Summer is in full swing, and it’s natural to be feeling like you’re missing out on half of it because you aren’t getting to do the things you normally do. A lot of places are closed and not offering their normal services or activities – but the good news is, some of those places have figured out how to safely open up now, too!
One of those places is Linvilla Orchards – until recently, Pick Your Own fruit has not been an activity they were able to offer, but now, they’ve figured out how to work it out with social distancing rules so that families can come, pick fresh fruit, and enjoy the summer!
That’s not all – Linvilla also has other social-distancing safe activities available for families to do together! You can go and safely enjoy all manner of activities with those closest to you – while getting out of the house, which is no doubt a welcome referesher to all of us.
As your local Main Line and Paoli Realtor, I’ll always strive to keep you up to date on fun things to do in the area – especially in these trying times. Now, more than ever, local families need pick me ups and other fun activities to do while staying safe – and luckily, our area has no shortage of them! I’ll write another post soon to detail more fun and safe activities that will get you out of the house – but for now, here are all the fun things you can do at Linvilla when you go to pick your own fruit!
Pick Your Own Fruit
Of course, first thing’s first: Linvilla’s pick your own fruit is the main reason that a lot of families come to Linvilla in the summer. They didn’t have it available at the beginning of the season, but now they’re allowing it again – with some restrictions, of course:
- Families will be given prepaid containers to keep to put the fruit in. You can buy an extra one if you want, but keep in mind that any container that you touch, you have to keep. This is for safety reasons. The pre-pay minimum is $6.
- Families will only be taken out to the field one at a time, not in groups. This could mean a longer wait, but don’t worry too much about that – remember, there are plenty of other things to do at Linvilla while you wait.
- You must adhere to social distancing guidelines while in the orchards – maintain a six foot distance from anyone who is not a member of your immediate household. Don’t worry to much – the other measures they have in place should make this easy.
- All guests over the age of 2 have to wear a mask the entire time you’re in the orchard (this should be easy – by now we’re all used to wearing masks whenever we go out!)
- No sampling of fruit while you’re in the field! It’s tempting, it’s true, but it’s always been a rule. (Just wait til you’re finished picking, you don’t even have to wait until you get to your car!)
Pick your own fruit is available from 9 am until 2 pm. They have three different fruits available to pick right now:
- White Peaches
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
Since the fruit is located in different parts of the orchard, you’ll have to pick just one at a time. Still, there’s no rule that says you can’t come back and then go pick another fruit after!
Fishing at Orchard Lake
If there’s a wait to go pick your own fruit – or if you just feel like getting out and doing something different – you can always head down to the lake and do some fishing! Fishing is a fun and relaxing activity that makes social distancing easy – there’s plenty of space around the lake for anyone who wants to fish to spread out and enjoy themselves.
There are a couple of things that are different than if you fished here in previous years.
- First, cones around the lake indicating where people can stand will be placed ten feet apart.
- In addition, they won’t be renting equipment this year – if you want to fish, you’ll need to bring your own rod.
- You will be able to buy bait at their dispensers.
- The fees are $9 to fish (catch and release), $6 to sit and watch.
- In addition, if you want to keep a fish you caught, it’s an extra $14.99 – unless it’s under 2lbs, in which case they are $5.
- Fishing hours are 9 am to 2 pm.
The lake was just freshly stocked with rainbow trout, brown trout, and tiger trout! (Sounds like you may be tempted to take that take-one-home option.)
Ship Bottom Brewery
If you happen to be at Linvilla to pick your own fruit on a weekend, you should definitely check out Ship Bottom Brewery. Though not technically run by Linvilla Orchards itself, the Beer Garden is right in the orchard, near the farm market.
It’s open from noon to six on Saturdays and Sundays, and while they’re not serving food from local restaurants the way they were last year, the farm market will also be open until 6 pm, and guests are welcome to bring food from the market into the beer garden.
In partnership with Linvilla, Ship Bottom recently premiered their new hard cider there – so even if you’re not a beer person, there’s something there your might like. In addition, this weekend, they’re premiering their new Mermaid Strawberry Blonde ale!
Of course, given social distancing guidelines, limited seating is available in the Beer Garden, but if you want to guarantee that you get a seat, you can always call 484-301-5513.
