There is something simple and satisfying about pulling an apple straight off the branch and dropping it into your own bag. Missouri has plenty of family farms where you can do exactly that, and most of them pack in extra fun like hay rides, playgrounds, and fresh cider donuts.
Whether you are near Kansas City, St. Louis, or somewhere out in farm country, this list has an orchard within a reasonable drive. Grab a bag, bring the kids, and pick your own crisp apples this season.
1. Historic Weston Orchard & Vineyard, Weston, MO
Voted one of the top 10 orchards in America by USA Today, this 50-acre family farm sits about 35 minutes north of Kansas City. You can pick your own apples from a reported 17,000 trees, which means plenty of room to find your own perfect branch.
One admission covers all 16 on-site activities, including a two-acre corn maze, hayrack rides, a jumping pillow, ziplines, a treehouse village, and a petting zoo. In season you can also pick pumpkins, strawberries, cherries, peaches, and blackberries.
The bakery fries apple cider donuts throughout the day using cider pressed right on the farm, and you will find cider slushies, kettle corn, and caramel apples too. The Cider Barn adds another layer to the visit.
Open daily 9am to 5pm, May through November, at 18545 Co Rd H. Parking is free, so it is an easy stop for a full day out.
2. Schweizer Orchards, St Joseph, MO
Generations of families keep coming back to this St. Joseph orchard, and that says a lot about its staying power. It has become one of those places parents visited as kids and now bring their own little ones to.
The draw here is variety. As you walk the grounds you can see all the different types of apples and a range of pumpkin sizes, right up to the jumbo ones that steal the show.
Inside, the little farm store stays stocked with jams, butters, and other neat finds worth browsing. The farm also grows peaches, popcorn, and presses its own apple cider.
An ever-expanding playground gives kids room to run, and there are extras like shooting apples at a target and riding in a hay wagon. Located at 5455 SE State Hwy Ff, it is open Monday through Saturday 9am to 5:30pm and Sunday 1pm to 5pm.
3. Apple of My Eye Farm & Orchard, Platte City, MO
Slowing down is the whole point at this Platte City farm, which builds its experience around families connecting and making what it calls core memories. It leans into quality, sustainable produce and hands-on learning.
You will find a full lineup for a fall day out: apple orchard, pumpkin patch, goats and chickens to feed, a hay ride, a big slide, and a train ride. There is also a store, a cafe, and a playground.
The farm itself is organized and tidy, and the apples come off the trees looking beautiful. U-pick apples run from Labor Day weekend through Halloween weekend, so timing your visit is easy.
Hours are a little different here, so plan ahead. It is open Tuesday and Thursday 1pm to 7pm, and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm, at 10455 State Rte N.
4. John & Linda’s Fruit and Berry Farm, Bates City, MO
Prefer not to do the picking yourself? At this Bates City farm you can call ahead and have them pick for you, or head out into the rows and gather your own.
That flexibility sets it apart.
The orchard is a pretty spot to explore, and the apples get high marks for flavor. Because the farm grows several apple varieties, different types hit their prime at different times, giving you more than one window to catch great picking.
It is not just apples, either. On a single visit you might come home with apples and concord grapes, since the farm offers a real spread of u-pick fruit, berries, and vegetables.
Prices tend to be friendly, which makes it an easy pick for families. Located at 2428 Texas Prairie Rd, it keeps generous hours, generally 8am to 7pm most days.
5. Hickory Ridge Orchard, Mexico, MO
Soil health, education, and family fun sit at the heart of this first-generation orchard near Mexico, Missouri. It is a newer operation with a clear focus, and that shows in how the place is run.
Beyond apple picking, you can feed animals, play games, and hop on a hay ride or a little train. Families settle in for the day because there is enough here to fill it.
Cider fans have a reason to stop too. The apple cider slushie has become a signature treat worth ordering, and there are baked goods to round out the visit.
Come for the apples and you may leave with more than you expected, including U-pick sunflowers and several types of fruit trees for sale. Dogs are allowed.
Find it at 24688 Audrain Rd 820, open Wednesday through Friday noon to 6pm and weekends 10am to 6pm.
6. Centennial Farms, Augusta, MO
History runs deep at this small, family-owned orchard in Augusta, established all the way back in 1821. That founding date makes it one of the older farms you will visit in the state.
The setup keeps things simple and personal. You climb aboard a tractor ride out to the field and start picking your own apples, with a variety of types to choose from, plus pumpkins in season.
A newly updated kids playground area adds plenty for little ones, including a bounce pad, a spider web climber, and diggers. Add in a hay ride and snacks, and you have a low-key fall outing with a more intimate feel.
Weekends are your window here. The farm is open Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm at 199 Jackson St, with on-site parking available.
7. Thierbach Orchards & Berry Farm, Marthasville, MO
Hours here shift with what is ripe, so this Marthasville farm asks you to check its Facebook or website before heading out. It is a small detail that tells you the fruit really is picked at its peak.
The orchard holds hundreds of apple trees with plenty of variety, and you pick fresh apples right from the branch. When you are done gathering, the charming little on-site market is worth a look.
Families find more than fruit. There is a play area popular with kids, and school and daycare groups have been known to visit for apple-picking field trips.
Do not skip the frozen treats. The peach and apple slush is a favorite, and there are family activities layered in alongside the picking.
It sits at 85 Town Branch Rd, generally open 8am to 1pm.
8. Knowlan Family Farm, Burfordville, MO
Peaceful and well maintained is the vibe at this Burfordville orchard, which makes for an easy family outing without a lot of noise. It is the kind of place where you can spread out and take your time.
One nice touch stands out: the staff will let you taste a couple of apples right off the tree before you fill your bag, so you know you like what you are picking. Free wagons are available too, which helps when you have kids and a growing haul.
Apples are the headliner, but you can also pick blueberries when they are in season. A large playground keeps kids of all ages busy between rows.
Dogs are welcome here. Find it at 3243 MO-34, open Tuesday through Saturday 8am to 4pm.
From the Kansas City suburbs to wine country near Augusta and out toward the eastern edge of the state, Missouri gives you no shortage of orchards to fill a bag. Pick the one closest to you, check the hours before you go, and make a day of it.
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