The Journal

Field Notes

Long-form dispatches from the unpaved corners of America — the orchards, cider barns, dairies, and sheep meadows shaping a slower way to travel.

StateSeason

Showing 41 dispatches

Latest dispatch

Massachusetts Sugar Shacks: A Sweet Farm Tradition

Step into a cloud of maple-scented steam and taste syrup straight from the draw-off valve, still warm from the fire.

July 10, 20263 min read

Berkshires Farm Stays: Trade the City for a Weekend of Gathering Eggs

Wake up to woodsmoke and mountain mist, then spend the morning gathering eggs before the trails even wake up.

July 9, 20263 min read

Cranberry Bog Tours in Massachusetts: A Unique Fall Harvest

Step into the flooded crimson marshes of a working bog and watch the fall harvest unfold right beneath your boots.

July 8, 20263 min read

Muscadine Grapes in Georgia: Where to Pick the South's Favorite Native

Muscadine grapes in Georgia ripen in the flat, sun-heavy stretches of the state, where late summer means baskets instead of buckets and even

July 4, 20263 min read

Farm Stays in Georgia: Where to Wake Up on Working Land

Farm stays in Georgia offer a slower kind of trip, one built around working land instead of a hotel room.

July 3, 20263 min read

Peach Picking in Georgia: A Taste of the South Straight Off the Branch

Peach picking in Georgia is a ritual that has been drawing families into the orchards for generations.

July 2, 20263 min read

Lavender Picking in Virginia: Blooms, Barnyards, and Farm Escapes

Lavender picking in Virginia is an unforgettable experience of color and scent.

June 27, 20263 min read

Virginia Farm Stays: Trading City Streets for the Open Skies

Virginia farm stays offer a chance to slow down in a place where the land itself sets the rhythm of the day.

June 26, 20263 min read

Apple Picking in Virginia: Autumn Days in the Shadow of the Blue Ridge

The crisp mountain air carries the heavy, sweet scent of sun-warmed windfall fruit when apple picking in Virginia.

June 25, 20264 min read

Michigan Barn Weddings: Where Elegance Meets Rustic Charm

Glowing rafters and the scent of seasoned wood welcome friends and family to a celebration rooted in the quiet beauty of the countryside.

June 18, 20263 min read

Michigan Farm Stays: An Unforgettable Countryside Escape

Cold morning mist rises off the pasture as the smell of fresh earth welcomes guests to a quiet weekend on a working farm.

June 17, 20263 min read

Cherry Picking in Michigan: An Unforgettable Summer Tradition

Sun-warmed fruit hangs heavy from sturdy branches as families gather in the rows to fill their wooden buckets with the summer harvest.

June 16, 20263 min read

Ohio Maple Sugaring: Witness the Sweet Science of this Spring Harvest

Step inside a warm, wood-fired sugarhouse to witness the cloud of sweet steam that marks the Ohio maple sugaring season.

June 14, 20263 min read

Farm Stays in Ohio: Waking Up to the Rhythm of the Countryside

Escape to the quiet of one of the many farm stays in Ohio to wake up near active pastures, explore woodland trails, and slow down your pace.

June 13, 20263 min read

Apple Picking in Ohio: A Sweet Autumn Tradition for the Whole Family

Twist ripe apples from sun-warmed branches and taste fresh-pressed cider when apple picking in Ohio orchards.

June 12, 20263 min read

Texas Farm Stays: Deep-Dive Ranch Experiences and Overnight Getaways

Texas farm stays take you from the city to a working property where the stars come out and the morning starts with coffee on the porch.

June 11, 20263 min read

Pumpkin Patch in Texas: The Ultimate Fall Family Tradition

Find your perfect gourd at a pumpkin patch in Texas, where October afternoons stay warm and the fields run from busy to beautifully quiet.

June 10, 20264 min read

Lavender Picking in Texas: Exploring the Hill Country's Fields

Lavender picking in Texas offers the chance to walk the fragrant purple rows of the Hill Country and discover what keeps these farms going.

June 9, 20264 min read

Pennsylvania Dairy Farm Tours: See How Milk Goes From Pasture to Glass

Step inside modern creameries, watch high-tech milking carousels, and see how fresh milk moves from quiet pastures to your glass.

June 9, 20263 min read

Pennsylvania Farm Stays: Trade the City for the Pasture

Trade city concrete for quiet valleys, join in on morning pasture chores, and experience the slow rhythm of historic family lands.

June 8, 20263 min read

Pennsylvania Farm Tours: Step Inside a Real Working Barn

Step inside real working barns, discover unique rural traditions, and see how your visit keeps local family operations sustainable.

June 7, 20263 min read

New York Pumpkin Picking: Hayrides, Mazes, and Cider, Oh My!

Find an authentic New York pumpkin patch this autumn. Skip the generic grocery displays for real mud, winding corn mazes, and fresh cider.

June 4, 20263 min read

New York Farm Stays: Escape the City on a Working Farm

Trade city concrete for active pastures, help with morning chores, and see how your getaway supports family farms.

June 3, 20263 min read

Apple Picking in New York: Go For the Fruit, Leave With the Memories

Plan your next trip for apple picking in New York. Discover the full range of activities at local barns.

June 2, 20263 min read

Apple Picking in North Carolina: Bring Home More Than Apples

Apple picking in North Carolina takes you from mountain orchards to piedmont family farms. Here's what to expect and how to make the most of

May 27, 20263 min read

Cut Your Own Christmas Tree in North Carolina to Make Lasting Memories

Start a family tradition when you cut your own Christmas tree in North Carolina.

May 26, 20263 min read

North Carolina Farm Stays: What to Expect

Wake up on a working farm, from the Carolina Piedmont to the High Country and the coastal plain.

May 18, 20263 min read

California Lavender Farms: Workshops and Relaxation in a Sea of Purple

A day at a California lavender farm is sensory and hands-on with fields to wander, workshops to join, and gardens to explore.

May 17, 20263 min read

California Vineyard Visits: When the Winery Is Also a Working Farm

Some of California's most interesting vineyard visits have little to do with what's in your glass.

May 15, 20264 min read

California Farm Stays: What to Expect and How to Find the Right One

California's farm stay scene spans the coast, wine country, and everything in between. Here's what to look for.

May 12, 20264 min read

Vermont Maple Sugaring Tours: Learn the Sweet Science Behind the Syrup

A Vermont maple sugaring tour shows you how syrup is made and connects you to a tradition that has shaped this state.

May 11, 20264 min read

Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides in Vermont: An Unforgettable Experience

A horse-drawn sleigh ride in Vermont is one of those magical experiences that stays with you long after you are back home.

May 10, 20263 min read

Cut Your Own Christmas Tree in Vermont: A Holiday Tradition

Cut your own Christmas tree in Vermont and start a holiday tradition your family will return to for years.

May 9, 20263 min read

Vermont Vineyard Tours: More Than a Flight of Wine

If you are planning a Vermont vineyard tour, you are already thinking bigger than a bottle. Here is what makes these tours special.

May 8, 20263 min read

Pumpkin Picking in Vermont: What to Know Before You Go

Pumpkin picking in Vermont is one of those fall traditions that delivers every time.

May 7, 20263 min read

Vermont Farm Wedding: What Couples Should Know

A Vermont farm wedding offers a unique opportunity to celebrate your special day on a working farm. Here's what couples should know.

May 7, 20263 min read

Vermont Farm Stays: What to Expect When You Sleep on a Working Farm

A Vermont farm stay gives you the chance to slow down and wake up on a working farm.

May 5, 20264 min read

Blueberry Picking in Vermont: A Guide to the Summer Season

Vermont blueberry season is right in the heart of summer. Here's what to know about timing, what to expect, and how to find the right farm.

May 5, 20263 min read

Apple Picking in Vermont: What to Know Before You Go

Vermont apple picking season runs from late August through October, offering a wide variety of what you'll find at a working orchard.

May 3, 20264 min read

What to Know Before You Visit a Vermont Corn Maze

Vermont corn mazes range from a quick family wander to a full afternoon challenge in 24 acres of tall corn.

May 3, 20263 min read

Why Spring Is a Great Time to Visit a Vermont Farm

Spring on a Vermont farm means baby animals, mud, and the land coming back to life. Here's what to expect when you visit a Vermont farm.

May 2, 20264 min read