Fall is almost here, and you know what that means…. it’s apple season! Apple pie, apple cider donuts, apple sauce – the possibilities are endless. Fairfield County and surrounding towns are home to some of the best apple picking spots. Check out our recommendations below!
Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard {Shelton}
This seasonal location is only open when the fruit is ready for picking. Apple season typically starts around the second week of September, but check their website for details. It’s a little smaller and doesn’t tend to get as crowded as some of the other places around. They offer hard cider starter kits if you want to make your own, and their cider donuts are DELICIOUS.
Blue Jay Orchards {Bethel}
The first pick-your-own apple orchard in Fairfield County and still the largest, this scenic spot offers fields of 20+ varieties. You can also take wagon rides through the orchard or visit the store and bakery across the street. This is one of our favorite spots to pick apples.
Silverman’s Farm {Easton}
This great spot calls itself “the total farm experience.” Along with pick-your-own and an adjoining market stocked with goodies, this location includes a petting zoo with a great variety of animals you can feed, including goats, llamas, chickens, bunnies, pigs, and cows. You do have to pay extra to visit the farm animals, and this spot also gets VERY busy during the peak apple picking season (and into pumpkin picking season as well). Still fun to stop by if you get there early or visit mid-week.
Farther Afield…
Bishop’s Orchards {Guilford}
This location is the ultimate in apple picking and fall family fun. Along with fields of trees and 20+ varieties of apples to choose from, they have a hay maze, kettle corn, kids’ crafts, and even a winery for the adults. Plus, there is an adjoining farmers’ market where you can buy farm-fresh fruits and vegetables along with baked goods, jams, and candy. A fun spot, but it tends to get crowded during the peak season.
Lyman Orchards {Middlefield}
Voted Connecticut’s best pick-your-own farm. Lyman Orchards takes pride in growing the finest quality fruits for your family. Lyman Orchards has been commercially growing fruit on the same land overlooking the Connecticut River for more than a century! The apple varieties are Gala, Ginger Gold, Paula Red, and Jonamac.
Rogers Orchards {Southington}
About an hour north of Fairfield County, Rogers Orchards makes for a fun day trip. Their market is stocked with fresh produce, local honey, maple syrup, local eggs and cheese, and various other goodies. Their apple sour cream coffee cake is worth the trip.
Harvest Moon Orchard {North Salem, NY}
Family-owned and operated, you could spend a whole afternoon here. There are loads of events happening throughout the fall season, including live music and BBQ, and there’s a robust pick-your-own calendar. Harvest Moon makes their own farm-pressed sweet and hard cider (Hardscrabble Cider), offers an extensive farm kitchen menu and sells fresh produce, local foods, and farm-raised meats.
Also worth mentioning…
Aspetuck Valley Apple Barn {Easton}
This barn on Route 58 in Easton is a great alternative if you want freshly picked apples, pressed cider, and delicious homemade pies but don’t want to deal with the large crowds. This isn’t pick-your-own, but there is a good selection of apples here. It’s also close to Silverman’s as a backup plan if the scene is too hectic.
