I almost drove right past the gravel turnoff, thinking it was just another quiet field in the North Carolina countryside. Then I spotted rows of small trees heavy with glowing orange fruit, and my stomach made the decision for me.
One sweet, jammy bite later, I understood why some families happily drive hours for a single afternoon here. If you have never picked a persimmon warm from the tree, you are in for a real treat.
A Specialty Orchard on Frank Perry Road
Tucked along a country road outside Hillsborough, Sweet Retreat Orchard sits at 2925 Frank Perry Rd, a short drive from the Triangle. For folks coming from Raleigh, it makes an easy, under-an-hour trip that feels much farther from city traffic.
Officially, the place is listed as an orchard, but the owners call it a holistic farm, and the name fits. Instead of one crop, you will find a small collection of specialty fruits grown with care and a focus on natural methods…