It’s one of the most wonderful times of the year… apple picking season! Pick your own has already begun at some farms in Connecticut and New York and will continue through October.
It’s one of the fall activities we all look forward to every year! Just remember to check before heading out to see if the farm you’re planning to visit requires a reservation and to check on the harvest schedule… especially if there is a particular apple you’d like to pick!
Barton Orchards
63 Apple Tree Ln, Poughquag, NY
(845) 227 -2306
Apple picking has begun
PYO open Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Additional Attractions: Playground, animals, ice cream stand, gem stone mining, mini golf, concessions, farm stand, Tree Top Adventures Thursday – Sunday, but needs to be reserved online. Music on Friday & Saturday evenings, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. No entry fee (except during festival weekends).
HV Apple Festival, Saturday, September 21, & Sunday, September 22, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard
278 Leavenworth Road, Route 110 in the White Hills section of Shelton, CT
(203) 926-1098
Apple picking begins September 7
Bakery open daily, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (PYO open on weekends, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Additional Attractions: Bakery & Distillery
Bishop’s Orchards
1355 Boston Post Rd, Guilford, CT
(203) 458-PICK – daily updates
Apple picking has begun
PYO open daily, 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Additional Attractions: Market, creamery & winery.
Fall Festival at the Big Red Barn begins on Saturday, August 31
Blue Jay Orchards
125 Plumtrees Rd, Bethel, CT
(203) 748-0119
Apple picking opening date TBD
Market open daily 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Additional Attractions: Farm market, bakery, pumpkin patch
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard
130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY
Apple picking has begun
Additional Attractions: Offering something for guests of all ages: BBQ lunch, hot apple cider donuts, refreshing apple cider slushies, fresh baked pies, pumpkins, and gifts, all while enjoying live country music. For our adult guests, bartenders will be slinging our locally famous Hardscrabble Cider.
Fall Festival 2024 weekends in September & October
Hidden Gem Orchard
2500 Purchase Brook Road, Southbury, CT
Apple picking begins September 6
PYO open Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (no hay rides to and from the orchard on Fridays) Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (hay rides available both days, dependent on weather)
Farm Stand open Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Additional attractions: Farm stand & hay rides
Lyman Orchards
32 Reeds Gap Rd, Middlefield, CT
(860) 295-3886 – 24-hour hotline
Apple picking has begun
Open daily, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Additional Attractions: Golf, apple barrel, corn maze, farm market and events including sunflower and corn mazes
Harvest Music Festival, September 7, noon – 5 p.m.
March Farm
160 Munger Lane, Bethlehem, CT
(203) 266-7721
Apple picking begins early – mid September
Open daily, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Additional Attractions: Market, bakery, playscape, hay rides, animal yard & corn maze
Outhouse Orchards
139 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY
(914) 277-3188
Apple picking has begun
Open daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Additional Attractions: Corn maze, farm stand, woodier pizza & pumpkin picking
Fall Festival August 31 – October 31
Rogers Orchards
2876 Meriden-Waterbury Tpke, Southington, CT
(203) 879-1206
336 Long Bottom Rd, Southington, CT
(860) 229-4240
Apple picking has begun
Open Friday – Sundays at both the Home Farm and Sunnymount locations, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. including Labor Day & Columbus Day
Additional Attractions: Bakery
Silverman’s Farm
451 Sport Hill Rd, Easton, CT
(203) 261-3306
Apple picking has begun
Apple picking is open 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Market open daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., animal farm open daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Additional Attractions: Animal Farm, playground & country market
Fall Festival 2024 Saturday, September 7 & Sunday, September 8
Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm
1335 White Hill Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY
(914) 245-5111
Apple picking has begun
Wednesday – Monday, CLOSED on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (PYO open, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
Additional Attractions: Corn maze, farm market, ice cream, winery & bakery.
Know Before You Go
- Call ahead to check on conditions and the types of apples available for picking.
- Some orchards require reservations, check to see if this is necessary at the farm you choose, before you go!
- Dress appropriately for the outdoors and for potentially changing weather conditions. Terrain in orchards is usually grassy and bumpy with hills to climb/come down.
- If you want to bring your dog, check ahead of time. Some orchards do not allow pets.
- Don’t forget to bring your camera!
- Definitely bring snacks… many of the orchards are a bit of a drive from Stamford.
How To Pick The Best Apples
- Apples ripen from the outside of the tree towards the center, so the apples out the outside of the tree will ripen first.
- Once they’re picked, apples stop ripening.
- To picking apples directly from a tree, roll the apple upwards off the branch and give a little twist.
- Don’t throw apples into your basket or bag after picking. Handle them gently to prevent bruising and spoiling.
- Don’t wash apples until right before using them to keep from spoiling.
- Keep apples cool after they’re picked to increase their shelf life.
