The apple orchard here is definitely a sideshow next to the kids play area and the huge corn maze.
Apple picking:
If you are looking to pick apples, another orchard might be a better bet. As many of the yelp reviews point out, the only rows with apples are restricted. We saw many times an employee bark at people going into the roped-off areas. The employees are everywhere. But really, that's not too hard because the orchard didn't seem all that big. Most of the trees are quite young and skinny. I'm guessing that as this orchard is getting more and more popular with its side-shows, so they needed to get more trees in the ground. Hence, all the young skinny trees to get their tree count up.
Even with the hawk-like guards over the roped-off rows, we managed to swipe some apples from those areas, because the other rows had nothing available. Granted, it's natural for an orchard to run out of apples, especially into the second week of October. But their Facebook Page had a post from the same day stating, "Picking today we have LOTS of apples! NOW PICKING: Jonagold, Empire, Northern Spy, Rome Beauty, SunCrisp, and Golden Delicious" (The "LOTS" is their capitalization).
I'm sad to say that they did not have "LOTS" of apples for picking. Call me picky (pun intended), but when the orchard's Facebook Page states there's lots of apples for picking, that means there should be lots of apples for picking.
Aside from the apple picking, Jonamac does have some great features. Especially in kids entertainment and the corn maze.
Kids entertainment:
If you are looking for kids entertainment, this place excels.
1) A huge jumping pillow that can fit, like, 20 kids
2) Pony rides
3) Hay house
4) Petting zoo
5) Tricycle races
6) Apple train (super adorable for the little kids)
Even though it's $10 to get your kid in ($4 for the kid, $6 for the required accompanying adult), there is a lot for your child to do. This time, the word "lot" is meant in truth. In fact, it's almost an overload of activities. Your child will want to do everything at once!
Corn maze:
The corn maze itself is worth the trip out to Jonamac Orchard. The first half took us about 50 minutes to complete. The second half we polished off in 20 minutes. The maze is really well-kept. It's challenging, but not overwhelming.
Markers are spaced out throughout the maze to give you hints via trivia questions. Or you can simply scan the QR code on the marker to show your location.
We attended on a Sunday afternoon, but I'd imagine when the maze is open at night around Halloween, it would be a real ghoul of a time, and I'm not being corny.
Donuts:
The line for the donuts was so deep, it looked like it would be a 45-minute to hour wait. Which seems so odd. Why not just sell donuts in multiple locations? It would seem Jonamac Orchard is following the example of another Apple. When iPhones are released, there are lines around the block to create hype and desire. Certainly Jonamac is following Apple's recipe.
Come for the kids entertainment. Come for the corn maze. Don't bother coming for the apple picking or the donuts. read more