Fall in Connecticut has a way of pulling everyone outside, and few things say autumn like filling a bag with apples you picked yourself. The state is packed with family-run orchards where you can hop a tractor, wander rows of trees, and grab a warm cider donut on your way out.
Some of these farms have been growing fruit for generations, and others toss in petting zoos, corn mazes, and hilltop views for good measure. Whether you want a quick stop close to home or a scenic drive through the countryside, there is an orchard here for you.
Below are eight spots across the state that let you pick your own apples straight from the branch. Save this list, share it with someone who loves fall, and start planning your next weekend outing.
1. Belltown Hill Orchards, South Glastonbury, CT
Families who come back year after year tend to have a favorite orchard, and this South Glastonbury spot earns that spot for a lot of them. The setup is simple and fun: you grab boxes or bags from the store depending on what you are picking, then catch a tractor that carries you out to the trees.
What keeps people coming is the sheer amount of pick-your-own options across the season, not just apples. You can hop on and off the tractor depending on which fruit you are after, which makes the whole trip feel like a small adventure.
The apple varieties run wide, and the farm store stocks baked goods for when you want a treat without doing the work. Empire apples are a solid pick if you like something sweet and crisp.
Open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM at 483 Matson Hill Rd, with free and paid parking on-site. It is a well-rounded stop for anyone who wants more than one kind of fruit to bring home.
2. Lyman Orchards Pick Your Own, Middlefield, CT
More than a century of farming on the same land gives this Middlefield farm serious roots. Lyman Orchards has been growing fruit overlooking the Connecticut River Valley for generations, and it has been named Connecticut Magazine’s Best Pick-Your-Own Farm.
The variety here is hard to beat. From mid-June through the end of October you can pick nearly 100 kinds of fruit, including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, nectarines, pears, and of course apples.
The views alone make the walk through the fields worth it, and apple season is a favorite for families who make it an annual tradition. Many folks come back each year for the peaches, apples, and pumpkins.
Plan ahead a bit on cost, since you typically pay for your bag in advance. Hours run daily from 9 AM to 4:30 PM on Powder Hill Rd, with free and paid parking.
If you want the widest selection in one place, this is your farm.
3. Holmberg Orchards, Gales Ferry, CT
Down in Gales Ferry, this farm packs a full fall day into one stop. Along with apple picking, it sells produce and baked goods and runs a corn maze that adds some extra fun to the visit.
Getting to the trees is easy thanks to a free shuttle that runs up and down the hill, and the picking areas are kept organized so you are not wandering around lost. The variety of apples is wide, and the quality is a big part of why people rate it so highly.
Beyond apples, families come through for blueberries, raspberries, and the pumpkin patch. Tractor rides round out the day for the kids.
Do not skip the cider and cider donuts, and the apple cider slushies are a quiet favorite. Weekend afternoons get busy, so early mornings midweek are your calmest bet.
Open daily 9 AM to 6 PM at 1990 CT-12, with free parking on-site.
4. Silverman’s Farm, Easton, CT
Kids who love animals get a bonus at this Easton farm, where a petting zoo and animal feedings share the property with the orchard. It is a family-run operation that has become a go-to for a full afternoon out.
The apple picking works on a simple system: you pay a fee to enter the orchard with a bag and fill it up yourself. Everything is well organized, and the prices stay reasonable.
When the timing lines up, you can also grab blueberries and raspberries. The farm store sells pies and other apple-based goods for anyone who would rather buy than bake.
Extras like a playground, food trucks, live music, and tractor rides keep the whole family busy. And yes, the cider donuts are a highlight, right alongside the apples you pick.
Weekend afternoons are the busiest, so weekday mornings are quieter. Open daily 9 AM to 5 PM at 451 Sport Hill Rd, with free lot and street parking plus restrooms.
5. Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard, Shelton, CT
Short people and little kids, rejoice: the trees here are a dwarf variety, so the apples at the top are actually within reach. That small detail makes this Shelton orchard a genuinely easy place to pick.
The layout is efficient in the best way. Parking is free and drops you right near the orchard, and the trees offer a nice range of varieties to work through.
Come mid-September and the branches are loaded. Many visitors are in and out with a full bag and their cider donuts in about half an hour, which is great if you have a busy day.
The staff make a real difference too, pointing you toward the trees with the most fruit ready to pick. It is a smooth, friendly experience from the moment you park.
Open daily 10 AM to 5:30 PM at 278 Leavenworth Rd, with free parking. If you want fuss-free picking that little ones can join in on, start here.
6. Rogers Orchards – Shuttle Meadow Farm Store, Southington, CT
Eight generations of fruit growing stand behind this Southington farm, and that experience shows in the orchard. Rogers Orchards has been at it a long time, and the apples are consistently beautiful and plentiful even early in the season.
The setting is a big draw. A rustic little farm store sits above sweeping views of the Connecticut countryside, and on a clear day you can even spot the Hartford skyline in the distance.
Pick-your-own runs during the earlier part of the season, so timing matters if you want to grab apples straight off the tree. Go early and you will find plenty to choose from.
Even when you are not picking, the store is worth a browse for apple cider, apple butter, and fresh pies. One tip: signage on apple types and open tree sections can be light, so ask a staff member where to head.
Open daily 9 AM to 6 PM at 336 Long Bottom Rd, with free and paid parking.
7. March Farm, Bethlehem, CT
Goats goofing off on a barn roof is not something you see at every orchard, but that is part of the charm at this fourth-generation Bethlehem farm. Between the animals, the pond dotted with water lilies, and a cute little playground, there is plenty to keep small kids happy.
The pick-your-own lineup covers apples, peaches, and pumpkins across the season, so you can time your visit to whatever is ripe. On a good fall day the trees are heavy with apples.
Beyond picking, the day fills out with a corn maze, live music, food trucks, and a food shack serving kettle corn and more. Picnic tables give you a spot to settle in and stay a while.
The Farm Store and Bakery is stocked with fresh-picked greens and veggies, baked goods, artisan drinks, soup mixes, and everyday basics like bread, milk, and eggs.
Open daily 10 AM to 6 PM at 160 Munger Ln, with free and paid parking. Budget extra time for the play area and the store.
8. Averill Farm, Washington Depot, CT
Friendly farm dogs that run alongside you while you pick give this Washington Depot spot a personality all its own. Averill Farm keeps things laid-back, with an easygoing crew and one of the widest apple selections around.
Apples are only half the story here. You can also pick your own pears, and the farm stand carries pumpkins, jams, jellies, honey, and apple butter for a well-stocked haul.
The bakery is a serious reason to show up. Apple cider donuts, turnovers, and holiday pies are the stars, and you can grab warm or cold apple cider to go with them.
This is the kind of place families return to every single fall, and it keeps going into the holidays. After Thanksgiving, they offer cut-your-own trees and wreaths on weekends.
Located at 250 Calhoun St with free lot and street parking, open daily starting at 9:30 AM. It is a scenic drive into the Litchfield Hills that pays off with fruit, dogs, and donuts.
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