Quick-and-Easy Guide to PYO Apple Orchards across New England

An abundance of apples - More varieties ripen every week!

Are you headed apple picking this weekend? 

Looking to break out of your stand-by and try a new place? 

Need an excuse for a road trip? 

Can't wait to get started now that apple picking season is in full swing?

New England Fall Events has you covered with our state-by-state guides, our individual farm pages, lists of farm features, maps, directions and more!

Your Quick and Easy Guide to Apple Picking in New England:
(click on the link below for your state's guide)

Pick-Your-Own Apple Orchards in Massachusetts

Pick-Your-Own Apple Orchards in Connecticut

Pick-Your-Own Apple Orchards in Rhode Island

Pick-Your-Own Apple Orchards in New Hampshire

Pick-Your-Own Apple Orchards in Vermont

Pick-Your-Own Apple Orchards in Maine

Remember, we have state guides for Hayrides, Corn Mazes, and Pumpkin Patches too if you’re looking to expand your farm visit beyond apples!

Expert Tip # 3 for Apple Picking in New England--With or Without Kids

Expert Tip #3: Apple Picking for Fabulous Family Photos

If capturing priceless moments of your little ones (or big ones!) on camera is top priority, try to coordinate a visit midweek or early in the season.  A super busy orchard dramatically increases your chance of capturing perfect strangers in the background of your family photos so plan accordingly!

Midweek visit not in the cards? Aim to visit a PYO orchard with fewer "extra" activities. You may have to forgo the hayride or the mini-maze but you might also find you have a whole row of apples all to yourself!

Tip for Capturing Beautiful Apple Picking Photos – Dressing in bright colors will stand out nicely against the glossy green leaves of the apple trees. Apple picking is a very favorable activity for capturing beautiful candid moments. 

Looking for a guide to help you plan your apple picking this fall?

New England Fall Events has done all the research for and compiled guide, features, maps, and contact info for your local or vacation-area New England PYO apple orchards. 

Here are your quick links to the apple picking guides:

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island.

Find interactive orchard and fall attraction maps for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

We've got you covered with Hayrides, Corn Mazes, Food Festivals, and Fall Events guides for every New England State! Visit New England Fall Events for a complete list of great fall events and family activities.

Expert Tip # 2 for Apple Picking in New England--With or Without Kids

Expert Tip #2: Make the Most of Time You Have

Peaceful row after row of apple trees
at Highland Farm, Holliston, MA

Sometimes it can seem like the weekend is already spoken for and it can be a challenge to work in your favorite fall activities. Don't stress about it and don't make yourself nuts trying to pack in a storybook day at the orchard if it's really not in the cards. 

Let's be honest, the more ambitious your apple picking plans are, the more time you will need--for travel, for the hot donuts, for the pumpkin patch, for the hayride--and that's all before you even pick your first apple!

If you’re short on time, seek out a local orchard so you can spend your time amongst the rows of fruit, not driving in your car. If you’re really only looking to pick apples—and only apples- select a straightforward orchard that is tailored just to fruit picking. In fact, consult one of our interactive state maps to identify an orchard set apart from the others--why? Less traffic! You won't find yourself bottlenecked with every other orchard-goer heading to the same apple region at the same time.

Find interactive orchard and fall attraction maps for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Tips for Apple Picking with Kids – Sometimes less is more. If your budget doesn’t allow for the pony rides, pumpkin picking, or an ice cream treat at the end, then stick to the still very fun, no- frills, apple-only orchards.

Looking for a guide to help you plan your apple picking this fall?

New England Fall Events has done all the research for and compiled guide, features, maps, and contact info for your local or vacation-area New England PYO apple orchards. 

Here are your quick links to the apple picking guides:

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island.

We've got you covered with Hayrides, Corn Mazes, Food Festivals, and Fall Events guides for every New England State! Visit New England Fall Events for a complete list of great fall events and family activities.

Expert Tip # 1 for Apple Picking in New England--With or Without Kids

Expert Tips for Apple Picking--With or Without Kids

Absolutely nothing outranks apple picking as the quintessential fall tradition in New England. New Englanders have strong opinions about our favorite orchard and why it’s the one we go to every year. Thankfully, there is no shortage of scenic, charming, and downright special orchards to choose from—truly something for every kind of apple lover. We’re not here to tell you where to go, but these surefire tips will help you savor the experience—with, or without kids in tow.

Expert Tip # 1: 

Find Your Motivation

Whether your plan is to stock up on ripe local fruit for baking pies or simply to have an outdoorsy family outing, if you know what you're looking to get out of the experience you won’t feel overwhelmed by the multitude of fabulous New England orchards and their abundance of offerings and activities. 

Apple picking is fun at every age!

Larger orchards have picnic tables, kitchens, farm stands, ice cream, petting zoos, playgrounds, pumpkin patches, and more. In turn, the larger orchards also tend to be abuzz on the weekends with kids, families, strollers, general noise, lines, and yep, traffic. Still, you can certainly have a blast at this special kind of all-day adventure but be prepared for added stimulation.

If you are seeking to make a full day out of your trip to the orchard, find a farm that has more than one activity to enjoy.

Remember, smaller or moderate-sized farms, particularly those just outside of “apple country” can also provide you with very sweet experience, even without the “extras.” Look for a farm that features apples....and pretty much just apples...and you will be treated to a distraction-free visit to pick a peck of juicy, crunchy apples. It's a different kind of experience and you will need to be willing to forgo the hayrides and the maybe even the cider donuts.

Tips for Avoiding the Apple Picking Crowds – If you can, go on a weekday afternoon after the school field trips and buses have departed.

Remember, always call ahead before heading out to PYO as some farms will adjust their hours for weather or they close to allow more time for fruit to ripen.

Looking for a guide to help you plan your apple picking this fall?

New England Fall Events has done all the research for and compiled guide, features, maps, and contact info for your local or vacation-area New England PYO apple orchards. 

Here are your quick links to the apple picking guides:

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island.

New England Fall Events allows you to scroll and spot farm locations on the interactive state maps to help you plot out and plan your trip! 

Find orchard and fall attraction maps for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

We've got you covered with Hayrides, Corn Mazes, Food Festivals, and Fall Events guides for every New England State! Visit New England Fall Events for a complete list of great fall events and family activities.