Lakeside Farms, Ballston Lake

Do you like cider donuts? It’s like a rite of passage that to live in Upstate New York, you not only love them but you have a favorite place. One of the most popular places in the 518 has gotta be Lakeside Farms.

Honestly, for how big of a part of my childhood Lakeside Farms is, I’m surprised that this is the first I’m really writing about it. Lakeside Farms continually makes my list of Best Cider Donuts in the area but that’s not all they have to offer.

According to their website, it all started in 1948 when “Robert Pearce bought a Ballston Lake farm for its old barn and the cider press that was in it.” The building itself was built in the 1880s but is still used today to make their delicious apple products. They opened up the retail store in 1958 and in 1971 opened the apple barn.

They’re known for their nostalgia candy, deli, their pies are well-known throughout the area, and they also have a delicious restaurant (and, yes, cider donuts). Grab a gallon of cider, a dozen cider donuts and you’re good to go! It’s an adorable little country store that opens for the season around April-May through the fall. They recently opened another dimension to their store with the gift shoppe on the property. My favorite thing is the day-old baked goods that are discounted but just as delicious.

Also, if you’re in the area in October, you can’t miss the Cider Witch. In my childhood she stood on top of the building throwing candy to the kids for Halloween. Since COVID-19, that’s changed, so we’ll have to see what happens from 2021 and on.