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.

Latest dispatch

Apple Picking in North Carolina: Bring Home More Than Apples

Apple picking in North Carolina runs from late summer through fall, with mountain orchards heavy with fruit and piedmont farms that turn a morning of picking into a full day on the land.

May 27, 20263 min read

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

Walking the rows of a North Carolina Christmas tree farm with a saw in your hand and a kid running ahead of you is the kind of afternoon that becomes a family story.

May 26, 20263 min read

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

From the Carolina Piedmont to the High Country and the coastal plain, a North Carolina farm stay allows you to experience farm life from the inside.

May 18, 20263 min read

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

A day at a California lavender farm is equal parts sensory and hands-on. Fields to wander, workshops to join, and in some cases, a cottage to sleep in when you're not ready to leave.

May 16, 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. When the winery is also a working farm, the experience goes a lot further.

May 14, 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 and where to start planning your trip.

May 12, 20265 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 and to the families still carrying it forward.

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. Here's what to know before you go.

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 Vermont's vineyard experiences worth the trip.

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. Here's what to expect and how to make the most of a visit to a Vermont pumpkin patch.

May 7, 20263 min read

Vermont Farm Wedding: What Couples Should Know

A Vermont farm wedding puts you on living land with real history behind it, and the setting does most of the work. Here's what couples should know before they start planning.

May 6, 20263 min read

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

A Vermont farm stay is something different from a country inn or a vacation rental. You are on a working farm, and that changes everything about how the visit feels.

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 4, 20263 min read

Apple Picking in Vermont: What to Know Before You Go

Vermont apple picking season runs from late August through October, and the variety of what you'll find at a working orchard goes well beyond what you'd expect. Here's how to make the most of a visit.

May 3, 20263 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. Here's what to expect and how to plan your visit.

May 2, 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 and why it matters more than you might think.

May 2, 20264 min read