If you live in New England, apple picking is undoubtedly on your family calendar this autumn. (We’ll be honest — we’re thinking more about the apple cider doughnuts, but that’s just us!)
This fall, try one of these 12 favorite pick-your-own apple orchards with your family — they’re all within an hour of Boston (ordered alphabetically by town). And for MORE fall fun, make sure to check out our guide to fall in Greater Boston!
Cider Hill Farm :: Amesbury
Three generations of family work to make Cider Hill a place for you to create and share memories with the ones you love. Plus, they take an environmentally responsible approach to growing their apples, beets, corn, berries, plums, kale, tomatoes, and more.
Getting there: 43 miles north of Boston
Bonus fun: Cider donuts, apple cider, pies, breads, muffins, pastries, honey, farm animals, tractor rides, hay maze, pumpkin picking
Nashoba Winery :: Bolton
Talk about variety — Nashoba Winery grows nearly 100 types of apples, including dozens of antique breeds. (And despite its name, the picturesque country setting is perfectly friendly to families with young children.)
Getting there: 43 miles west of Boston
Bonus fun: Wine tastings and tours, beers and spirits, full restaurant, peach picking
Connors Farm :: Danvers
USA Today touts Connors Farm as one of the 10 best corn mazes in the country, and the farm’s apples are just as notable.
Getting there: 23 miles north of Boston
Bonus fun: Corn maze, barnyard animals, campfires, cow milking, cow train, grain train, pipe slide, pedal carts, sandbox, duck races, pumpkin bowling
Carlson Orchards :: Harvard
In addition to the 60,000 bushels of apples Carlson Orchards grows on their 140 acres, they produce 500,000 gallons of apple cider annually. If you can’t make it to the farm to pick your own, look for Carlson goods at Whole Foods, Shaw’s, and Star Market.
Getting there: 33 miles west of Boston
Bonus fun: Apple cider, apple crisp (with whipped cream!), applesauce, jams/jellies, honey, frog pond, pumpkin patch
Belkin Family Lookout Farm :: Natick
Belkin calls itself one of the oldest continuously operating farms in the country, and they’re dedicated to providing a destination for Boston families to find both fun and quality nutritious produce.
Getting there: 18 miles west of Boston
Bonus fun: U-pick orchard, corn maze, taproom, outdoor dining, farm market, live music, trivia nights
Boston Hill Farm :: North Andover
If you’re looking for a variety of tasty treats to compliment your apple eating and picking, Boston Hill Farm is your place. Apple picking is on through October.
Getting there: 24 miles north of Boston
Bonus fun: Bakery (with doughnuts, muffins, pastries, fudge, pies, and bread), ice cream, petting farm, hayrides, pumpkin picking
Smolak Farms :: North Andover
Smolak Farms aims to combine agriculture, education, and entertainment through their festivals, fruit picking, and tours. Smolak’s antique apple orchard boasts 20 different varieties planted 20 years ago to preserve apples that are no longer grown for commercial harvest
Getting there: 29 miles north of Boston
Bonus fun: Hayrides, playground, animals, duck races, bouncy house, wagon rides, face painting, batting cages, huge slide, educational tours
Brooksby Farm :: Peabody
Minutes from the North Shore, this farm boasts strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and peaches during the summer, but the apples steal the show come fall.
Getting there: 19 miles north of Boston
Bonus fun: Cider doughnuts, produce-filled farm store, honey, pumpkin yard, play yard, farm animals, Fall Fairytale Trail, hayrides, cut your own flowers, Sunday Story Hours, birthday parties, Christmas trees
Dowse Orchards :: Sherborn
Dowse Orchards and its roadside farmstand provide a classic New England apple-picking experience without the commotion of more commercialized farms.
Getting there: 24 miles west of Boston
Bonus fun: Fresh cider, vegetables, pumpkins, flowers, Christmas trees
Davis Farmland :: Sterling
Your paid admission to Davis Farmland or Davis Mega Maze gets you bushels of fun at a discount!
Getting there: 49 miles west of Boston
Bonus fun: Bounce pillow, playgrounds, animal feeding area, splash pad, Adventureland, Imagine Acres, MooTown, and more!
Honey Pot Hill Orchards :: Stow
A family-owned and -operated farm for nearly a century, Honey Pot Hill offers two dozen varieties of pick-your-own apples throughout the season.
Getting there: 27 miles west of Boston
Bonus fun: Hayrides, apple cider, apple cider doughnuts, farm animals, hedge mazes, and a farm store offering a variety of fruits, veggies, and baked goods
Shelburne Farm :: Stow
Shelburne Farm claims to be the oldest pick-your-own apple orchard in the area, and they offer everything from peaches to apples to pears to pumpkins.
Getting there: 28 miles west of Boston
Bonus fun: Cider doughnuts, hayrides, tractor playground, caramel apples, cider, duck races, Orchard Story Walk, hay climbing mountain, farm animals
