Travel Itinerary
Crisp winds sweep through painted forests, scattering gold and crimson leaves across winding country roads. Orchards stretch over rolling hills and mountain valleys, where branches bend heavy with apples.
Families wander between rows, laughter mingling with the crunch of leaves underfoot. Warm cider donuts, spiced air, hayrides, and fiery sunsets turn each stop into more than a harvest – it’s autumn stitched into memory.
1. Ricker Hill Orchards – Turner, Maine
Perched high above the Androscoggin River Valley, a sixth-generation family farm offers sweeping views with every apple you pluck. Sweet scents of cinnamon-sugar donuts drift through the crisp mountain air, tugging at childhood memories and sparking fresh cravings.
Adults with thirsty taste buds can sip award-winning hard ciders made right on site, each pour carrying the orchard’s character in every drop. Daily picking updates are shared online, since some apple varieties disappear quicker than a trick-or-treater’s candy haul.
2. Applecrest Farm Orchards – Hampton Falls, New Hampshire
History hangs from every branch at New England’s oldest continuously operated apple orchard. Weekend festivals transform this 200-year-old farm into a celebration with live bluegrass bands, tractor-pulled hayrides, and bustling farm markets.
Hungry pickers swear by their apple cider donuts – still warm when handed over. Smart visitors check online for which varieties are ready before making the trip!
3. Shelburne Orchards – Shelburne, Vermont
Where else can you pick McIntosh apples while gazing at Lake Champlain’s sparkling waters? This magical spot pairs mountain vistas with the most photogenic rows of trees you’ll ever see.
Weekends bring the irresistible aroma of hot apple cider donuts fresh from the fryer. Their website updates picking conditions daily so you won’t waste a trip when fields close early.
4. Champlain Orchards – Shoreham, Vermont
Eco-conscious fruit lovers flock to a certified eco-apple orchard where sustainability isn’t just a promise, it’s the heartbeat of the land. Rows of trees carry not only beloved classics but also heirloom apples bursting with flavors supermarkets can’t begin to match.
A detailed harvest calendar takes the guesswork out of what’s ripe, guiding visitors straight to the sweetest picks. After the baskets are full and little ones drift off to sleep, adults can unwind with small-batch hard ciders that capture the orchard’s spirit in every sip.
5. Honey Pot Hill Orchards – Stow, Massachusetts
Kids squeal with delight tackling the legendary Big Green Monster Maze while parents plot their apple-picking strategy. This family favorite balances playtime with serious picking, over fifteen varieties spread across scenic hillsides.
Those famous cider donuts? Worth every minute in line! Check their daily field updates before visiting since popular varieties like Honeycrisp disappear faster than you can say “autumn.”
6. Carlson Orchards – Harvard, Massachusetts
Cider enthusiasts raise their glasses in a handsome barn-turned-taproom where craft hard ciders flow with orchard-fresh character.
A sprawling 140-acre property invites peaceful picking, far from the bustle of flashier farms, while crisp air carries the faint perfume of ripening fruit. Apple season begins in late August with early varieties, and weekly social media updates keep visitors in the know about which fields are open – vital intel during peak foliage weekends when everyone chases that golden apple-picking selfie.
7. Jaswell’s Farm – Smithfield, Rhode Island
Since 1899, a charming Rhode Island gem has perfected the art of farm-fresh indulgence.
Bakery cases brim with warm apple pies, buttery crumbles, and cider donuts so fragrant they spark instant cravings.
The orchard offers an intimate, welcoming feel compared to sprawling mega-farms, letting every visit feel personal. Just don’t forget they’re closed on Tuesdays, even during peak season, a detail that’s left more than a few hungry families pressing noses to locked gates with sighs of disappointment.
8. Lyman Orchards – Middlefield, Connecticut
Connecticut’s apple paradise stretches across 1,100 acres of pristine farmland, offering 32 crisp varieties ready for eager hands.
An elaborate corn maze with a fresh theme each fall transforms wandering into family-friendly adventure scented with hay and cider. Arriving early on October weekends saves you from spending prime orchard hours in entrance lines.
Pro tip: snag a Hi-Top Apple Pie from the Apple Barrel market before heading home, its buttery crust and sweet filling earning legendary status.
9. Fishkill Farms – Hopewell Junction, New York
Eco-conscious families love this Hudson Valley treasure where apples grow under organic and eco-certified practices. The 270-acre paradise offers picture-perfect rows of trees against stunning mountain backdrops.
Smart visitors book timed reservations online – especially for peak October weekends. Your admission includes charming wagon rides out to the picking fields where staff point out which varieties are at their absolute prime!
10. Indian Ladder Farms & Cidery – Altamont, New York
Where else can you pick heirloom apples then toast your harvest with craft cider in an open-air biergarten? This Altamont gem sits dramatically below the Helderberg Escarpment, creating jaw-dropping backdrops for your orchard selfies.
With over 40 apple varieties across 60 acres, flavor explorers discover tastes beyond standard supermarket offerings. Their weekend food trucks serving farm-inspired bites make this a delicious all-day adventure!
11. Terhune Orchards – Princeton, New Jersey
Just minutes from Princeton University’s ivy-covered walls, this 200-acre family farm feels worlds away from academic stress. Their Van Kirk Road orchard offers peaceful picking without the carnival atmosphere of larger operations.
Weekend warriors discover a different scene with 30+ family activities during Fall Family Fun events. After filling your bags with apples, unwind at their winery tasting room where live music and estate-grown wines create perfect autumn vibes!
12. Linvilla Orchards – Media, Pennsylvania
Philly families have flocked to a Delaware County wonderland for generations, where famous Pumpkinland transforms 100 acres into a fall playground filled with hay bale mountains, apple cannons, and cheerful train rides.
Apple picking feels like stepping into a cherished tradition rather than simply filling a bag of fruit, with laughter echoing across the fields.
Checking the website before visiting is wise, since special weekend festivals often include pie-eating contests and apple slingshots that leave kids giggling long after the day is done.
13. Solebury Orchards – New Hope, Pennsylvania
Escape the chaos at a peaceful Bucks County haven where apple picking feels almost meditative, carried along by the scent of fallen leaves and ripening fruit.
Gentle hills and thoughtfully spaced trees create zones that never feel crowded, inviting visitors to linger without rush.
On weekends, tractor-drawn wagons rumble toward distant fields heavy with perfect apples. A smart reservation system keeps the experience calm and unrushed, sparing guests from the elbow-to-elbow picking that spoils the mood elsewhere.
14. Fifer Orchards – Camden-Wyoming, Delaware
Four generations of farming expertise shine at a beloved Delaware destination where “Eat, Shop, Pick, Play” feels like a ready-made blueprint for a perfect day.
Kids dash through the corn maze while parents fill baskets with crisp apples, sweet aromas drifting from nearby stands. Country Store Kitchen tempts with farm-fresh goodies, making skipping lunch a mistake you’ll regret. Fall weekends layer on hayrides, pumpkin patches, and apple cider donuts so addictive they somehow taste even sweeter beneath the orchard trees.
15. Larriland Farm – Woodbine, Maryland
Maryland’s pick-your-own paradise runs with impressive efficiency, posting “today’s harvest” updates that save guests from wasted trips when fields close early.
Red Barn workers welcome visitors with warmth that makes first-timers feel instantly at home.
Weekend hayrides roll out to distant fields heavy with apples, kids chattering about straw mazes waiting afterward. Fresh-pressed cider carries the pure taste of autumn in every sip, a perfect reward after bags are filled with crisp, juicy treasures.
16. Carter Mountain Orchard – Charlottesville, Virginia
Perched high above Charlottesville, this mountaintop orchard delivers Blue Ridge panoramas that steal breath faster than the altitude. Visitors clutching warm apple cider donuts pause mid-bite to photograph the rolling valley views.
Weekends bring music, wine tastings, and inevitable crowds – savvy pickers arrive when gates open. Their online “current picking conditions” prevent disappointment when popular varieties run out, saving you from that sad drive home with empty bags!
17. Marker-Miller Orchards – Winchester, Virginia
Shenandoah Valley’s apple paradise blends serious picking with playful touches, including a sprawling playground that delights kids once little arms tire of reaching for branches.
Saturday wagon rides carry guests straight to the juiciest rows, saving energy for filling baskets.
Country market bakery fills the air with aromas of apple pies and cider donuts, each treat worth every indulgent bite. Smart visitors check the website for picking hours, since fields close 30 minutes before the official end of day, avoiding the frantic rush that can dampen the mood.