The end of summer and the beginning of fall is apple picking season in Massachusetts. Each weekend the orchards are filled with people picking sweet apples, savoring the taste of apple cider donuts, and filling their baskets with baked goods, fresh produce, and more. Apple picking has become quite the affair here and all around New England. Many orchards are offering entertainment, petting zoos, wineries, and more. Here are seven of Massachusett’s best places to go apple picking this fall.
Honey Pot Hill Orchards
Honey Pot Hill Orchards is a family favorite. We have been picking apples here since the boys were small. Honey Pot is open seven days a week from 9-6 and is located in Stowe, MA. This family-owned farm is 186 acres of apples, peaches, blueberries, and more.
In addition to picking apples, the orchard offers hayrides, farm animals, a pumpkin patch, and a maze. Speaking of the maze, the Green Monster (named after Fenway’s Green Monster) is the largest hedge maze in North America. Honey Pot is known for its warm cider donuts. We always make sure to purchase at least a 1/2 dozen donuts. While the boys are munching on the donuts, I hit up the farm store. The store has a wide variety of jams, jellies, butter, baked goods, cold apple cider, and produce. Are you looking for a bit of lunch? Head over to the farm grill and grab a hot dog, hamburger, or a nice bowl of chowder. Honey Pot has added a hard cider tent for those patrons 21 years and older in the last couple of years.
The farm is open seven days a week, 9:00 am-6:00 pm. The cost of admission is $22.00 for a peck of apples, and that admits three people into the orchard. It is $33.00 for 1/2 a bushel, which admits up to 5 people into the orchard.
For more information, head over to their website.
Connor’s Farm
A few years ago, we headed to Connors Farm in Danvers, MA. Connors Farm is much more than an apple orchard. Open seven days a week; admission includes entrance to the orchard, a corn maze, farm animals, and a play area.
In addition to the above activities, Connor’s Farm hosts a few different themed nights. Hysteria Night is one of the top scream parks in America. It is a 30-minute walking trail through a haunted forest along the banks of a swamp to a real 17th-century burial ground.
For the little ones, the farm hosts a nonscary event called Flashlight Night. Kids and their families walk through the farm, using their flashlights to lead the way.
The farm boasts ten restaurants and food stands, including a BBQ pit, country kitchen, smokehouse, Farmdog grill, and more.
Connor’s Farm is open seven days a week from 8:00 am-5:30 pm. Admission to the 7-acre farm and play areas is $13.00 a person during the week and $18.99 a person on the weekends. The cost of the apples is separate.
For the latest conditions at the farm, hop on over to their website.
Belkin Family Lookout Farm
This family-owned farm is located in Natick, MA. It was one of the first in our local area to offer hard cider and beer. They pride themselves on their outdoor farm dining experience sited on 180 scenic acres. Guests can enjoy Lookout Farm beers, hard ciders, and New England cuisine while taking in the surrounding farm views.
The farm has a play area, farm animals, a farmer’s market and farm stand, fresh apple cider donuts, and of course, an apple orchard! Reservations are strongly encouraged as it is quite the happening place to be around here.
Picking is currently only on the weekends, but make sure to check their site for up-to-date information. The picking hours are 10:00 am-4:30 pm. A half peck bag is $20.00.
To make reservations, see a menu or the latest picking conditions, click here.
Tougas Family Farm
Tougas Family Farm is another favorite of our family. A bit smaller than the others, but certainly not lacking in things to do. The farm is located in Northboro, MA, and has a lovely orchard for picking apples. The admission price includes the apples and barnyard animals, a playground, picnic area, wagon rides, and a pumpkin patch. The farm store smells amazing with apples, fresh pies, cider donuts, and Tougas Farm’s famous kettle corn. If looking for something with a bit more sustenance, Tougas has a farm grill serving lunch.
The farm is open for picking from 9:00 am-4:00 pm. A 10lb bag is $33.00 and admits three people into the orchard. The 20lb bag is $46.00 and permits five people. Be sure to check here for hours for the farm stand and other activities.
Red Apple Farm
I discovered Red Apple Farm while researching this article. This is a family-owned farm located in North Central Massachusetts. It has sprawling views of Wachusett Mountain and the surrounding forests. The farmhouse was built in the 1700s and their fruit is grown using Integrated Pest Management and is a University of Massachusetts Cooperative Extension Mentor Farm.
In addition to picking apples, the farm has a country store with seasonal fruit, baked goods, apple dumplings, donuts, ice cream, gifts, and more. It is known for its homemade fudge and local products. Every weekend summer through fall, the Country Barn is transformed into an outdoor brewery tap “room,” serving up local brews, freshly roasted nuts, barbecue, and popped-on-the-spot popcorn along with other yummy treats.
For the kids, there are wagon rides and farm animals. The farm boasts beautiful walking trails and various festivals and farm outings. I believe this is where we will head this fall to pick apples.
Hours vary, so please check the website for more information.
Bartlett Apple Orchard & Farm Market
The next apple orchard takes us out to the Berkshires in western Massachusets. Bartlett Apple Orchard. In addition to picking apples, the farm has a market with fresh apple cider, donuts, baked goods, and more.
What makes this orchard special is its views. As I mentioned, it is in the heart of the Berkshires, home to many of Massachusett’s beautiful state parks, hiking trails, and more. More information on Barlett Apple Orchard can be found here and make sure to check out my post on the Berkshires. Why not make a weekend of it?
Bolton Spring Farm
Looking for a smaller, quaint place to pick your apples? Look no further than Bolton Spring Farm. Located in Bolton, MA a friend of mine told me about this farm. It is one of the oldest and scenic apple orchards in New England.
The farm is 150 acres of land that transports its guests back to simpler times in New England. There is a farm stand with fresh fruit and veggies, a bakery with delicious baked goods, a kitchen with local honey, jams, jellies, meats, sauces, and more, and a country store with gifts.
The pick your own hours are 9:00 am-4:40 pm daily, Click here to see the latest picking conditions.
As you can see, Massachusetts has some great apple orchards for adults and kids alike. There are many more I could have highlighted, but this gives you a lot of options for now.
Are you looking for other fall activities? Check out my article on five things to do this fall and Ten Fall Activities to do in New England. Make sure to check websites to see current dates and times.
Happy Fall!
Before I go, a shout out to my friend Nicole Jones for sharing her photos from Bolton Spring Farm with me today. She and her family enjoyed a day picking apples and enjoying the beautiful fall weather. I would love it if you would head over to her Facebook page and give her a follow. She is such an inspiration and helps thousands of people on their fitness journeys.
