WHAT IS THE BEST TIME FOR APPLE PICKING IN NEW ENGLAND?
From August to November, you can pick from dozens of varieties of apples at a local orchard. From sweet to sour, the many types of apples provide a delicious snack. Picking your own apples to have fresh fruit or for baking in a pie is a great way of welcoming autumn.
And, WE know you love summer, so do we, but it’s that time of year again! It gets dark a little earlier, the kids are getting ready for school, and you are already thinking about making that fresh apple pie!
BEST PLACES FOR APPLE PICKING IN MASSACHUSETTS:
CARVER HILL ORCHARDS - Stow MA
ABOUT THE FARM:
A little piece of heaven on earth, that’s what they think of their orchards...
A family run orchard located in the heart of apple country. At Carver Hill, they strive to provide their customers with the chance to experience the true beauty of nature. They believe that a visit to the country should be a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of your daily life. Everything should be a bit more beautiful, a bit calmer.
Carver Hill is the perfect environment for creating those priceless memories with family and friends that you’ll remember for years to come!
So take a step back in time, into a world where time slows down just enough to allow you to take in all the beauty and magic that nature has to offer.
They say, “We’d love to share our little piece of heaven with you!”
If you’re looking for a picturesque apple orchard in Massachusetts, Carver Hill Orchard in Stow is for you! This scenic apple orchard is focused on delivering a wholesome apple picking experience and many consider it a hidden gem orchard in Massachusetts.
CARLSON ORCHARDS - Harvard, MA
Carlson Orchards invite you to try all their premium Orchard Products. Whether for special gift giving or personal indulgence, Carlson orchids products are sure to satisfy. They are so convinced that you enjoy their apples, jams, jellies, honey and savories, that if you are not 100% satisfied, they will gladly refund your purchase. Guaranteed.
Why are they so certain? Because Carlson Orchards makes all of their products the old-fashioned way--- all natural, with only the freshest ingredients available. So have a taste of old New England now!
Carlson Orchards also features some of the best hard cider. Another reason to stop by. If you love New England, you probably love Hard Cider this time of year.....Check it out.
Cider Hill Farm
Just over the border from New Hampshire, a place loved by children and adults alike. The fall fun starts with picking your own apples from the orchard, but continues with dozens of other activities. Of course, there is a corn maze, animals to see, and the oh- so-essential cider donut, but there is also a food truck, the PitchFORK, to keep you satiated. One thing is for sure, you won’t go home hungry from this awesome apple farm. We give them an A+ for amazing apples and cider donuts.
NOTE: the 2024 U-Pick Apple Season has ended at Cider Hill
Tougas Family Farm – Northborough, MA
Perhaps the best place to go apple picking with kids. The Tougas Family Farm has actually been named one of 10 best apple orchards in the country! So don’t miss this MA apple orchard when celebrating the fall season.
A family farm since 1981, Tougas is a magical spot with hayrides,
excellent apple picking, a picturesque pumpkin patch, goats to visit with, and much more. It’s a classic fall destination for families from MA and beyond.
They’ve also got a well-stocked farm store (with a drive-through option available on select days) where you can purchase all your favorite apple goodies, like slushies, pies, donuts, scones, and many other baked goods. Did you hear that, Dev, they’ve got the Cider Donuts waiting just for you!
Bartlett’s Orchard – Richmond, MA
A classic New England apple orchard and farm awaits you here at Bartlett’s. The beautiful backdrop of the Berkshires will make your apple picking experience just perfect, and the rest of what the farm offers will ensure you have a day out you won’t forget. The fresh apple cider is not to be missed here, plus all the many other items available in the store. Have fun shopping and celebrating fall!
Honeypot Hill - Stow, MA
Honey Pot Hill Orchards was founded in 1926, when Clifford Martin purchased a 70-acre all-purpose farm in Stow, MA. The farm has since grown and evolved to 186 acres of apples, peaches, blueberries, and a few other small crops. Honey Pot Hill has been in the Martin family for four generations--now run by Andrew and Chelcie Martin, a father daughter team. They say. “We love growing good fruit. It’s our thing.”
Make sure to check out their Hard Cider Tent. Saturdays and Sundays their hard cider tent will be open from 12-4. They will be serving their very own hard cider, there will be live music, and good company!
Lookout Farm in Natick, Mass:
Belkin Family Lookout Farm is one of the oldest continuously working farms in the United States. The importance of farming cannot be overlooked because, “food feeds us all.” Lookout Farm strives to share the agricultural experience with their guests by combining agricultural education with outdoor entertainment. In addition to their fruit U-pick, Lookout Farm grows fresh local fruit for wholesale to many regional restaurants and markets as well as farm fresh hard cider and beer.
Three centuries before Joan and Steve Belkin took stewardship of Lookout Farm in 2005, Natick was just a small settlement west of Boston.
Check out Lookout Farm’s impressive ownership history!
1650: Minister John Eliot and settlers established the farm
1761: Captain David Morse purchased the farm, and his family lived there nearly 75 years
1816: Elijah Perry and family took over and owned the farm for over 40 years
1856: William Hanchett purchased the farm
1894: Charles Whittemore and his brothers took over, and Lookout Farm got its name
1925: The Jennes family took over ownership and operation of Lookout Farm
1986: Joseph Casilnova purchased the farm
1992: The Marino family became Lookout Farm’s new owners
2005: Steve and Joan Belkin purchased the farm
Today, Lookout Farm is as much a part of the Natick community as it was for John Eliot and his fellow settlers more than 300 years ago. Join the fun and you might even see Dev and her staff there! We say, if it’s good enough for the Kardashians (Khloe visited Lookout Farm with her daughter True, when she was in Boston recently) it’s good enough for us!
Smolak Farms - North Andover, MA:
This farm is a working farm that combined agriculture, education, and entertainment in a unique way. For 50 years, Michael Smolak has overseen the farm and expanded it into a community staple. They welcome us to come visit and enjoy.
During September and October, on the weekends from 10 till four, they feature fall Festival weekends. Apple picking, cider donuts, live entertainment, grill favorites, local beers, hayrides and more!!! It truly is a Fall Festival at Smolak Farms.
NOTE: Apple season has ended early at Smolak Farms for 2024, but you can still enjoy pumpkin picking, hayrides, and farm stands!
Barker’s Farm - North Andover, MA
Barker’s farm also known as Barkers farm stand or the Barker farm, is an American farm and orchard and North Andover Massachusetts. This business has been operational since 1642, making it one of the oldest companies in the United States! They specialize in locally grown organic fruits and vegetables. They are known for apples, berries, corn, dairy, ice cream, flowers, honey, and more!
Red Apple Farm - Phillipston, MA, with a Farm Stand on Hanover Street in Boston
If you are like Devon, you can’t resist those fall favorites...Apple Cider Donuts. And at Red Apple, they are Masters of the Craft. The reviews are in and many think they make the BEST Cider Donuts.
They make their apple cider donuts year- round with a whole liter of pure Red Apple Farm cider in every batch. That, plus a generous cinnamon sugar coating, are what make these so addictive. They make ’em fresh on fall weekends and on weekdays year-round as needed. You might just luck out and snag one hot off the line! When the weather starts to cool, these babies will surely warm your heart. We just have to have two!
Are they the best? Well, we think you should be the judge.
And soon the air will be as crisp as the apples, so check out some of Devon’s suggestions for the best Apple picking and Cider Donuts, sure to put a smile on your face and in your belly! Fall in New England is Fabulous especially here at These Days with Devon. We help you uncover some of the BEST Places so you can get the most out of each season, each holiday, each city, and how to simply add more fun into your plans! And if you are like us, we know you are always making plans.