The apple-picking season in the northeast coincides with the northern New England foliage season, so you can start your day by enjoying the scenic drive to the apple orchard. The Apple harvest in the northeast begins in early August and extends into late October.
At the apple orchard, you can enjoy a day filled with activities for the whole family. Many apple orchards are family-owned with a strong sense of tradition, which makes them a great place to spend a wholesome day.
Most all apple orchards are now offering pick-your-own apples for certain varieties. The most popular pick-your-own varieties are McIntosh, Cortland, Granny Smiths, Gala, Red Delicious, Yellow Delicious, Empire, and Rome. Other varieties of apples can usually be found at the farm stand along with a variety of apple products, cider, jams, pies, honey, maple syrup, vegetables, pumpkins, flowers, local crafts, and other fruits that are in season. Depending on the time of year you plan your visit to the orchard, you may also be able to enjoy pick-your-own peaches, blueberries, or strawberries.
In addition to the family fun that you will experience picking your own apples, many apple orchards now offer additional activities. Some activities offered at various orchards are weekend festivals, hayrides, playgrounds, and petting zoos. If you visit an orchard that crafts its own cider, you may have the opportunity to witness an apple-pressing demonstration. During a visit to an apple orchard on a warm day, you may want to enjoy a light picnic lunch. Depending on the orchard, they may offer meals on-site, or you may need to pack your own. Most orchards will have a nice picnic area with majestic views, where you can relax while you eat. After your picnic, a tasty ice cream treat to help keep everyone cool maybe offered at the farm stand.
Orchard owners are very proud of their harvests and their orchards. If you are interested in how apple orchards operate, some orchards will offer guided tours; however, these usually need to be scheduled in advance. To find the closest apple orchard to you, visit our listings for Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.
Once you pick your apple picking destination, it is always a good idea to call ahead to confirm hours and activities.
Once you return home from your fun-filled day at the orchard, you will want to make
sure you get the most out of your apples. Keep in mind that apples continue to ripen after they have been picked. Make sure to keep store the apples in a cool place to retard the ripening process. Never store your apples at room temperature, as this can ruin their flavor. If you plan to use the apples for baking, visit New England Recipes for great apple recipes and cooking ideas. Apples that are best for baking are Baldwin, Cortland, Hampshire, Kearsarge, McIntosh, Rome, Delicious, and Granny Smith; however, experimenting will keep things exciting. Everyone has different tastes, so you may just create a family favorite that will last for generations.
