Where To Pick Apples In Massachusetts: 2024 Guide

MASSACHUSETTS — There is still time to head to Massachusetts apple orchards and grab a bushel of apples for pies and other sweet treats this autumn season.

There are plenty of activities at these fall attractions to appeal to all ages, especially kids, with many farms and orchards also offering live music, beer, and hard cider for adults.

Patch has compiled a list of some of the best apple orchards and family-friendly fall attractions in and around Massachusetts. Before you go, be sure to call ahead or check the orchard’s website to clarify hours of operation or to check for the availability of apples.

See Also: MA 2024 Leaf-Peeping Guide: When Fall Foliage Will Reach Peak Colors

CIDER HILL FARM
Address: 45 Fern Avenue, Amesbury
Season dates: Sept. 6 through Oct. 18 (farm store open daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Details: Every Friday from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Cider Hill is offering Fall Fridays at the Farm with food trucks, hard cider pumpkins, apples from the farm store and free live music.

BARKER FARM & GREENHOUSE
Address: 1267 Osgood Street, North Andover
Season dates: Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Details: The country's oldest continuously operated family farm serving North Andover and the surrounding communities. The orchard is currently offering a selection of apples for picking. Stop by before the end of the season on Oct. 8. Pick your own pumpkins, and purchase Mums or chicken pies.

BROOKSBY FARM
Address: 54 Felton Street, Peabody
Season dates: Fall apple picking starts Sept. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The farm store is open until 5 p.m. daily from Tuesday through Sunday.
Details: Play yard is open during business hours at no charge, Barnyard animals, Fall Fairytale Trail, Fall hayrides, Cut your own flower bouquet (in season), Story hour on Sundays in November (no charge), Campfire and smores on various Fall weekends, Various pop-up events, Field trips.

TOUGAS FAMILY FARM
Address: 234 Ball Street, Northborough
Season dates: Tuesday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Details: The farm offers a pick-your-own fruit field, store and kitchen, apple tent, grill, beer garden and donut hut opening on Sept. 7. Tougas Family Farm has more than 30 apple varieties, free parking, children's farm-themed playground, barnyard animals, ice cream, baked goods, apple cider and apple cider donuts.

RED APPLE FARM
Address: 455 Highland Avenue, Phillipston
Season dates: Open daily year-round 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Details: Located about an hour northwest of Boston off Routes 2 and 202, Red Apple Farm offers apple picking in season, as well as apple cider donuts year-round, a bbq food area, farm animal petting zoo and a farm store. The Brew Barn, featuring Moon Hill (Gardner) products, sells cider and beer Sunday through Thursday until 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 9 p.m. Live music plays in the barn (or outside when weather permits) most days.

HOLLIS HILL FARM
Address: 340 Marshall Road, Fitchburg
Season dates: Open for retail, ice cream and apple picking 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the outdoor bar and music area open Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. (with extended hours for some fall festivals)
Details: Minutes from the New Hampshire border in north central Massachusetts, Hollis Hills Farm offers pick-your-own apples, as well as strawberries, blueberries and sunflowers in season, as well as ice cream and a feeding area that includes goats, cows and chickens (the goats are the sociable ones). Live music and an outdoor bar and food area, including pizza and BBQ, is every Friday and Saturday night, as well as Sunday afternoon, with expanded hours for some fall festivals through mid-October.

The U.S. Apple Association estimates this season’s crop at 259,517,252 bushels, a 10 percent decrease from last year’s record harvest. Growers across the country report an excellent crop, Chris Gerlach, the trade group’s vice president of insights and analytics, said in a news release.