With the arrival of autumn in New England, right now is an excellent time to put an apple (or pumpkin) picking excursion on your day-trip calendar!
Enjoy a visit to an apple orchard near Greenwich, Connecticut for a day of unplugged mindfulness. Experience the blazing autumn foliage and the vibrant fall colors of oranges and reds before the weather gets too cold. Head over to destinations to pick apples and other fruits and potentially enjoy pumpkin patches and cornfield mazes!
Before you leave, be certain to procure some maple syrup, jams and jellies to take home with you. They’ll remind you of this amazing day during breakfasts well into the winter months.
(Featured photo above courtesy of Silverman’s Farm.)
Here are Several Destinations to Pick Apples (and pumpkins) Near Greenwich, CT!
Lyman Orchards
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We’ve been commercially growing fruit on the same land overlooking the Connecticut River for more than a century. It’s on this land that you can enjoy being a farmer for an afternoon and pick nearly 100 varieties of fruits from June through October at CT Magazine’s Best Pick-Your-Own Farm in Connecticut!
Since 1741, our family has been stewards of the land. Nine generations later, we still are committed to preserving our farmland for the generations that follow. Our Eco-certified apples and peaches are born and raised right here on our farm. Whether you buy them in the Apple Barrel or pick your own in the orchards, you are getting apples and peaches that are grown in ways that respect and preserve the ecology of our orchard.
Our Pick Your Own Apple trees are nestled on 200 acres of Pick Your Own fruit orchards and fields overlooking the scenic Connecticut River Valley. We have one of the largest apple orchards in Connecticut. It’s no wonder why Lyman Orchards was voted Connecticut’s Best Pick Your Own Farm!
If you’re looking for a fun way to spend a day in Connecticut, a visit to Lyman Orchards PYO Apple Orchards is the perfect destination for a wholesome, fun, family-friendly getaway! And because we grow so many varieties of fruits, it’s worth the trip! The Apple season lasts for 12 weeks (mid August-mid November) and traditionally overlaps the Peach season (mid July-Late September) and the Pear Season (mid August – late September).
While apple picking season is generally considered to be in the fall, each variety essentially has its own little “mini-season.” So keep checking the Pick Your Own hotline 860-349-6015 for updated “what’s picking” news and don’t miss out on trying each variety – you may just discover some new favorites!
Lyman Orchards
105 South Street
Middlefield , CT , 06455
Phone: (860) 349-6015
Website: lymanorchards.com
Blue Jay Orchards
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Pick-your-own apples at Blue Jay Orchards — a picturesque 122 acre farm nestled in the quaint New England town of Bethel, Connecticut, one of the very few remaining commercial orchards in Fairfield County. This farm’s history as a modern orchard dates back to 1934.
As this colorful time of year approaches, the Blue Jay Orchards farm stand is usually stocked with apples, bakery goods, pies, jam/jellies, apple cider, and their fresh cider donuts. ALSO: local honey made from the bees that pollinate the apple trees is available to help with allergy season, along with adding sweetness to many recipes.
The Pumpkin Patch at Blue Jay Orchards opens starting the weekend of September 17, 2022. The demand for pumpkins is greater than the 120 acres they have at the Bethel location – so they actually grow their pumpkins elsewhere, harvest them, and place them in their patch at Blue Jay assuring everyone access to a great pumpkin for the fall!
Blue Jay Orchards
125 Plumtrees Road
Bethel CT, 06801
(203) 748-0119
Website: bluejayorchardsct.com
Bishop Orchards
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At Bishop’s Orchards we work hard and take pride in growing the highest quality fruits to enjoy year after year from our family to yours. All the fresh products are available either seasonally at our Pick-Your-Own (PYO) locations and/or annually at our farm market.
The summer sun shining down on our orchards provides an ideal location to spend part of the day to enjoy the fun of picking your own quality fruit directly from the bushes or trees. Each year the Pick-Your-Own season may vary due to weather and crop abundance, yet generally runs from mid-June until the end of October. You can see the breakdown on our PYO Calendar. To ensure you have the most accurate information, we recommend calling ahead at our 24-hour information phone line of 203-458-PICK (7425). This phone line is also updated daily during the picking season to provide the latest information to all our valued customers.
We look forward to having your family and friends enjoy the fun and experience of our popular Pick-Your-Own season at Bishop’s Orchards! Plan ahead and see when your favorite fruit will be ready for picking to snack on shortly after picking or to prepare delicious meals or canned jams.
Bishop Orchards
1355 Boston Post Road
Guilford , CT , 06437-2399
Phone: 203 453-2338
Website: bishopsorchards.com
March Farm
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March Farm is a fourth generation family farm destination offering seasonal Pick Your Own berries and fruit along with family friendly activities.
The Farm Store and Bakery is stocked with farm grown produce, regional food specialties and fresh baked goods – everything you need to compliment your next meal or dessert. The rustically beautiful Pond Side Pines and Hill Top Orchard event spaces are perfect to host your next special occasion, outing or party no matter how small or large. Join us for our next Farm To Table Dinner and other special events – there’s always something to do at March Farm!
Pick Your Own Apples typically begins in the first weekend of September from the Farm Store Orchard with varieties including Cortland, Gala, Honey Crisp and Macintosh. Picking from the Hill Top Orchard begins mid-September and continues through October with varieties including Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Jonagold, Macintosh, Macoun, Mutsu, Red Delicious and Rome.
Pick Your Own Pumpkins typically begins late-September and continues through October. Grab a wagon and search the fields for a variety of pumpkins including large face pumpkins perfect for carving, smaller sugar pumpkins great for baking, and stackable pumpkins for outstanding decorations.
March Farm
160 Munger Lane
Bethlehem , CT , 06751
Phone: (203) 266-7721
Website: marchfarm.com
Norton Brothers Fruit Farm
Norton Brothers Fruit Farm is a family farm in Cheshire, Connecticut. Our farm is known as a place for a family outing – we welcome you to come, pick fruit, relax at the picnic tables or on the grass, shop in the farm stand, watch the bees making honey, or just enjoy mother nature and the views she provides on our grounds. So come, you won’t be disappointed!
Our farm has a newly converted dairy barn as the retail farm stand where fresh produce, cider, flowers, hay, fresh and frozen pies, cinnamon sugar cider donuts, native honey for those with allergies, jellies and jams, snacks, and seasonal gifts are on display for sale. Here at Norton Brothers Fruit Farm we work hard to grow the highest quality fruits for you. We offer several varieties of peaches, apples, pears, and blueberries for you to pick-your-own. Bags are provided at no cost.
Norton Brothers Fruit Farm
466 Academy Road
Cheshire , CT , 06410
Phone: (203) 272-8418
Website: nortonbrothersfruitfarm.com
Outhouse Orchards
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Walk up to the barn and grab yourself a half bushel, pick your own bag and take a tour of our orchard as you find the best apples to fill your bag with.
Come early or come late there will always be apples, pears and peaches to pick through the months of September and October even if you have to barrow a pole picker for hard to reach apples, pears and peaches.
Pre-pay $30.00 for a small bag (15 lbs of fruit) or $45.00 for a large bag (25 lbs of fruit) for your bag and the orchard and it’s glorious views are yours for the day.
ALSO: If you came for pumpkins then you came to the right place. There is a wide selection of pumpkins, gourds and Halloween decorations that will get you in the fall spirit as soon as you lay eyes on our pumpkin patch (all pumpkins are vine free). Pick your favorite pumpkin and the friendly staff will weigh for you at the check out tent.
Our 2022 corn maze is ready for you to solve! Purchase your ticket and take a walk through the twists and turns of the maze to see if you can find your way out. Use the map as your guide to find the hidden clues about monsters and amazing feats of farming so that you may solve the puzzle.
Outhouse Orchards
139 Hardscrabble Rd
North Salem , NY , 10560
Phone: (914) 277-3188
Website: outhouseorchardsny.com
Rogers Orchards
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Established in 1809, Rogers Orchards represents eight generations of family fruit growing in Southington, CT. A bicentennial farm, Rogers Orchards is a Connecticut landmark and a proud testament to Connecticut’s farming heritage.
Have you ever eaten an apple that you picked yourself off a tree? It can’t get any fresher! All picking is from the ground, no ladders necessary, so even the smallest family member can be part of the fun.
Nothing beats a cool, crisp fall day in the orchard, with bright red or golden yellow apples just ripe for picking! Bags are provided so you can fill them with your favorite varieties. Mix them up if you wish! Our Pick-Your-Own season begins around Labor Day with McIntosh apples and continues through late October when Golden Delicious, EverCrisp and Pink Ladies ripen. In between you can pick Cortland, Macoun, Empire, and Red Delicious. All your favorites for eating or baking!
Pick-Your-Own is open early September to late October on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at both the Home Farm and Sunnymount locations from 10:00-5:00, weather permitting. Don’t miss a real taste of New England autumn; plan your trip to Rogers Orchards!
Rogers Orchards
336 Long Bottom Road
Southington , CT , 06489
Phone: (860) 229-4240
Website: rogersorchards.com
Beardsley Cider Mill and Orchard
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In Shelton, Connecticut you can pick-your-own apples on a plot of land that the Beardsley family has been farming on since 1849!
Apples were originally planted at Beardsley’s in the 1920’s — and they are still being harvested today. The rejuvenated orchards at Beardsley’s consist of over 10,000 dwarf and semi dwarf apple trees which only grow to a maximum of 10 to 12 feet for easy picking.
You can pick-your-own (on weekends only) in September and October (weather permitting) from 10am-5pm. Use the contact information below to call and ask for the exact dates and the varieties of apples that will be available for picking!
Beardsley’s Cider Mill offers untreated cider for making hard (alcoholic) cider. You can drop off your own container, barrel, or carboy, and they will fill it with fresh cider. The best apples for making hard cider usually ripen in late October thru early November such as Winesap, Northern Spy, Golden Russet, Fuji and Yellow Delicious, but some customers prefer hard cider from the earlier varieties too.
You will smell their farm-baked pies before you even walk into the Cider Mill. They are stuffed full of fresh fruit and are baked on the premises every day. You may also purchase their pies frozen to bake at your convenience.
Their Farm Bakery has apples available, as well as apple cider, pies, donuts, cookies, and other flavors of autumn and the holiday season!
Beardsley’s Cider Mill
278 Leavenworth Road
Shelton, CT 06484
203-926-1098
Website: beardsleyscidermill.com
Silverman’s Farm
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Silverman’s Farm has been a family owned and operated business since the early 1920’s – and these days the crowds come out in large numbers for the fall festivities, including pick-your-own apples!
If you’re seeking an autumnal wonderland to visit, where you can lose yourself in the hues, scents, and activities of the season – Silverman’s is the spot!
Fall foliage sets the backdrop for colorful displays of “New England” squashes, gourds, colorful mums, and indian corn. Haybales and cornstalks provide a vivid backdrop for unusual photo opportunities.
Silverman’s Farm also has an animal farm where you can see, pet, and feed all sorts of unusual animals, including: buffalo, llamas, sheep, goats, fallow deer, emus, long-horn cattle, and exotic birds.
Silverman’s Farm
451 Sport Hill Rd
Easton, CT 06612
(203) 261-3306
Website: silvermansfarm.com
Disclaimer: Information is harvested (at time of publication) from publicly available sources and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed – any editorial content is solely opinion-based – availability, prices, dates, times, details, and etc are subject to change or withdrawal at any time and for any reason. All dimensions are approximate and have not been verified. All data should be independently verified.
Writing by Eric J. Taubert (Taubert Gallery). Find him on Facebook at @taubertgallery. X at @erictaubert. Find him on Instagram at @taubertgallery.
