If there’s one thing New Englanders love to do in the fall, it’s apple picking. Luckily, there are enough pick-your-own farms to keep everyone happy. You already know that North Carolina, Virginia, and Ohio are great places to go apple picking, but Connecticut and its rolling green hills have more than a handful of you-pick farms. So, we’ve whittled that number down to 6 to help you choose one to visit.
Where To Go Apple Picking In Connecticut
1. Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard – Shelton, Connecticut
At Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard, you will get the full experience of apple picking, plus some added bonuses! Along with a wide variety of apples to choose from, visitors can stop by Alex’s Lemonade Stand where donations can be made to help children fighting cancer. The best part? Beardsley’s will match all donations. The farm also has a bakery and house-made cider from apples grown onsite. Pick-your-own goes from September to October and is only available on the weekends. Call for picking times.
2. Silverman’s Farm – Easton, Connecticut
Here, visitors can pick their own apples, peaches, blueberries, and the list goes on. The farm also has a petting zoo and seasonal hay rides, both of which ensure fun for the whole family. A beautiful greenhouse adds to the appeal of Silverman’s Farm. On their website, the farm has a guide for which apples work well with which types of foods, so check it out before you go! Pick-your-own starts in mid-August and is available 7 days a week. Call for picking times.
3. Ellsworth Hill Orchard and Berry Farm – Sharon, Connecticut
With 8 acres of 11 different varieties of apples alone, this farm packs quite a punch. Along with apples, this farm also offers pick-your-own strawberries, cherries, plums, pears, and even gourds. The farm provides school and group tours, as well as a corn maze in the fall. The lush pastures and rolling hills of Sharon leading up to the farm will not disappoint. Pick-your-own apples are available from September through early November. Hours are 9am-5:30pm Sunday through Friday and 9am-5pm on Saturdays.
4. March Farm – Bethlehem, Connecticut
The winner of the 2014 & 2015 ‘Best Of Connecticut’ for Farm and Orchard Destination, March Farm sure earns that title. Not only does it offer apple picking, it boasts farm hiking trails, a pond-side animal yard, seasonal hayrides and corn mazes, a picnic pavilion, and harvest festivals. Kids can even get up on a tractor at this family-run farm. Talk about an entertaining weekend! March Farm is open 7 days a week from 9am-6pm. You-pick apples goes from September to November.
5. Averill Farm – Washington, Connecticut
At beautiful Averill Farm, about 100 varieties of you-pick apples are just among its many offerings. Every Saturday from September to October, local wood-fire pizza joint, Pizza to the People, sets up shop in the farm’s orchard. They serve up hot, fire roasted pizzas made with local ingredients. The farm also sells its own apple cider donuts, flowers, jams and jellies. In addition, it provides a space for locals to sell ice cider, pies, cheese, garlic, and cider wine in their farm stand. You-pick starts in mid-August and, depending on the season, can run through December. The farm is open from 9:30am-5:30pm everyday through October and 9:30am-4:30pm through December 23rd.
6. Johnny Appleseed’s Farm – Ellington, Connecticut
With two locations to choose from, this farm makes getting to apple picking easy. The farm stands are located in Ellington and Tolland, and you can pick your way through 60 total acres of apples or 35 acres of peaches if you’re so inclined. The farm also grows and sells corn, squash, pumpkins, and many other vegetables. Catch a free tractor ride to the picking orchards on the weekends. You-pick begins in mid-August and runs through late October. The farm is open 7 days a week from 9am-5pm for apple picking.
This article was written by Julianne Aiello.