It’s back! The quintessential fall-in-New-England pastime is upon us, and it’s time to put on your apple picking shoes. Whether you like to bake apple pies with your bounty, enjoy as many as you can while still in the orchard, or are just going along to pick up a bag of cider donuts at the end, there’s nothing like spending some time on the farm during fall.
So, we gathered 18 of the top local orchards that are a must-hit for Bostonians this season. Some are closer than others, but they all provide the perfect apple picking experience. We put together the map below to visualize, followed by details about each farm. Now that it’s almost the weekend, get out there and get pickin’.
Sarah Capungan contributed to this article.
Connors Farm
30 Valley Road, Danvers, MA
In addition to picking your own apples, Connors Farm has a corn maze as well Hysteria Scream Park on the weekends, one of the newest and scariest haunted houses in Massachusetts. Go if you dare!
Boston Hill Farm
1370 Turnpike Street, North Andover, MA
North of the city is Boston Hill Farm, which has orchards, hayrides, a petting zoo as well as a bakery and gift shop. On the weekends from Labor Day through the end of October, Boston Hill Farm hosts its Fall Festival, which includes BBQ food, live music and more.
Belkin Family Lookout Farm
89 Pleasant Street, Natick, MA
This farm was established in 1651, making it one of the oldest farms still in operation in the country. In addition to the history, guests will find train rides through the orchards, activities for kids, a petting zoo and more.
Parlee Farms
95 Farewell Road, Tyngsboro, MA
Located over 93 acres along the Merrimack River near the New Hampshire border, Parlee Farms is the perfect spot to escape the city for the rural suburbs, get lost in the apple orchard and grab some pumpkins on your way out from their patch. That one might not be as simple as it sounds, though: their pumpkin patch houses over 1,000 pumpkins.
Carver Hill Orchard
101 Brookside Avenue, Stow, MA
This family-owned farm is located in “the heart of apple country,” according to its website, and promises to be a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of your daily life. Sold!
Old Frog Pond Farm
38 Eldridge Road, Harvard, MA
Looking to get a little artsy in the orchard? In addition to pick-your-own apples, Old Frog Pond Farm hosts an art studio overlooking the pond, and they offer art classes. Don’t just pick your apples, paint them. (Bonus: the apples are organic.)
Carlson Orchards
115 Oak Hill Road, Harvard, MA
Carlson Orchards is so confident in the fruit they grow and the foods they make that if you’re not 100 percent satisfied with your fruits, jams, jellies, honey or what-have-you, they’ll give you a full refund.
Doe Orchards
327 Ayer Road, Harvard, MA
Doe Orchards offers many different varieties of apples across 25 acres of their 60-acre farm ripe for the picking. Be sure to come back in December to pick up a Christmas tree, too.
Hill Orchard
4 Hunt Road, Westford, MA
“A real farm experience” as described by the website, Hill Orchard offers 25 different apples, hay rides and a farm stand with more fresh foods to pick up.
Autumn Hills Orchard
495 Chicopee Row, Groton, MA
Not only is it apple season at Autumn Hills, but Italian Plums, raspberries and concord grapes are still available through the end of September. The farm’s hilltop position also provides a great view of the surrounding Massachusetts landscape.
Flat Hill Orchards
421 Elmwood Road, Lunenburg, MA
Tucked away off the beaten path, Flat Hill Orchards is perfect for those who want to steer clear of the crowds. Pick your own apples and pears, browse the farm stand, and take home some cider for a quintessential fall day.
Berlin Orchards
310 Sawyerhill Road, Berlin, MA
Now offering Jonagold, Macoun, Macs, Gala and Cortland apples in the orchard, along with pony rides, face paintings, sugar pumpkins, cider donuts and plenty more.
Schartner Farms
279 W Berlin Road, Bolton, MA
In addition apple picking and cider donuts, Schartner Farms has a corn maze, and this year, they’ve teamed up with Nashoba Valley Winery for a “Taste the Maze” wine tasting, with six wine tastings total, coming up on October 19.
Kimball’s Fruit Farm Stand
184 Hollis Street, Pepperell, MA
Kimball’s offers pick your own varieties throughout the season, but it’s also the perfect place to go if you want farm fresh quality without the legwork. Their farm stand houses fresh produce, and you know it’s good: Kimball’s is responsible for supplying fruits and vegetables to Boston restaurants like O Ya, Post 390, Ten Tables and more.
Russell Orchards
143 Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA
Pick your own apples, browse the bakery offerings, and enjoy wine tastings every Friday and Saturday at the orchard’s winery. That’s the best kind of apple picking experience – one that ends in wine.
Tougas Family Farm
234 Ball Street, Northboro, MA
Not far outside of Boston, you’ll find apple orchards, pumpkin patches, a barnyard and freshly stocked kitchen with baked goods and items from the farm at Tougas Family Farm in Northboro.
Apple Lane Farm
2393 Main Street, Lancaster, MA
Founded in the 1800s, Apple Lane has been up and running in Lancaster for more than 100 years. Located on a hilltop, apple pickers can wonder through the orchards and overlook the Northern Worcester County Hills. There’s also a horse ranch located on the farm.
Cider Hill Farm
45 Fern Ave, Amesbury, MA
With different varieties of the many fruits and vegetables that cover the 70-acre orchards at Cider Hill Farm, you’ll have no problem getting lost in the trees on a nice fall day. With renewable energy projects taking place, you can feel good knowing you’re at a progressive farm.
Image via Shutterstock
