Where To Pick Apples, Enjoy Autumn Around Fredericksburg: 2025 Guide

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Fall doesn’t officially start until the autumnal equinox on Monday, Sept. 22, but the season is already underway at Reston area apple orchards and farmers markets.

There are plenty of activities at these fall attractions to appeal to all ages, especially kids.

Patch has compiled a list of some of the best apple orchards and family-friendly fall attractions in and around Fredericksburg. 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.

Braehead Farm

• Address: 1100 Tyler St., Fredericksburg, VA
• Fall Festival Weekends: Every Saturday and Sunday for five weekends, Saturday, Sept. 27-Sunday, Oct. 26, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Admission: $15 per person plus tax for children and adults. Children 2 and under are free.
• Pumpkins are 75 center per pound.
• Pick-Your-Own From Fields: No admission but pay for everything picked.
• Family Playgrounds Admission: $6 per person (children and adults), age 2 and under free plus tax. Add $9 for admission to playground area and fall festival.
• Things To Do: Hayrides, corn maze, scavenger hunt, sunflower walk, photo ops, and visit Braehead Market and Bakery. Concessions are sold at Braehead Farm Kitchen.

Great Country Farms

• Address: 34345 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont, VA 20135
• Hours: Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m, with extended Family Flashlight Corn Maze Nights on Sept.20 and 27 when the farm will remain open until 8:30 p.m. for an after-dark adventure.
• Apples Available To Pick Through September: Gala, Jona Gold, Jona Free, Candy Crisp, Ruby Jon and Fuji varieties. Apples are sold separately and are not included in admission.
• No Weekend Apple Picking: Due to "100-Year Freeze" in April that destroyed most of Great Country Farms' apple crop, pick your own apples won't be available this year.
• Pumpkins Available Last Week Of September Through October: All sorts of shapes, colors, sizes, and textures are in the pumpkin patch. Enjoy picking in late September for the best selection, and the treasure hunt quality the vines provide before the frost.
• Fall Harvest Festival is fun for the whole family with great food, cider, and music. Pumpkins are $.59/lb
• Admission: Weekdays $10/child, $12/adult plus $1 ticketing fee (advance). At-the-gate: $14/guest (adults & kids). Kids 2 and under plus military families (weekdays) no charge.
• Admission Weekends: $12/child, $14/adult plus $1 fee (advance, highly recommended). At-the-gate: $16/guest. Kids 2 and under free.
• Quarterly Season Pass: $119 for your immediate Family = Unlimited visits for September’s Corn Maze, Family Flashlight Nights, October’s Pumpkin Picking and Pumpkin Smashing Fun in November! Renews quarterly from purchase date.

Marker Miller

• Address: 3035 Cedar Creek Grade, Winchester, VA 22602
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, 12-5 p.m. All pick your own stops 30 minutes prior to closing time.
• Pick-Your-Own-Apples: $10 small bag, $14 medium bag, $20 large bag — Golden Delicious (plentiful)
• Cut Your Pwn Flowers: $7.99 a jar

Messick's Farm Market

• Address: 6025 Catlett Road, Bealeton, VA 22712
• Fall Festival: Sept. 20-Oct. 26, Saturday-Sunday and Monday, Oct. 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• What To Do: Petting zoo, corn maze, barrel train, hayrides, crunchkin painting, kid tattoos and zipline.
• Admission: $15 per person; $10 seniors; and ages 3 and under free.
• Pick-Your-Own Flower Patch: Daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Cup: $10; small bag: $15; large bag (for sunflowers): $20; sunflowers: $2 per stem and all other flowers: $1 per stem.

Stribling Orchard

• Address: 115487 Poverty Hollow Lane, Markham, VA 22643
• Hours: Sept. 10-14, 9 a.m.-5 p.m, Wednesday-Sunday. Last pickers allowed into the orchard at 4:30 p.m.
• Picking: Jonathan, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, McIntosh, Gala and Grimes Golden apples.
• Weekends: Bakery is open. Enjoy live music and several vendors will be onsite to include ice cream, kettle corn, wine and hard cider.

Maple Tree Farm

• Address: 8275 Maple Tree Lane, Warrenton VA 20187
• Fall Festival Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Last admission at 3 p.m. Farm closes at 5 p.m.
• Admission: $15 plus $1.43 service fee per person for ages 3 to 99. Children 2 and under are Free. Tickets purchased at the gate (if available) with credit card will include $1.43 service fee. Purchase tickets online.
• What To Do: Light snacks and beverages will be available and pumpkins are available for purchase as long as supplies last.

Mackintosh Fruit Farm

• Address: 1608 Russell Road, Berryville, VA 22611
• What To Do: Pick your own fruits and vegetables, enjoy farm-to-table meals at The Kitchen, visit the Cider Room.

West Oaks Farm & Market

• Address: 4305 Middle Road, Winchester, VA 22602
• Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

This should be a good year for apple picking, according to the 2025 forecast from the U.S. Apple Association, which estimates the harvest will be 6 percent higher than in 2024, for a total of 273 million bushels.

That estimate is based on USDA data from the top seven apple-producing states — respectively, Washington, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, Oregon and Virginia. When other states are considered, total production could be as much as 290 million bushels, the industry trade group said.