I am quite sure, I have purchased cider, apples, candied apples, fudge, apple pastry, donuts and fresh vegetables but certainly haven't exhasted the possibilities. I never leave without selecting an apple from the "free apple" barrel in the middle of the store. Many family holidays have been made more tasty by the presence of pies ordered from the Big Apple.

If you are fortunate enough to visit the farm on a warm day you can satisfy your sweet tooth further by locating the Big Apple's Ice Cream Shoppe at the side of the store. There you will find a full menu, some 20 flavors, from which to choose. We were amazed that in this rather remote location and in a store that features fresh produce we found the very best frozen yogurt you can imagine. It is possible, we know from experience, to go to the Big Apple just for the ice cream, but why would you with so many other delicious items to bag up and take home.

A Harvest Feeling What is especially delightful about visiting the Big Apple is that the harvest decor, the view of the orchards ripe with fruit, the wonderful smells of pies,donuts and cider really are mood elevators. If you have been sitting at home bemoaning the passing of summer and the undeniable approach of snow and ice, you can really change your whole day with a trip to the Big Apple. It is a place alive with fun, food, families and that special warmth that promises great holidays to come.

Sources: www.thebigapplefarm.com