Although there’s nothing quite like spending your days by the pool or on the beach in the summer, fall is also one of our favorite times of the year, and we couldn’t be more excited for fall activities to start.
If you have plans to go apple picking with family and friends this year, you’ve come to the right place – below, we’ve put together a guide that includes the best places to visit for this purpose in the U.S.! Whether you’re looking to take a road trip or just want some guidance on where to visit in your hometown or state, this should help:
Applecrest Farm Orchards
Applecrest Farm Orchards is located in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire and is the perfect destination for anyone looking to “pick their own” this fall. September in particular is the ideal time to head over, as this is when you can find not only apples, but also peaches, raspberries and pumpkins too!
Mt. View Orchards
For our readers on the west coast, there’s Mt. View Orchards in Oregon! You’ll definitely want to make your way here if you can, not just for the awesome apple picking experience, but for the view that you’ll get of Mt. Hood. In addition to apple picking, Mt. View Orchards also has a pumpkin patch and offers hayrides in October!
Red Apple Farm
For anyone living in or near Massachusetts, consider a trip to Red Apple Farm! It’s only a little over an hour away from Boston, and the orchard is known to produce some of the best fruits in the New England area. Apple picking is available through October, and you can also pick some pears, pumpkins, red potatoes, winter squash and gourds too!
Rileys at Los Rios Rancho
Located in the San Bernardino foothills of California is the Riley Family’s Los Rios Rancho! Los Rios Rancho is considered Southern California’s largest apple farm, and it’s been around since 1906 – you know you’ll be getting something good with all of that experience! Here, you’ll have the opportunity to pick from red delicious, golden delicious, gala, granny smith, fuji and so much more – they offer 23 different varieties of apples.
Shelburne Orchards
Shelburne Orchards can be found in Shelburne, Vermont, and they are open every day for apple picking! During the apple picking season you can find varieties such as red delicious, golden delicious, honey crisp, macoun and fuji, and there are also a limited number of heirloom varieties available for picking too.
Sky Top Orchard
Sky Top Orchard can be found in the mountains of North Carolina, which, aside from picking apples, is an awesome place to visit in the fall for its scenic views! The orchard is open every day from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, and the varieties of apples available for u-pick will change as the season continues. And some words of wisdom that they offer their visitors? Look for apples that have a firm texture as you pick.
Stribling Orchards
Currently farmed by the sixth generation of Striblings in Markham, Virginia, this land offers an incredible selection of fruit, from peaches to apples and more. As you pass through and pick your fruit at Stribling Orchards you’ll get an awesome view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and you may also see some farm animals along the way!
Wightman’s Farms
Wightman’s Farms can be found in Morristown, New Jersey and offers pick your own opportunities on Saturdays and Sundays (through October). This destination is ideal for those who live in the area, as a current year’s Wightman’s Farms Pick Your Own Club Membership is required in order to enter the orchard.
Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm
Situated in Yorktown Heights, New York, which is just about an hour north of NYC for all of our east coast friends, is Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm. 2016 marks their 100th year of harvest, so this is the perfect time to head over for some fall festivities if you’re in the area. The farm’s pick-your-own stations are open daily from 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM, and don’t leave without picking yourself up some fresh pies or their famous apple cider donuts!
