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A Guide To Apple Picking In Boston

- By Cristy Maldonado
Fall in Boston means comfortably warm, delightfully sunny days, beautiful foliage, and apples - bushels of them. If you haven't gone apple picking before, let this fall be the first year you partake in this time honored, New England tradition. From fresh apple cider to donuts and apple pies, this guide to Boston area apple picking will get you out of the door and picking in no time.

Before You Go

  • Go Early - Apple picking is such a popular fall activity especially for families with small children. If you want to avoid crowds, try to go as early as possible on the weekends. Columbus Day Weekend is a popular picking time, so be prepared for crowds.
  • More Than Meets the Eye - There are a large number or orchards in Massachusetts, and this list highlights only a small portion. For a comprehensive list of orchards, visit the Massachusetts Pick Your Own Apples website.
  • Room for Fido? - Strolling through an open orchard with Fido in tow may seem like a good idea, however many orchards do not allow dogs for sanitation reasons. Be sure to check the rules for each orchard regarding family pets.

Honey Pot Hill Orchards

144 Sudbury Road,
Stow, MA 01775
(978) 562-5666
Hours: 10am to 5pm during picking season
website

Located about 22 miles west of Boston, Honey Pot Hill Orchards is the perfect place for families to pick apples and participate in numerous activities for children. In addition to cider, donuts, pies, and other treats, Honey Pot offers 25 varieties of apples for picking and purchase in their store. Visit the Honey Pot website for details about the growing season, apple varieties, and family activities including hayrides, a hedge maze, and the chance to meet Honey Pot's loveable mascot, Henry.

9.24.11 - T & O - Apple Picking - CiderHillFarm_Cider Hill Farm
Photo Credit: Cider Hill Farm

Cider Hill Farm

45 Fern Avenue
Amesbury, MA 01913
(978) 388-5525
Hours: 8am to 6pm (May 5 through November 26)
website
Winner of the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources cider contest, Cider Hill Farm, located in Amesbury, is a great place for readers nearer to the North Shore. Cider Hill has plenty of activities for families and also includes a greenhouse and a view of the cider making process.

9.24.11 - T & O - Apple Picking -NashobaValleyWinery
Photo Credit: Nashoba Valley Winery

Nashoba Valley Winery

92 Wattaquadock Hill Road
Bolton, MA 01740
(978) 779-5521
Hours: 10am to 5pm
website

Highly regarded as one of the best places to pick apples in Massachusetts, Nashoba Valley Winery offers nearly 4,500 apple trees in a country setting. And here, you get a bonus, when you stop to pick apples on the weekend, you can also tour the winery and sample some wine.

Russell Orchards
Russell Orchards (credit: Russell Orchards)

Russell Orchards

143 Argilla Road,
Ipswich, MA 01938
(978) 356-5366
Hours: 9am to 5pm
Admission: $3 (credited to your purchase at check out)
website

Located near idyllic Crane Beach, Russell Orchards is a scenic place for picking and (according to locals) eating apple cider donuts. Russell Orchards also offers a variety of fruit wines such as cherry, blackberry, and pear. Hard ciders are available as well.

Cristy is a Boston-based blogger in constant pursuit of fun activities in the city. Read more of her work at bostonurbansafari.blogspot.com

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