When you stay at the Lazy Laurel cabin in Cherry Log, GA, you’re perfectly positioned to explore one of North Georgia’s favorite destinations—Mercier Apple Orchard. Located less than 20 minutes away from our cabin in Blue Ridge, this family-owned treasure offers an authentic mountain experience that combines fresh fruit, homemade treats, cider and the kind of warm hospitality that makes the North Georgia mountains so special.
Why Mercier Apple Orchard Should Be on Your Must-Visit List
Founded in 1943 by Bill and Adele Mercier, this fourth-generation family farm has grown from a humble roadside apple stand into one of the most popular agrotourism destinations in the entire South. What started as a 27-acre orchard has blossomed into a 300-acre mountain paradise that welcomes over 600,000 visitors each year.
The orchard is located at 8660 Blue Ridge Drive in Blue Ridge, GA, making it an easy drive from the Lazy Laurel cabin. Simply head north on GA-5/GA-515, and in less than 20 minutes, you’ll find yourself surrounded by cascading orchards with breathtaking mountain views.
The Apple Experience: Pick Your Own Fresh Fruit
Mercier Orchards grows over 40 varieties of apples on their sprawling mountain property. From the crisp, tangy Granny Smith to the sweet and juicy Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, and Mutsu, there’s an apple for every taste preference. The farm harvests between 65,000 and 75,000 bushels of apples annually, ensuring you’ll find plenty of fresh fruit during your visit.
During the fall season, the orchard’s U-Pick apple events are the highlight of the year. For just $12 per person (children 2 and under are free), you can grab a container and head into the orchard to pick your own apples straight from the trees. Tractor tours run every weekend in October, offering scenic rides through the property where you can see the operation up close.
But apples aren’t the only fruit you can pick. Depending on the season, Mercier offers U-Pick opportunities for:
- Strawberries in the spring
- Blueberries and blackberries in the summer
- Peaches, nectarines, and plums during their respective seasons
- Vegetables and flowers throughout the growing season
The Bakery: Where Magic Happens
If you only do one thing at Mercier Orchards, make sure you visit the bakery. This isn’t your typical farm stand—it’s a full-scale operation that produces some of the most talked-about treats in North Georgia.
The star of the show? The legendary fried pies. These golden, hand-held delights have been a Mercier tradition since 1991 and have earned such a devoted following that they’re even served at select Chick-fil-A locations. You’ll find them filled with apple, peach, cherry, and seasonal flavors.
Other bakery must-tries include:
- Apple cider donuts (crispy on the outside, tender on the inside)
- Apple fritters bursting with chunks of fresh apple
- Homemade apple bread and various pastries
- Caramel apples dipped in their candy kitchen
- Fresh-baked cakes and fudge
The bakery opens early, serving breakfast from 7 to 11 AM every day, making it a perfect stop on your way to other adventures in the area.
Beyond Apples: The Complete Farm Experience
The Market Store
The market at Mercier Orchards is a destination in itself. This isn’t just a place to buy fruit—it’s a curated collection of Georgia products, local specialties, and farm-fresh goods. You’ll find everything from Georgia olive oil and local honey to kitchen gadgets, toys, pet supplies, and yard products. The deli section offers soups, salads, sandwiches, and daily specials if you need lunch during your visit.
Hard Cider and Wine Tasting
Here’s something that sets Mercier apart: they’re the only apple orchard in Georgia that grows, presses, ferments, and cans their own hard cider. Their tasting room is open year-round for visitors 21 and older to sample these unique creations.
Popular options include Old #3, Just Peachy, and Sneaky Jack—ranging from crisp and refreshing to sweet and bourbon-kissed. They also produce fruit wines from their harvest, including strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, and apple varieties. Don’t miss the farm wine slushies, which have become a fan favorite for hot summer days.
One unique offering is their nitro cold-brew caramel coffee served on tap, which pairs beautifully with their fresh apple cider—a collaboration that showcases two of Georgia’s best beverage makers.
Special Events Throughout the Year
Mercier Orchards hosts seasonal events that make each visit unique. In the spring, they offer blossom tours where you can see the orchards in full bloom. Fall brings the busiest season with apple picking and hayrides. During the holidays, their “Santa at the Farm” event attracts families looking for photo opportunities, festive treats, and holiday gift baskets.
Planning Your Visit from the Lazy Laurel Cabin
The drive from the Lazy Laurel cabin to Mercier Orchards takes less than 20 minutes, making it an ideal day trip or even a quick morning excursion. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your visit:
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Friday-Sunday: 8 AM to 5:30 PM
Closed on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Easter
Best Times to Visit:
The orchard is busiest in late September and early October when fall colors peak and apple harvest is in full swing. If you want to avoid the largest crowds, try visiting on weekdays or arriving early in the morning. Summer offers a quieter experience with berry picking and beautiful weather.
What to Bring:
Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and bags for your purchases. The orchard provides containers for U-Pick events, but having your own cooler in the car helps keep fruit fresh on the drive back to your cabin.
Pro Tips:
- Arrive early during peak weekends to get the best selection of fruit and avoid lines at the bakery
- Check their website before visiting to see what U-Pick events are scheduled—fruit availability varies by season
- Don’t skip the tasting room if you’re over 21—the hard ciders are truly special
- Save room for lunch at the café, or plan to visit other Blue Ridge restaurants afterward
- Bring a cooler to keep your fresh fruit, baked goods, and perishables cool on the drive back
Making a Day of It: Combining Mercier with Other Blue Ridge Attractions
Since you’re already making the short drive from Cherry Log to Mercier Orchards, consider extending your day trip to explore more of what Blue Ridge has to offer. The downtown area features charming shops, art galleries, and excellent restaurants like Fightingtown Tavern and Black Bear Beir Garten.
Other nearby attractions include the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge, and numerous hiking trails in the surrounding mountains. The area around Mercier Orchards is perfectly situated along GA-515, giving you easy access to all of Blue Ridge’s best destinations.
Why Mercier Apple Orchard Is Perfect for Cabin Guests
There’s something magical about returning to your peaceful mountain cabin with bags full of fresh-picked apples, a box of warm fried pies, and maybe a bottle or two of hard cider. The proximity of Mercier Orchards to the Lazy Laurel cabin means you can easily incorporate this farm experience into your stay without spending hours in the car.
Imagine this: You wake up to mountain views at your cabin, enjoy your morning coffee on the deck, then take a leisurely 20-minute drive to Mercier Orchards. You pick fresh apples, sample hard cider, grab some fried pies and apple fritters, browse the market for local products, and return to your cabin by early afternoon. The rest of your day is free to relax in the hot tub, gather around the fire pit, or prepare a meal using your fresh orchard finds.
This is the kind of authentic mountain experience that makes a North Georgia cabin vacation so special—and it’s all just a few minutes from your door at the Lazy Laurel.
The Mercier Legacy: Four Generations of Excellence
What makes Mercier Orchards truly special isn’t just the quality of their fruit or the deliciousness of their baked goods—it’s the family legacy that has sustained this operation for over 80 years. Bill and Adele Mercier’s vision of cultivating the finest apples in the region has been carried forward through four generations, with each adding their own innovations while maintaining the core values of quality and hospitality.
Today, as a veteran-owned and operated farm, Mercier Orchards continues to welcome visitors with the same warmth that made it special back in 1943. The dedication to sustainability and planning for future generations ensures that this mountain treasure will continue delighting visitors for decades to come.
Book Your Cherry Log Cabin Stay and Experience Mercier Orchards
The Lazy Laurel cabin in Cherry Log provides the perfect home base for exploring all the treasures of North Georgia, and Mercier Apple Orchard is just one of the many adventures waiting less than 20 minutes from your door. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a peaceful retreat in the mountains, having this iconic orchard so close by adds another layer of magic to your stay.
From the fresh mountain air to the taste of a warm apple cider donut, from the satisfaction of picking your own fruit to the pleasure of sipping locally-made hard cider—these are the experiences that create lasting memories. And they’re all waiting for you, just a short drive from the comfort and tranquility of your private mountain cabin.
Plan your visit to Mercier Orchards during your next stay at the Lazy Laurel, and discover why this fourth-generation family farm has become one of the most beloved destinations in the North Georgia mountains.
