Apple Picking in Connecticut: Best Apple Orchards for Apple Picking with Kids

It's going to be a perfect apple season this year and the orchards will be bursting with apples in late August. The cost of an apple-picking excursion — buying a bag for a peck or a bushel — is very affordable a day of family fun. You'll be rewarded with a wonderful autumn experience and a bunch of delicious fruit the kids can eat and you can bake with. Starting in late August through October, farms and orchards around Connecticut are ready to welcome families to their apple orchards. 

Don't let those shiny reds go to waste! Try your hand at some of our favorite apple recipes. And for more seasonal activities, explore our Connecticut Fall Fun Guide.

Best Apple Picking Spots Near Hartford

1. Karabin Farms — Southington

This decades-old, family-run farm in Southington has pick-your-own apples starting in late-August until late October. All of their 20 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. According to the website, "Visitors are encouraged to sample the apples before they pick."

 
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 started August 30th all the way through mid-October. They have two locations in Southington (Shuttle Meadow Farm and Sunnymount), both open daily 9am to 6pm. Bags are provided and you can mix and match with all your favorite varieties. Call before you come for most updated information.

3. Dondero Orchards — South Glastonbury

Dondero's has apple picking daily beginning in September and really kicking into gear in October. Pick from 12 different apple types. And then, 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 in Connecticut. Photo courtesy of Rose’s Berry Farm

4. Rose's Berry Farm — South Glastonbury

Rose’s Berry Farm is under new ownership and is a pesticide-free farm! 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 quickly.

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. They also have Asian pears. Picking is available on the weekends.

6. Belltown Orchards — South Glastonbury

Yet another beautiful spot in rustic South Glastonbury, Belltown Hill Orchards has a whopping 24 varieties of PYO apples from the summer to early November all week long. 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.

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 can pick comfortably.and early (starting in August!) Early varieties include Paula Red, Zestar, Ginger Gold and Cortland. 

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

 
Spend a fall day at one of the best apple orchards in CT! Photo courtesy of Beardsley Cider Mill and Orchard

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 are easy to pick from.There are 17 varieties of apple deliciousness. Don't forget to pick up some of their Connecticut-famous cider.

10. March Farm — Bethlehem

The trip 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. Market opens again August 31.

 
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

Stop by for U-pick apples at Averill Farm or snack on the fresh homemade apple cider donuts (even better!). 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. Pre-picked are available as well.

13. Silverman's Farm — Easton

Come and pick your own eating and baking apples starting in late August (open 7 days a week), 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 for apple picking at Bishop's in Guilford, CT. 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 varieties of apples from (projected) September to October. And, the creamery is now open! Call Bishop's information line before heading out to the orchard: (203) 458-PICK. 

Apple Picking in Eastern Connecticut

22. Scott's Yankee Farmer — East Lyme

One of the largest farms in Eastern Connecticut, Scott's not only offers apples (starting August 31), 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.

 
U-pick and U-love the fun of apple picking with the family! Photo courtesy of Holmberg Orchards

23. Holmberg Orchards — Gales Ferry

Holmberg Orchards offers a little of everything: a variety of apples for apple picking (starting late August), 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.

24. 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 beginning in September. Enjoy Macoun, Cortland, and MacIntosh (among others) fresh from the trees.