There’s something quintessentially New England about spending a crisp fall day wandering through an apple orchard, picking fruit straight from the trees and enjoying the first signs of autumn. With hundreds of apple varieties grown throughout Maine and New Hampshire, the region’s orchards offer plenty of opportunities to experience the season, from traditional favorites to heirloom varieties and everything in between. Whether you’re planning a family outing, looking for a scenic fall adventure, or simply want to enjoy the flavors of the season, apple picking is a wonderful way to experience autumn in Maine and New Hampshire. Here are some of the region’s favorite orchards to explore this fall.
Ready to start your apple-picking adventure?
Some popular apple-picking destinations include:
- Lakeside Orchards (318 Readfield Rd, Manchester, ME) – Lakeside Orchards is one of Maine’s largest apple farms, with more than 200 acres to explore. Located in Manchester, the orchard offers Pick-Your-Own apples along with a variety of seasonal farm experiences and fresh Maine-grown products.
- Ricker Hill Orchards ( 295 Buckfield Rd, Turner, ME) – A Maine tradition for more than 200 years, Ricker Hill Orchards has been growing apples in Turner since 1803. Visitors can pick their own apples and enjoy a classic fall day filled with orchard views, seasonal treats, and family-friendly activities.
- Cayford Orchards (99 Hilton Hill Rd, Skowhegan, ME) – A sixth-generation family farm, Cayford Orchards offers a unique opportunity to explore Maine’s apple-growing heritage. The orchard is particularly known for its impressive collection of heirloom apple varieties, making it a wonderful destination for those looking to discover something beyond the usual favorites.
- Hansel’s Orchard (44 Sweetser Rd, North Yarmouth, ME) – Set in North Yarmouth, Hansel’s Orchard offers a classic Maine apple-picking experience with Pick-Your-Own apples and a selection of seasonal varieties. It’s an inviting spot to spend a crisp autumn day among the trees.
- Libby & Sons U-Picks (86 Sawyer Mountain Rd, Limerick, ME)– Located on 40 acres in Limerick, Libby & Son U-Picks offers more than just apples. Visitors can enjoy seasonal Pick-Your-Own fruit, including apples, blueberries, and raspberries, making it an ideal destination for experiencing Maine’s fall harvest.
- Meadow Brook Farm (727 Webbs Mills Rd, Raymond, ME)– Meadow Brook Farm in Raymond offers a traditional apple-picking experience surrounded by the beauty of Maine’s countryside. It’s a charming destination for enjoying a relaxed fall day and bringing home freshly picked apples.
- Five Fields Farm (720 S Bridgton Rd, Bridgton, ME) – Five Fields Farm in Bridgton offers Pick-Your-Own apples in a beautiful Western Maine setting. With the White Mountains nearby and the landscape beginning to turn brilliant shades of fall, it’s a scenic place to enjoy Maine’s apple-picking season.
- Sweetser’s Apple Barrel and Orchards (19 Blanchard Rd, Cumberland, ME ) – Home to approximately 1,100 apple trees, Sweetser’s Apple Barrel & Orchards has been part of Cumberland’s agricultural landscape for generations. While the orchard does not offer Pick-Your-Own, visitors can still enjoy Maine-grown apples and seasonal products from the farm.
- Applecrest Farm Orchards: (Hampton Falls, NH) - A fourth-generation farm and one of New Hampshire’s oldest and largest apple orchards, Applecrest offers pick-your-own apples along with a farm market, bakery, cider donuts, and seasonal fall events.
- Mack’s Apples:(Londonderry, NH) - A historic, family-run orchard dating back to 1732, Mack’s Apples offers pick-your-own apples, pumpkins, and other seasonal produce across its large farm.
Apple Picking: What You Need to Know
When is apple-picking season in Maine and New Hampshire?
Apple-picking season typically runs from late August through October, with different varieties ripening throughout the season.
What are some of the best apples to pick?
Maine orchards offer a variety of apples, including popular favorites like Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Cortland, and Gala. Availability varies by orchard and time of season.
What are the best apples for baking?
Apples such as Cortland, McIntosh, and Granny Smith are popular choices for pies, crisps, and other fall desserts. Many Maine orchards offer several varieties that are ideal for baking.
What else can you do at a Maine or New Hampshire apple orchard?
Beyond picking apples, many orchards offer seasonal activities such as hayrides, cider tasting, farm stands, pumpkin picking, and freshly baked treats, making for a classic fall day in Maine.
Explore some of the state’s top orchards: 8 Best Apple Picking Maine Orchards
Once your basket is full, there are plenty of ways to savor the taste of Maine’s apple season. Bring your harvest home for a homemade pie, crisp, or applesauce, or enjoy fresh cider and other seasonal treats at the orchard. Many farms also offer hayrides, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, farm stands, and other fall activities. However you choose to celebrate the season, a visit to a Maine orchard is a simple way to slow down, enjoy the changing landscape, and make the most of autumn in the state.
