12 Pick-Your-Own Apple Orchards Near Boston

If you live in New England, apple picking is undoubtedly on your family calendar this autumn. (We’ll be honest — we’re thinking more about the apple cider doughnuts, but that’s just us!)

young girl picking applesThis fall, try one of these 12 favorite pick-your-own apple orchards with your family — they’re all within an hour of Boston (ordered alphabetically by town). And for MORE fall fun, make sure to check out our guide to fall in Greater Boston!

Cider Hill Farm :: Amesbury

Three generations of family work to make Cider Hill a place for you to create and share memories with the ones you love. Plus, they take an environmentally responsible approach to growing their apples, beets, corn, berries, plums, kale, tomatoes, and more.

Getting there: 43 miles north of Boston
Bonus fun: Cider donuts, apple cider, pies, breads, muffins, pastries, honey, farm animals, tractor rides, hay maze, pumpkin picking

Nashoba Winery :: Bolton

Talk about variety — Nashoba Winery grows nearly 100 types of apples, including dozens of antique breeds. (And despite its name, the picturesque country setting is perfectly friendly to families with young children.)

Getting there: 43 miles west of Boston
Bonus fun: Wine tastings and tours, beers and spirits, full restaurant, peach picking

Connors Farm :: Danvers

USA Today touts Connors Farm as one of the 10 best corn mazes in the country, and the farm’s apples are just as notable.

Getting there: 23 miles north of Boston
Bonus fun: Corn maze, barnyard animals, campfires, cow milking, cow train, grain train, pipe slide, pedal carts, sandbox, duck races, pumpkin bowling

Carlson Orchards :: Harvard

In addition to the 60,000 bushels of apples Carlson Orchards grows on their 140 acres, they produce 500,000 gallons of apple cider annually. If you can’t make it to the farm to pick your own, look for Carlson goods at Whole Foods, Shaw’s, and Star Market.

Getting there: 33 miles west of Boston
Bonus fun: Apple cider, apple crisp (with whipped cream!), applesauce, jams/jellies, honey, frog pond, pumpkin patch

Belkin Family Lookout Farm :: Natick

Belkin calls itself one of the oldest continuously operating farms in the country, and they’re dedicated to providing a destination for Boston families to find both fun and quality nutritious produce.

Getting there: 18 miles west of Boston
Bonus fun: Train rides, farm-themed play area, farm animals, moon bounce, children’s caterpillar rides, farm maze, hay pyramid, pony and camel rides, face painting, a snack shack (drinks and snacks), and pizza and barbecued meals on weekends

Boston Hill Farm :: North Andover

If you’re looking for a variety of tasty treats to compliment your apple eating and picking, Boston Hill Farm is your place. Apple picking is on through October.

Getting there: 24 miles north of Boston
Bonus fun: Bakery (with doughnuts, muffins, pastries, fudge, pies, and bread), ice cream, petting farm, hayrides, pumpkin picking

Smolak Farms :: North Andover

Smolak Farms aims to combine agriculture, education, and entertainment through their festivals, fruit picking, and tours. Smolak’s antique apple orchard boasts 20 different varieties planted 20 years ago to preserve apples that are no longer grown for commercial harvest

Getting there: 29 miles north of Boston
Bonus fun: Hayrides, playground, animals, duck races, bouncy house, wagon rides, face painting, batting cages, huge slide, educational tours

Brooksby Farm :: Peabody

Minutes from the North Shore, this farm boasts strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and peaches during the summer, but the apples steal the show come fall.

Getting there: 19 miles north of Boston
Bonus fun: Cider doughnuts, produce-filled farm store, honey, pumpkin yard, birthday parties, Christmas trees

Dowse Orchards :: Sherborn

Dowse Orchards and its roadside farmstand provide a classic New England apple-picking experience without the commotion of more commercialized farms.

Getting there: 24 miles west of Boston
Bonus fun: Fresh cider, vegetables, pumpkins, flowers, Christmas trees

Davis Farmland :: Sterling

Your paid admission to Davis Farmland or Davis Mega Maze gets you bushels of fun at a discount!

Getting there: 49 miles west of Boston
Bonus fun: Bounce pillow, playgrounds, animal feeding area, and more!

Honey Pot Hill Orchards :: Stow

A family-owned and -operated farm for nearly a century, Honey Pot Hill offers two dozen varieties of pick-your-own apples throughout the season.

Getting there: 27 miles west of Boston
Bonus fun: Hayrides, apple cider, apple cider doughnuts, farm animals, hedge mazes, and a farm store offering a variety of fruits, veggies, and baked goods

Shelburne Farm :: Stow

Shelburne Farm claims to be the oldest pick-your-own apple orchard in the area, and they offer everything from peaches to apples to pears to pumpkins.

Getting there: 28 miles west of Boston
Bonus fun: Cider doughnuts, hayrides, tractor playground, caramel apples, cider, moon bounce, tot hay maze, hay climbing mountain, farm animals