Field Trip!
Venture out of the neighborhood and pick yourself a bushel and peck of farm-fresh apples. Here are our picks for 5 Places To Pick Your Own Apples:
Honey Pot Orchards
Honey Pot Orchards is a favorite destination for many Boston families – it is not uncommon to bump into one of your neighbors at this kid-friendly orchard. Located in Stow, MA, you can pick MacIntosh, Cortlands, Ginger Golds, and even pears at this orchard. Honey Pot has a hedge maze and tunnel maze for the kids to run wild in and family hayrides. They also sell amazing apple cider donuts. Open daily – 9am-6pm.
Shelburne Farms
Also located in Stowe, MA, Shelburne Farms attracts lots of kids thanks to attractions like the petting zoo, moon bounce, pony rides, hayrides, and mazes galore. Apples are available in bushels or pecks. Open daily.
Nashoba Valley Winery
If apple picking sans kids is more your speed, head to Nashoba Valley Winery. This beautiful 52 acre hilltop orchard overlooks the charming town of Bolton and offers wine tasting to its guests on the weekends. This family-owned destination offers an orchard, winery, gourmet restaurant, brewery and an exceptional wine and gift shop.
Belkin Lookout Farm
At Belkin Family Lookout Farm the crops are fruitful, including Honey Crisps, Macs, Galas, Ginger Golds in the apple category. There are also blue plums, peaches and Asian pears just ripe for the pickin’! You can fill your U-Pick bags with whatever fruit you’d like. Admission includes lots of fun activities like train rides, a petting zoo, an apple bounce pad, and a hay pyramid.
Brooksby Farm
In addition to picking apples, you can eat cider donuts and fudge! That’s all we need to know! Brooksby Farm is located in Peabody, so not too far from Boston! There is also a farm fresh store that has pies and there’s a barnyard on site so you can get in touch with your inner-farmer.
Insider’s Tip:
For accurate information about which fruits are ripe for picking – check with each orchard individually, as crops may vary from week to week. Also, check for updates to hours, availability etc. before you head directly to orchards.
Give us your favorite recipe for apples! Comment below and share your recipes for apple pie, apple crisp, apple muffins, anything apple.
PS if you’re using apple picking as an excuse to get cider donuts, here’s an interactive map of where to find them locally!
Image via Lookout Farms on Instagram
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
Great information for apple picking. Looking forward to the recipes.