Indiana orchards hit their stride once the air turns cool and the apple trees get heavy with fruit. From the Chicago edge of the state to the farm roads around Indianapolis, these seven stops press cider, fry donuts, and let you pick your own apples right off the branch.
Some are big family outings with wagon rides and corn mazes, while others are simple farm stands where a jug of cider is the whole point. Save this list for the next open weekend, because each one gives you a different reason to load up the car.
1. Stuckey Farm Orchard & Cider Mill, Sheridan, IN
Timing matters at Stuckey Farm, since the market keeps a short week. Doors open Thursday through Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM and Sunday from 1 to 7 PM, with Monday through Wednesday closed.
The apple cider donuts are the headliner, made fresh to order on weekends. Pair one with an apple cider slushie and you have the classic Stuckey combo.
Inside, the store is packed with spices, jams, salsa, cider, and pies such as strawberry rhubarb and apple crumble. Fall and Christmas decor fills the shelves too, so it doubles as an early holiday shopping stop.
Outside, you will find a strong lineup of apples and pumpkins. The farm sits at 19975 Hamilton Boone Rd in Sheridan, an easy country drive north of the Indianapolis suburbs, and new outdoor restrooms make a long visit a little more comfortable.
2. Garwood Orchards, La Porte, IN
Getting around Garwood Orchards is half the fun, because wagons carry visitors from one picking section to the next. The rattly tractor ride almost counts as an amusement ride.
U-pick is the big draw here, with apples and pumpkins in fall and strawberries and peaches earlier in the season. The fields also produce a wide range of vegetables, including peppers.
Cider fans should look for both apple and cherry cider, a pairing you do not see at every farm. The in-store bakery keeps donuts coming for anyone who needs a snack between rows.
Garwood is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM at 5911 W 50 S in La Porte. Dogs are allowed inside, and restrooms are on site.
3. Beasley’s Orchard, Danville, IN
Family owned since 1946, Beasley’s Orchard has been part of Hendricks County life for generations. That long run shows in how the farm treats visitors like part of the family.
Here is a nice bonus for off-season cravings. Apple cider is available year-round, and the farm market stays open all year too.
U-pick options cover strawberries, raspberries, apples, and flowers depending on the season. Fall brings agritourism activities, and the market carries fresh produce and baked goods, with staff happy to tell you where things come from.
Find it at 2304 E Main St in Danville, open Monday through Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM and Sunday noon to 6 PM. Accessible parking sits right in front of the store with a ramp, and dogs are welcome inside.
4. County Line Orchard, Hobart, IN
Chicago-area families have been making the short trip to Hobart for years. County Line Orchard sits only about an hour from the city, which makes it a natural fall tradition for folks on both sides of the state line.
Kids get plenty to do, from tractor rides to a corn maze. Grown-ups can focus on apples and the baked goods.
Plan for a crowd on peak weekends, since check-in lines can build up. They tend to move along without too much fuss.
The orchard is open every day from 8 AM to 6 PM at 200 S County Line Rd. An early arrival gives you a head start on the maze and the apple rows.
5. Doud Orchards, Denver, IN
Road trippers heading up State Road 19 in Miami County should plan a cider slushie break. Doud Orchards is known for them, and they make a fine drink for the ride home.
The cider itself is made right on the farm. Shelves also hold apple donuts, baked goods, canned goods, and candies.
Apple variety runs deep, with Honeycrisp among the favorites. Depending on the season, you can also find corn, blueberries, and other Indiana produce.
What sets Doud apart is the gift side of the store. Candles, wax melts, and soaps sit alongside the food, so it is easy to grab a present while you are there.
Doud is open daily from 11 AM to 6 PM at 8971 IN-19 in Denver.
6. Tuttle Orchards, Greenfield, IN
More than 25 apple varieties grow at Tuttle Orchards, plus over 50 kinds of produce. That makes it one of the bigger picking menus near Indianapolis.
The rows of trees are long, and you might pick Cortlands or yellow delicious depending on the week. The pumpkin patch rounds out the fall visit.
Lunch is part of the plan here thanks to the on-site cafe serving farm-to-table food. Cider slushies are on hand too.
The farm store has a huge selection, from fruit butters, jellies, and preserves to popcorn, fudge, pies, pickles, and homemade salsa. Honey from different regions is a nice surprise.
Tuttle is at 5717 N 300 W in Greenfield and is closed Sundays. Weekday and Saturday hours start at 9 AM.
7. Anderson Orchard, Mooresville, IN
Two pecks of apples, a pumpkin roll, and a jug of cider is a classic early-fall haul at Anderson Orchard. Take those apples home and you have the start of apple butter, apple crisp, or caramel apples.
The setup is simple: a fruit stand plus u-pick apples. In summer, raspberry picking adds another reason to stop by.
The staff know their fruit and go out of their way to help, which comes in handy if you are choosing between varieties.
Long hours make it easy to fit in, since the orchard is open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM. Look for it at 369 E Greencastle Rd in Mooresville, where dogs are allowed inside.
With seven farms spread across the state, there is a cider stop within reach of nearly every Indiana weekend plan.
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