The cooler weather and the fact that pumpkin everything has hit shelves across all coffee shops and bakeries can only mean one thing: fall is almost here! When I think of fall, there is one thing that first comes to mind, and that’s apple season! The possibilities are endless: Apple pie, apple cider donuts, apple sauce. Fairfield County and surrounding towns have some of the best apple picking spots. Check out our recommendations below!
Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard {Shelton}
This seasonal location is only open and ready for picking. On hand this year are Gala, McIntosh, and Honeycrisp. Word to the wise: if Honeycrisp apples are your favorite (mine!), these go the quickest, and sometimes within the first day of picking. 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 really yummy.
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. And if you want to get your pumpkin picking done at the same time, they have a pumpkin patch on site!
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. You have to pay extra to visit the farm animals, and this spot also gets VERY busy during the peak apple picking season. On the weekends, they have food trucks, live music, and fresh kettle corn popping!
Farther Afield…
Bishop’s Orchards {Guilford}
This location is the ultimate in apple picking and fall family fun. Along with fields of trees and many 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, baked goods, jams, and candy. It’s a fun spot, but it can be very crowded during the peak season. Their pick-your-own items are all on different fields, so be sure to check ahead tor the field you will be going to.
Lyman Orchards {Middlefield}
This year, there is a Peanuts-themed corn maze to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the comic, so if you love Snoopy, this is your spot! Lyman Orchards has been commercially growing fruit on the same land overlooking the Connecticut River for more than a century! There are about five different varieties of apples to pick from.
Rogers Orchards {Southington}
About an hour north of Fairfield County, Rogers Orchards is 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. They are usually only open on weekends for pick-your-own apples, Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Harvest Moon Orchard {North Salem, NY}
Family-owned and operated, you and your family can spend a whole afternoon here. Many events are happening throughout the fall season, including live music, BBQ, and a robust pick-your-own calendar. Harvest Moon makes its own farm-pressed sweet and hard 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.
