The Ultimate Guide to Apple Picking at Orchards Across the Country

Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards is a century-old, family-owned farm nestled in the scenic Finger Lakes region near Syracuse. Spanning over 400 acres, the orchard features 400,000 apple trees across 20 varieties. Apple picking season typically runs from late August through October, with extended weekend hours providing ample opportunity to fill a basket. Beyond fruit-picking, guests can stroll through a charming general store, café and bakery, and the on-site 1911 Tasting Room & Tavern with hard ciders and apple wines.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tucked into the rolling foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Carver's Orchard & Applehouse Restaurant is a time-honored, family-owned farm that has delighted visitors since 1942. Today, the orchard spans 75 acres and cultivates over 40,000 apple trees with up to 126 varieties. While they don't offer pick-your-own orchards, the experience extends beyond apple buying. Its charming country store is brimming with homemade delights—fried apple pies, apple butter, jams, jellies, cider, and local produce.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Just a short drive from Boston, Honey Pot Hill Orchards, family-owned since 1926, is a quintessential New England fall destination. Sprawled across 186 scenic acres, this charming, fourth-generation farm offers an immersive autumn experience with pick-your-own fruit. From August through early November, you can wander fragrant orchards while snacking on fresh-baked cider doughnuts and sipping hard cider under a festive tent. Add a dose of family fun with hayrides, three hedge mazes (including the epic Big Green Monster maze), and barnyard animals.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Solebury Orchards offers a picturesque and family-friendly pick-your-own experience spanning approximately 80 acres in the scenic rolling hills of Bucks County. In the fall, the orchard bursts with juicy apples (over 30 varieties like Fuji, Pink Lady, Keepsake, and Pixie Crunch) that you can pick yourself after hopping on a tractor-pulled wagon through the rows. And be sure to bring an appetite as Solebury's market tempts visitors with fresh-pressed cider, mouthwatering cider donuts, and more delightful orchard fare.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Nestled just north of Kansas City in Platte City, Apple of My Eye Farm & Orchard (formerly Alldredge Orchards) is a warm and welcoming U‑pick destination for families. The owners have cultivated more than just apples, they've created a place where loved ones can forge meaningful "core" memories together. Along with orchard rows, you can enjoy hayrides, meet friendly barnyard animals, glide down a Mega Slide, or ride the fun-filled train—all on Saturdays and Sundays from Labor Day through Halloween.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Located in the beautiful village of Cooperstown, New York, home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Middlefield Orchard boasts more than 10,000 apple and other fruit trees. Pick-your-own apple season opens in early August and includes everything from Honeycrisp apples to Fuji varieties, plus the always-popular Granny Smith. Hayrides, a corn maze, and a pumpkin patch hunt are just some of the activities families will find at the orchard.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Conveniently located less than an hour from Boston, Parlee Farms boasts 19 acres of dwarf trees, which bear more than 20 varieties of apples. The season usually runs from late August through October and includes a hayride to and from the orchard on weekends and fall holidays. Kids will also get a kick out of the animal barns, tractor ride, hay maze, and more at the farm.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

You'll discover more than 40 varieties of apples at Applecrest Farm Orchard, New Hampshire's oldest and largest apple orchard. Sold by the peck and half-bushel, they begin maturing in August, with varieties like Cortland, Idared, and Hampshire ripening as late as the end of October. Applecrest's Fall Festival, which runs weekends in September and October, features tractor rides, live music, a corn maze, and more.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Five generations have farmed Marker-Miller Orchards Farm since its inception in 1908. Their "family experience" includes picnic grounds, a playground, wagon rides, a cow train, and of course, pick-your-own fruit. And if you don't feel like baking the apples you picked, stop by the bakery for delicious goodies! Then sit back and relax in their porch rocking chairs while enjoying Gaia and Ginger Gold apples in August or other varieties in September.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

This 571-acre property of Scott Farm, founded in 1791, produces more than 130 varieties of apples, most of which are heirlooms. Pick-your-own season for them begins around Labor Day and runs into October. The farm features two U-Pick apple orchards: the Western Block Orchard is loaded with larger trees, which might require a fruit picker to harvest, while the Eastern Block Orchard is planted with dwarf trees for easier picking.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Thanks to a history that stretches back to 1857, the Jollay family knows just about everything about apples. They're willing to share the fruits of that knowledge every September when Jollay Orchards' U-Pick season opens. Pick your own apples and then enjoy the rest of Harvest Festival through October, with activities like a haunted house, hayrides, a corn maze, an animal farm, and more.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

It doesn’t have to be fall to enjoy a visit to Chattooga Belle Farm. Operating in warm South Carolina, the 198-acre working farm and event barn offers a host of activities all year round. That means something is always in season! In summer and fall you can pick produce including apples, peaches, table grapes, berries, exotic fruit, and more. Once you’re done, head to the bistro for lunch and enjoy views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Sitting on 45 acres, this Deal's family-run orchard grows more than 25 varieties of apples. Typically around a half-dozen are available for picking, including Haralson, Cortland, and Chieftain. They're usually ready around mid-September, but even after you've harvested to your heart's content, you're going to want to come back to Deal's in October for their Fall Festival. Featuring live music, a family fun zone, pony rides, a petting zoo and more, it draws thousands each year.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Since 1943, Mercier Orchards has operated as the largest apple orchard in the Southeast. Yes, they're celebrating over 80 years in the business! This one is located just a 20-minute drive from Ellijay, “Georgia’s Apple Capital," and their U-Pick season runs from August through November. The fourth-generation, family- and veteran-owned orchard also features a winery with hard cider tastings, a "candy kitchen" with fresh baked goods, tractor tours, and ponds for fishing.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Did you know that Washington is the #1 apple-producing state in the country? And Snohimish, just north of Seattle, is home to many U-Pick operations. Skipley Farm is one of them, an organic farm with over 500 varieties of apples. You can visit from August through the end of October. Bring your own fillable containers and take home their pressed cider. Or, you can even buy an apple tree from them and grow your own!

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Come every autumn, Los Rios Rancho, the oldest and largest apple farm in Southern California, presents a harvest where families can make memories picking 11 species of apples and pressing their own apple cider. There's even activities like horseback, tractor, and carriage rides as well as a petting zoo and nature trails. Owned and operated by the same family since 1906, Los Rios also features a year-round eatery. Plus, they offer weekly events, including live music, historic entertainment, and living history field trips.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

A father-son duo opened Sky Top Orchard in the 1960s, and they now offer more than 20 apple varieties ripe for the picking from August through October. The farm stretches over 100 picture-perfect acres right atop Mount McAlpine in North Carolina. Just look at it! Along with its gorgeous mountain views, Sky Top features all the classic farm attractions, from hayrides to barnyard animals and fresh-made apple cider doughnuts. You can do an apple-picking-hop, and stop by the dozen other orchards in the area.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

With four orchards containing 20,000 trees producing 30 varieties of apples on 160 acres of farmland, you're sure to find your favorite fruit at Royal Oak Farm Orchard. The season begins in August, but even if the kiddos don't feel like picking, there are other adventures waiting at the orchard. Try out the apple tree maze, the carousel, the petting zoo, and even the Royal Oak Express, a replica of a 19th-century train that young and old alike are welcome to ride.

PLAN YOUR TRIP