The Best Orchards for Apple Picking Near You

Is there a more quintessentially Fall activity than a trip to the apple orchard? It’s equal-parts relaxing and rewarding, meandering through rows of trees, bags and bushels overflowing with red, yellow, and green bounty.

For inspiration getting out the door and into the brisk Fall air, check out our roundup of top spots for apple picking in your city, curated with help from our property and market experts. Many of them are on operating farms, so you can enjoy a bit of country living.

 

Boston

Brooksby Farm

54 Felton St. Peabody, MA. 01960.

 978-531-7456

Spanning more than 270 acres, Brooksby Farm in Peabody is a favorite destination for its apple picking and pumpkin patch. Locals love the Farm Store and Bakery – Don’t forget to pick up a box of their beloved apple cider donuts! For more details on Brooksby Farm, click here.

 

Honey Pot Hill Farm

138 Sudbury Road, Stow MA

(978) 562-5666

Situated in Stow, this 186-acre farm regularly ranks as one of the best orchards in New England. After you’ve picked your share of apples, adventure through one of the hedge mazes, take a hay ride, have a glass of hard cider and say hello to the barnyard animals. For more information on Honey Pot Hill Farm, click here.

 

Chicago

All Season’s Orchard

14510 IL Route 176

815-338-5637

About 60 miles away in Woodstock, Illinois, All Season’s Orchard offers more than 15,000 fruit trees, including apples and pears. Have lunch at its Country Kitchen, get lost in a maze, stop by the petting zoo and don’t miss the 10-acre pumpkin patch. For more details on All Season’s Orchard, click here.

 

Los Angeles

Willowbrook Apple Farm

12099 Oak Glen Road

(909) 255-1107

This beautiful farm features orchards planted more than 100 years ago. In addition to picking your own apples, you can press your own cider. And, there’s a winery on-site. Sounds like a fun day! Just don’t forget to greet Delilah the mini-pig and Star the mini-donkey, two of Willowbrook’s mascots. For more information, click here.

 

Snow-Line Orchard

39400 Oak Glen Road

(909) 256-0405

Another farm, winery and cidery worth considering is Snow-Line Orchard, about 80 miles east of Los Angeles. It offers apple and raspberry picking. Its historic grounds include the original packing shed and cider mill. After touring the grounds, wind down your day with a bottle of wine or cider in the lush picnic area. For extra details, click here.

 

New York

Wright’s Farm

699 State Route 208 Gardiner, NY, 12525

(845)-255-5300

This six-generation family farm in the Hudson Valley is known for its amazing apples and sustainable farming methods. An impressive 453 acres, it also grows berries, tomatoes, pumpkins, squashes and string beans. At the end of the day, don’t forget to pick up a jar of jam or jelly, all made in-house. For hours and information, click here.

 

Hank’s Pumpkintown

​240 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill, NY 11976

(631) 726-4667

If you’d rather pick apples in Long Island, Hank’s is the go-to spot. Rows upon rows of apple trees, large swaths of pumpkin patches, and the steady bustle of visitors give this farm a punch of vibrancy. Families enjoy the interactive stunt park with 7-acre maze, rides, slides and games. For hours and information, click here.

 

San Francisco

Earthseed Farm

3175 Sullivan Rd.

(510) 289-1508

This 14-acre solar-powered organic farm and orchard is located on the ancestral lands of the Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo Peoples in Sonoma County. Its farming practices are based on AfroIndigenous permaculture principles. Here you'll find a variety of apples, pears, persimmons, plums, pluots, guavas, and berries. To learn more about EARTHSeed Farm and its hours of availability, click here.

 

Apple-A-Day at Ratzlaff Ranch

13128 Occidental Rd

(707) 823-0538

Established in 1924, the family-run ranch is known for its Gravenstein and Roman Delicious apples, as well as its award-winning apple cider. For more information, click here.

 

Washington, D.C.

Hollin Farms

1524 Snowden Road

540-623-8854

Located about 60 miles west of Washington D.C. in Delaplane, Virginia, Hollin Farms specializes in in a variety of pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, Angus cattle, and pasture-raised natural beef. Apples currently available for picking include Empire, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Grimes Golden, Mutsu Crispin, Winecrisp, Ida red, Fuji, Stayman, Albemarle Pippen, and and Rome. For more information, click here.

 

Larilland Farms

2415 Woodbine Road

301-854-6110

There’s no shortage of options at Larilland Farms, which grows 27 different varieties of apples. Visit its Red Barn Farm Market for fresh vegetables and cheeses as well as home accessories made by local craftsmen. Activities include a variety of hayrides and straw maze. For hours and more details, click here.

 

The Related Life is written and produced by the Related Life Editorial Team. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest events, news and announcements in your area, and tag us for a chance to be featured @therelatedlife and #therelatedlife.