Here's a quick round-up of Internet links to pick-your-own orchards in New England. Plus, click here for more than 50 spectacular apple recipes from New England inns and restaurants. Enjoy!
Connecticut
Bishop's Orchards - Guilford, Connecticut
This 135-year-old family farm has been an apple picking destination since the 1940s.
Lyman Orchards - Middlefield, Connecticut
If you're looking for an apple picking outing that offers so much more, Lyman Orchards is your ideal spot for a daytrip. Visit the Cider Mill, get lost in the corn maze, buy specialty products at the Farm Market and even play golf on Lyman's two 18-hole courses.
Silverman's Farm - Easton, Connecticut
Silverman's provides a handy chart of apple varieties and offers apple picking in southern Connecticut throughout the fall.
Maine
Apple Acres Farm - South Hiram, Maine
Visitors to Apple Acres are encouraged to do much more than just pick apples. They can picnic, view the fall foliage, eat fudge-dipped apples (oh, twist my arm!) and take hayrides to the pumpkin patch, too.
Lakeside Orchards - Manchester, Maine
Lakeside Orchards offers more than a dozen different varieties of apples. Apple lovers are invited to pick their own fruit, visit the retail store or even order Maine apple gift packs by phone.
Maine Apple Orchards - statewide
The Maine Department of Agriculture provides this directory of Maine apple orchards, searchable by county.
Massachusetts
Autumn Hills Orchard - Groton, Massachusetts
Pick your own apples at this authentic working farm on more than 80 acres. Autumn Hills Orchard offers more than 20 varieties of apples and pears, spectacular mountain views and antique tractors. The orchard's Ann Harris tells me that though Autumn Hills is near Boston, it's a bit off the beaten path, "but that's the fun of it, as there are no crowds." She also says, "Our fruit is very high quality, as we grow for specialty commercial markets as well as our you-pick customers."
Carver Hill Orchard - Stow, Massachusetts
Carver Farm offers apple picking, plus cider, apple pies, pumpkins, crafts and apple gift packages for shipment anywhere.
Nashoba Valley Winery - Bolton, Massachusetts
Nashoba Valley Winery grows a variety of fruits--and not just for wines! The orchard offers apple pickers 13 varieties to choose from in a beautiful, scenic setting.
Red Apple Farm - Phillipston, Massachusetts
Located 60 miles from Boston, in addition to pick-your-own apples, Red Apple Farm offers pumpkin picking, hayride tours, a petting zoo, walking trails, fall weekend barbeques and New England gift packs for shipping.
Shelburne Farm - Stow, Massachusetts
Shelburne Farm is the oldest pick-your-own apple orchard in eastern Massachusetts. Stop at the Apple Shop for New England goodies including sweet cider, Vermont and Massachusetts cheeses, jams, jellies and other local products. Hayrides and hot cider doughnuts are available on weekends.
Tougas Family Farm - Northborough, Massachusetts
During fall apple picking season, enjoy a hayride (weekends and weekday afternoons) and pick your own apples at this family farm, open through October.
New Hampshire
Alyson's Apple Orchard - Walpole, New Hampshire
This pick-your-own apple orchard is part of a 500-acre Connecticut River Valley farm. A farm stand is open daily through Thanksgiving as well.
DeMeritt Hill Farm - Lee, New Hampshire
In addition to 25 varieties of apples for you to pick, this apple farm offers a bakery, children's play area, family hiking trails, a farm store and hayrides on the weekends. Dogs are welcome if they're kept on a leash.
Gould Hill Orchards - Contoocook, New Hampshire
This 200-year-old family farm grows more than 85 varieties of apples. First-time apple pickers are welcome--orchard personnel will show you what to do.
Poverty Lane Orchards - Lebanon, New Hampshire
McIntosh, Cortland and Macoun apples thrive at this New Hampshire orchard, which also grows a range of other varieties "just for curiosity's sake." Pick your own apples daily through early October, and sample the orchard's Farnum Hill Ciders line of hard ciders, too.
Riverview Farm - Plainfield, New Hampshire
Pick your own fresh apples straight from the trees at this 10-acre orchard.
