Apple Picking Near Hartford

1. Karabin Farms — Southington

This decades-old, family-run farm in Southington has pick-your-own apples starting in September until late October. All of their 17 varieties are pruned in the dwarf manner, so little kids can reach the deliciousness. All PYO includes a free wagon ride to the orchard, Friday through Monday. If you go on the weekends, you’ll be able to check out the doughnut and snack shack. They also have a variety of animals to visit such as cows, horses, and pigs. PYO apples are sold by the bag. 

 
Grab a piece of fall fun at the best Connecticut apple orchards. Photo courtesy of Rogers Orchards

2. Rogers Orchards — Southington

You can pick your own apples Labor Day through mid-October. They have two locations in Southington (Home Farm and Sunnymount), both open Friday to Sunday. Bags are provided and you can mix and match with all your favorite varieties. Pay before you pick, and then find your favorite apples from 20 different varieties.

3. Dondero Orchards — South Glastonbury

Dondero's has apple picking daily beginning in October. On the weekend, check its bakery for homemade apple fritters! After picking your apples, be sure to ask for the list of suggested baking ideas for your delicious pickings!

 
Picking your own apples is a cherished fall tradition. Photo courtesy of Rose’s Berry Farm

4. Rose's Berry Farm — South Glastonbury

Rose’s Berry Farm is a beautiful U-pick destination. Offering a variety of 7 tasty apple types, Rose's gives families lots of open-sky picking. Stroll down a path and pick fresh, crunchy apples right off the branch with a snap. Your bag will fill up very fast! Until October, Rose's also does Sunday Breakfast where the menu reflects the berries and other produce grown on the farm.

5. Irish Bend Orchard — Somers

Irish Bend offers pre-picked fruit or PYO apples. Beginning in September, Irish Bend grows 10 different varieties, including 2 less common in Connecticut: Smokehouse and Cameo. Go apple picking all day from Friday to Sunday. 

6. Belltown Orchards — South Glastonbury

Yet another beautiful spot in rustic South Glastonbury, Belltown Hill Orchards has 24 varieties of PYO apples from mid-August to early November, on weekends only. Stop by the on-site market to choose other fresh offerings, such as jams, jellies, and cider donuts. Pick-your-own apples are priced by the pound.
Face masks are currently optional. 

7. Easy Pickins' Orchard — Enfield

North of Hartford in Enfield is Easy Pickins' Orchard. All of the 21 varieties of apple trees are fully-dwarfed and offer apples for picking from just above the ground to a 6-foot level so that everyone, even the most petite members of the family, can pick comfortably. Early varieties include Paula Red, Zestar, and Ginger Gold. You can also shop for things like stunning rainbow beets, honey, and baking mixes from the online shop, and pick up upon your arrival.

8. Lost Acres Orchard — North Granby

Another great spot for apple picking north of Hartford is Lost Acres Orchard, which has PYO apples starting in the second week of September. While there, check out the farm store, which sells apples, cider, pies, breads, soups, jams, quintessential mums, and handmade quilts.

Apple Picking in Connecticut - Litchfield and Fairfield

9. Beardsley's Cider Mill and Orchard — Shelton

Beardsley's is a smaller apple orchard, tucked away among the many historical farms in Shelton. Its rustic brown wooden barn and farmhouse building hide an orchard of more than 5,000 apple trees. The orchard's dwarf and semi-dwarf trees with branches never growing higher than 10-12 feet are easy to pick. Beardsley's also has a farm store with all sorts of delicious foods: apples, local honey, homemade bakery products, and the chief attraction: freshly pressed apple cider straight from the orchard's cider mill. Picking begins September 13 and is available weekends only.

10. March Farm — Bethlehem

Just the trip itself to this wonderful 100-year old family farm is a feast for the eyes: scenic, gently-winding country roads along and over fast creeks lead you up to the farm. Apple trees cover 50 acres of hills on both sides of the road. The farm store sells fresh, seasonal produce and all sorts of apples and homemade bakery products in addition to giant pies, cider-flavored donuts, and rich cookies. There is a play-scape on site as well as farm animals for the little kids to befriend. Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; prices range from av1/2 peck ($12) to 1/2 a bushel ($35).

11. Blue Jay Orchard — Bethel

Look for the bright red barn. The farm store is jam-packed with farm treats like blueberry and maple syrup, baking mixes, and fresh pies and donuts. But if you want to pick your own, you'll have to reach into the trees to select one of your favorite from 36 different styles of flavorful apples. Picking is open from September to late October.

 
Let your kids feel proud of their hard-earned treats at a CT orchard! Photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins

12. Averill Farm — Washington Depot

Averill Farm is a Litchfield County favorite where apples take center-stage. Stop by for U-pick apples or to snack on the fresh homemade apple cider donuts. Tables and chairs are set up outside by the orchards where you can enjoy the gorgeous view of the hills. Bite into a Paula Red, Tydeman, or Red Free starting August 20. 

13. Silverman's Farm — Easton

Come and pick your own eating and baking apples starting in late August, and introduce the kids to Silverman's animal farm too (admission fee required). They have goats, llamas, sheep, and even buffalo! Before you leave, pick up some fresh apple cider or a fresh Silverman's pie to take home. J and D kettle corn is available on the weekends.
 

Apple Picking in Connecticut - New Haven and Middletown 

There are 20 varieties of apples to pick in Guilford. Photo courtesy of Bishops's Orchards.

14. Bishop's Orchards — Guilford

Family owned since 1871, Bishop's offers 110 acres of apple crops. Come and pick from the 20 varities of apples from late-August to October. On weekends, Bishop's provides a tractor ride to the orchard. Call Bishop's information line before heading out to the orchard: (203) 458-PICK. 

Apple Picking in Eastern Connecticut

23. Scott's Yankee Farmer — East Lyme

One of the largest farms in Eastern Connecticut, Scott's not only offers apples (starting Labor Day), but also berries, peaches, and pumpkins. Hitch a ride on a tractor and see the farm from a different perspective. Make sure you stop in the market and see the cider press being used. The most up to date information is always on the farm's Facebook page.

24. Horse Listeners Orchard — Ashford

Horse Listeners boasts a large variety of apples, peaches, blueberries, and an assortment of veggies. Apples are ready for pie-making in mid-September. Horse Listener's has a fully stocked farm store year-round. For the most variety, come in October when 9 of the apple varieties are ready. Looking for a little more? Stop by their market and get all your fruit for the week.

25. Holmberg Orchards — Gales Ferry

Holmberg Orchards offers a little of everything: a variety of apples for apple picking, a superb farmers' market and bakery with lots of local offerings, and a winery that features hard ciders and fruit wines. When apple picking, pre-purchase your container (choose from a 3 lb bag up to a 13 lb bag) for entry. Check for weather and picking updates on the website.

26.  Whittle Willow Spring Farm — Mystic

Whittle Willow Spring Farm has been around for a century. This lovely, little farmer's  market offers all sorts of freshly picked farm product including pick-your-own apples. Enjoy Macoun, Cortland and MacIntosh amongst others fresh from the tree. 

27. Wright's Orchard — Tolland

Wright's invites you to pick your own apples every season from over 20 varieties. For best harvesting times, check out their harvest schedule.