Early Fall Apple Picking at NH's Stunning DeMeritt Hill Farm

A stunning early fall day at
DeMeritt Hill Farm in Lee, NH

On Saturday, New England Fall Events took a delightful trip up to Lee, New Hampshire to visit DeMeritt Hill Farm. We were in the area getting a sneak peak of Haunted Overload for our sister site Halloween New England (the haunted trail is located in the woods at DeMeritt Hill Farm) so it was super easy to squeeze in some apple picking fun!

We’d been to DeMeritt Hill Farm before but never had the pleasure of apple picking until now. As it is early in the apple picking season, this trip was a peaceful, crowd-free affair.  The parking is free and easy to access near the entrance and the farm store is just a few steps away. We pre-paid for an apple picking bag at the store and headed outside to climb up onto the hayride wagon.  On this day, farm manager Mike Lynch was at the helm to drive us up to the orchard.

Free hayrides to the orchard

As eager as we were to begin picking fruit, we admit we never wanted the hayride to end. DeMeritt Hill Farm’s expansive New Hampshire property is about as scenic as it can get. We bumped along past rows of mid- and late-season apple trees still ripening.

The incredible New England weather delivered a stunner of a day complete with a blue sky and puffy clouds to complement the lovingly tended green orchard so nicely.  We took picture after picture of the gentle rolling hills as we rode past barns and an equestrian area.
On this holiday weekend, there was nowhere we’d rather be.

Clusters of early-fall Zestar! apples

At the farthest end of the field was the early-season apple orchard. This weekend Ginger Gold and Zestar! varieties were the ones ripe for picking. The rows of the orchard were all very clearly marked the tree branches were bowing with fat, ruby clusters of apples. To be perfectly frank, the apples were so abundant that we could have filled our bag in two minutes flat but, never one to rush a beloved fall activity like apple picking, we prolonged the experience to savor the day.

We thought we had the orchard to ourselves but we overheard a couple few rows over who had their dog in tow. DeMeritt Hill Farm is one of just a handful of dog-friendly New England orchards. As always, dogs are strictly required to be leashed at all times but it is a nice perk for those of us with furry friends.

We didn’t wait long for the hayride to swing through to return us to the farm stand.  On this trip we came kid-free but families with little ones will have plenty of extra farm fun to round out their time at DeMeritt Hill Farm.

In addition to the free hayride, the farm has small petting zoo where kids can feed the chickens and goats, a kids’ play area, room to roam, a pumpkin patch (in season), and mini pony rides for a small fee. There are wooded nature trails on the edge of the property as well which we’ll make a point to do when we return to this farm (trail maps available).

We have yet to meet a person who can leave an orchard store empty-handed and New England Fall Events is no exception.  We stocked up on apple cider, a stunning bouquet of flowers, a slice of fresh-baked carrot cake, and a handful of chocolate treats. Diana Russell, the friendly manager of the farm store, is also the owner of Creative Confections. An accomplished chocolatier, Diana sells a dazzling selection of her rich, creamy chocolaty treats right there in the store (don’t even think of leaving without the peanut butter cups). There are also fruit pies (whole and by-the-slice), cider donuts, farm-grown vegetables, pre-picked apples, local jams, drinks, and even pre-made sandwiches for a quick picnic.

DeMeritt Hill Farm is open from 10:00am-6:00pm seven days a week during the season (they opened Aug 23rd) where you can enjoy apple picking and the treats at the farm stand.
The extra activities for kids such as the mini pony rides available on the weekends only.

DeMeritt Hill Farm has a number of wonderful farm events coming up in September and October. We know that a trip to this southern New Hampshire farm will be well worth your time.



Family Weekend
Saturday and Sunday, September 12th and 13th, 2015 Click for details.

Harvest Weekend
Saturday and Sunday, September 26th and 27th, 2015 Click for details

Halloween Storybook Hayrides  
Saturday and Sunday, October 17th, 18th, 24th, and 25th, 2015 Click for details

Family Tips for Visiting DeMeritt Hill Farm

We love this cheeky sign posted
right outside the farm stand.

• The Zestar apples were ridiculously delicious so if you love a tasty, sweet, juicy apple and you want to beat the crowds, kick start your apple picking season in early-September.
• With a quaint petting zoo for feeding the animals, a play area, and mini-pony-rides, there are some nice extras for rounding out your trip.
• The nature trail heads are located close to the parking lot and farm stand which makes it easy to grab the stroller or your ErgoBaby after you've finished apple picking. We love these great tips for going on a hike with your little one.
• DeMeritt Hill Farm accepts plastic with a $10 minimum.
• The simple pre-made sandwiches and other treats make it easy for an impromptu picnic.
• The farm was easy to find on Lee Rd. (thank you, Waze!). The farm entrance is well-marked and so is the orchard--the rows clearly marked the different apple varieties. 

New England Fall Events: The Everything-You-Need Guide to the Best Fall Activities, Festivals, and Events

With the fall season just around the corner, we have been working round the clock to prepare New England Fall Events with the most up-to-date, comprehensive information about New England farms, orchards, seasonal attractions, festivals, and family fun. Along with our companion website Halloween New England, we have you covered for anything and everything you want to do from September to November in our beautiful, beloved region. 

This fall, New Englanders have much to look forward to. Here are some of the highlights you can expect from New England Fall Events:

More. When it comes to planning your fall fun, having all the information you need in one place is essential. That's what we do best. 

CT Apple Picking Guide on
New England Fall Events

Easy. It's a snap to find what you are searching for on New England Fall Events. You already know where you plan to have fun (state) you have your heart set on what you want to do (apple picking) and in two clicks you have all the PYO apple orchards where you can spend a gorgeous Saturday in October right at your fingertips. 

Useful. Every single farm and orchard on New England Fall Events has a unique page with a list of activities and features about their farm along with a map, contact info, and a website, if they have one. You can easily make your plans by using the map and directions in one click right from their farm page.

Maps. Click on the state where you plan to spend your time and you find a map with all the farms and fall attractions available in every New England state. Click on the dot and you've got a link to their farm or orchard page on our website where you can find more info. 

New England Fall Events'
Interactive Attraction Map

Plan well. If you're autumn lovers and road-trippers like us, you spend your September and October fitting in as many fall traditions and seasonal activities as you can during this special time of year. There's just one all-too-short season to squeeze everything in so we understand that it's essential to be able to plan carefully and smartly. We are your planning solution for fitting in a hayride, a pumpkin patch, and a food festival all in one day. Our state attraction maps are the key to helping you know which activities are within driving distance and which you can reasonably accomplish in one afternoon.  

Inspiration. Starting in September we'll send out weekly updates to make sure you know about fall events and special activities coming up for the weekend. Regardless of whether you are a planner or a spontaneous type, we've got your back. Our regular blog posts will give you an inside, on-site experience of different events, festivals, and outings complete with pointers for planning your visit plus extra tips for families. Remember to add your email to the handy "follow us by email" box on the right-hand side of the blog so you won't miss a single What's Coming Up this Weekend planning guide. We'll come right to your inbox...and we promise to never bother you or sell your information.

Sample Farm Page for
Smolak Farms - N. Andover, MA

Focus. New England Fall Events is website highlighting mostly daytime activities. Night owls and thrill seekers will appreciate our companion site Halloween New England. There you will find similarly useful guides and maps to New England night/haunted corn mazes, night/haunted hayrides, haunted houses and trails, ghost tours, Salem attractions, costumes, and Halloween events. Halloween New England is less family-focused yet it's an invaluable tool for families planning which events and tours are suitable for their kids or teens and which attractions are simply held at night and are non-scary. 

Shop Local, Stay Local. When you use New England Fall Events, you are making a conscious choice to support local family farms, small businesses, and enjoy seasonal activities that are the lifeblood of our communities. By choosing your pumpkin from a local farm, by creating new traditions of annual apple picking, or by spending an hour or two in a corn maze, you are helping to sustain your neighbors and community farms.

We always welcome your thoughts and feedback about New England Fall Events. Stay tuned for more updates and weekly recommendations as we round into fall!