Crisp fall leaves mingle with the fruity scent of apples. Meander down rows of apple trees as you partake in a favorite fall tradition by picking your own apples. Sample a few varieties and try something new. Apple pies hot out of the oven and apple crisps with whipped cream await you.
Best Apple Orchards for the Full Fall Experience and Family Activities
Riverview
Plainfield, NH. Riverview is our new favorite orchard to take our kids too. All the fall fun in one place. Try the little corn maze, pick your own apples, enjoy a wagon ride, choose the perfect pumpkin, grab some goodies to take home like fresh apple cider, and have a maple creamee (make sure to get the maple candy on top) and indulge looking at the river.
Hours: Open 7 days, Aug.-Oct. 10-5.
Varieties: PYO: Paulared, gingergold, honeycrisp, mcintosh, gala, cortland, zester!, macoun, empire, hampshire, red delicious, northern spy, red fuji, crimson crisp, and snowsweet.
Wellwood
Springfield, VT. As a kid, Wellwood was the orchard I went to for apple picking. Enjoy the beautiful scenic drive down a quiet road. Take the wagon up to pick apples or walk. I’ve enjoyed a picnic at the top of the little hill and took some gorgeous fall photos. Kids will love the petting zoo and everyone will love their massive store with fresh baked goods, cider, and more. Don’t miss out on the donuts. You can also pick your own peaches, pears, plums, and grapes here!
Hours: 7 days, 9-5 June- Thanksgiving
Varieties they grow: Lodi, Vista Bella, McIntosh, Honey Crisp, Red Astercan, Vista Bella, Paula Red, Strawberry Apple, Ginger Gold, Gravenstein, Macoun, Northern Spy, Cortland, Golden Delicious, Wealthy, Empire, Baldwin, Wolf River, Jona Gold, Pound Sweet, Spencer, Jersey Sweet, Twenty Ounce, Red Delicious, and Spartan. PYO Macintosh, Honey Crisp, Cortlands, Ginger Golds, and Macouns. Pre-picked: Macouns and honey crisp
Windy Ridge Orchard
North Haverhill, New Hampshire. I love that Windy Ridges provides a chart of when to pick which varieties on their site. Make the most of your fall day by meandering the trails before you pick apples. Kids will love the cow train rides and the petting zoo. There’s even a cafe and gift shop on site. A great day trip idea. There’s even kettle corn on the weekends; try the caramel.
Hours: 10-3
PYO: Paulared, Macintosh, Honeycrisp, Gala, Empire, Cortland, Spencer, and Macoun. There are pre-picked varieties in the store.
Best Orchard for the Cider and Cozy Experience
Poverty Lane
Lebanon, NH. Up a windy hill, Poverty Lane boosts beautiful views as you pick your own apples at one of the biggest and oldest orchanges in NH. It Is an orchard with vision, planting apples no one wanted and revolutionizing how people viewed hard cider. Come taste the difference.
Hours: Open 7 days, weekdays 9-6, weekends 10-5.
Varieties: PYO: Macs, Macouns, Cortlands. Pre-picked: Macs, PaulaReds, Ginger Golds, and Clapp’s Favorite Pears.
Best Orchard for the View and Goodies
Patch Orchards
Lebanon, NH. Family roots and traditions takes on a whole new meaning when you set foot on Patch Orchards in Lebanon. This land has been in the family since 1775. Pick your own apples or taste their homemade maple syrup or cider. Try their corn maze too.
Hours: Open 7 days 9-5 in October.
Varieties: PYO Mcintosh, Cortlands, Paulareds, Empires, and Macouns. Prepicked available too.
Best for Trying New Varieties
Whitman Brook Orchard
Quechee, VT. This orchard has been lovingly restored and grows varieties you know and love with ones you never have heard of. If you’re looking for a unique apple experience, this is it.
Hours: Saturdays 11-4, Sundays 10-3, Sept. to Nov.
Some Varieties they Grow: Northern Spy, Grimes Golden, Goldrush, Roxbury Russet, and Gala, Hewes, Duchess of Oldenburg, Pomme D’Or, Red Gravenstein, St. Edmond’s Russet, Centennial, Golden Russet, Honeycrisp, Macoun, Spigold, Westfield. PYO: Hewes, Duchess of Oldenburg, Pomme D’Or, Red Gravenstein, St. Edmond’s Russet, Centennial.
King Blossom Farm
Grantham, NH. With heirloom varieties over 120 years old, this is an orchard to try for a completely new experience.
Varieties: Heirloom Macintosh, Heirloom Red Delicious, Jonathan, Summer Rambo, Cortland, Yellow Transparent, Yellow Delicious, Scott, Winter Banana, King David, Hudson, St. Lawrence, Black Oxford, Honey crisp, Stark’s Early Blaze, Rubinette, Blue Pearmain, Gold Rush, Winesap
Wild Hill Organics
Fairlee, VT. Try their wild apple orchard. Call ahead and schedule and appointment to pick apples perfect for apple sauce or cider.
Other Great Orchards to Try
Mt. Pleasant Orchard
Grafton, NH. I hear the apple cheesecake is a must. So pick some apples and take one of those with you too!
PYO: Cortland, Macoun, Red Delicious, Macintosh, Golden Delicious, and Empire.
Alyson’s Orchard
Walpole, NH. Pick apples, pet goats, and enjoy the gorgeous views. If you’re looking to pick more than just apples this is the place to go, offering peaches, plums, pears, nectarines, and berries. They have over 50 varieties of apples and even heirloom varieties.
Hours: 7 days, 9-6.
PYO: Honey crisp, Mcintosh, Cortland, Gala, Ginger gold, Sansa.
