Spend an autumn day at one of the 10 best apple orchards in the US - Chia Sẻ Kiến Thức Điện Máy Việt Nam

Young girls picking apples Photo courtesy of SDI Productions // Getty Images

The United States’ first apple orchard was planted in 1625 near Boston’s Beacon Hill. Today, there are over 5,000 growers producing apples across the country (according to the U.S. Apple Association). That’s 240 million bushels of apples each year! To help with the harvest, many orchards open their gates for visitors to come and pick their own, often with added autumn entertainment.

To find the top spots for apples across the nation, a panel of experts made 20 nominations and our readers voted for the 10 best apple orchards. Scroll to learn more about the winners.

Tougas Family Farm

Photo courtesy of iStock / KenWiedemann

No. 10: Tougas Family Farm – Northborough, Massachusetts

This second-generation fruit farm in Massachusetts invites visitors to come pick their own apples, berries, peaches, nectarines and pumpkins. The farm grows 30 varieties of apples, available from mid-August to the end of October. Families can join kid-friendly activities in the Barnyard or Playground, while the Farm Kitchen sells baked goods.

Jaswell's Farm Photo courtesy of Jaswell’s Farm

No. 9: Jaswell’s Farm – Smithfield, Rhode Island

About 30 miles outside Providence, located in the heart of “Apple Valley” in Smithfield, Rhode Island, the Jaswell family thanks guests for choosing their “family-friendly and farm-fresh” orchard for the pick-your-own-apples fall tradition. Each member of the party can select one extra apple to enjoy on their ride home! Reservations for apple picking in the orchard are recommended, and guests receive instructions and a bag for apple picking.

Photo courtesy of danny4stockphoto // Getty Images

No. 8: Johnson’s Corner Farm – Medford, New Jersey

Harvest Festival weekends are the highlight of the season at Johnson’s Corner Farm. Dance to live music, hang out at the Festival Food Tent and relish the fun with family and friends. Visitors enjoy a hayride to the orchards, where they can choose among 10 varieties of apples, each with a unique flavor.

“For those who grew up in South Jersey, Johnson’s Corner Farm is full of nostalgia. Thankfully, the farm grew up with us and added elements for visitors of all ages over the years. Whether you have kids or not, a trip to Johnson’s Farm is always fun,” shared 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards Production Manager Catherine Smith.

Photo courtesy of Sky Top Orchard

No. 7: Sky Top Orchard – Flat Rock, North Carolina

Less than an hour south of Asheville, North Carolina, Sky Top Orchard offers its guests the chance to celebrate fall on the mountain with a roadside stand feel and nostalgia of yesterday. The cool summer nights and warm days create perfect conditions for growing over 22 varieties of apples, with the U-Pick season lasting from August through the end of October. Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Red and Golden Delicious, Granny Smith and Pink Lady are just a few available varieties.

Photo courtesy of Libby & Son U-Picks

No. 6: Libby & Son U-Picks – Limerick, Maine

Apple picking season at Libby & Son U-Picks in Maine extends from mid-August through the end of October. Guests enjoy live music that can be heard throughout the orchard.

Photo courtesy of Spicer Orchards

No. 5: Spicer Orchards – Fenton, Michigan

At Spicer Orchards, wagons take visitors into the orchards to pick apples and berries. The fall season also means hot apple cider and cider donuts, wine tastings and a children’s playground. A Harvest Festival in mid-September features a craft fair and antique tractors.

Deal's Orchard Photo courtesy of Deal’s Orchard

No. 4: Deal’s Orchard – Jefferson, Iowa

This family-run apple orchard in Iowa comprises 45 acres of apple trees with more than 25 varieties on offer. The farm also has a seasonal corn maze and other family activities, as well as an orchard store selling cider, homemade apple pie, local honey and other artisan food goods.

Photo courtesy of Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards

No. 3: Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards – LaFayette, New York

This family-owned orchard has been growing apples since onion farmer George Skiff and dairy farmer Andrew Beak joined forces in 1911 to plant apples on a hillside along Route 20. The rest, as they say, is history. Gala, McIntosh, Ginger Gold and Paula Red are just a few of the varieties offered from late August through late October. Live music events, Cider Fests, Orchard Runs and a Kids’ Magic Show add entertainment to the apple picking.

Photo courtesy of Mercier Orchards

No. 2: Mercier Orchards – Blue Ridge, Georgia

Started in 1943 by Bill and Adele Mercier, Mercier Orchards has been a family farm ever since. Showcasing 52 varieties of apples, the U-Pick Apple Event is the most popular event of the season, which runs from early August to late October. A bakery/deli, farm market and winery offer more to do and taste, while other events like cooking and baking classes, tours and tractor pulls are staged at various times throughout the year.

Photo courtesy of Milburn Orchards

No. 1: Milburn Orchards – Elkton, Maryland

Millburn Orchards, a family-run farm, is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year and is proudly run by the fourth and fifth generations of owners. A wagon ride into the orchard starts an apple picking day where you can choose from different apples grown at Millburn Orchards. Group apple picking events are offered on the weekends in the fall and are perfect for a large outing with colleagues or friends.

About 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.

The Experts

Allison Taylor

The owner and content creator of Family Vacations… Read More

The owner and content creator of Family Vacations U.S is somewhat of a compulsive researcher when it comes to family vacations. Allison has 2 boys ages 10 and 12 whose antics keep her very busy, and being married to a firefighter adds a whole other element to the chaos! You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Allison Taylor

Kyle McCarthy

Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of… Read More

Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. Award-winning publications including MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations, and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter review experiences ranging from eco-adventures to city breaks, multi-generational cruises to summer family vacations. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravel4um.

Kyle McCarthy

Victoria Wade

Victoria is a writer for the esteemed theme park… Read More

Victoria Wade

Victoria is a writer for the esteemed theme park hipster and has been visiting theme parks for over 20 years. Sharing updates on all the thrills is her one true love. You can find her opinions of all things theme park related on her Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram.

10Best Editors

10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased… Read More

10Best Editors

10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.

Catherine Smith

Catherine Smith, Readers’ Choice Awards Production… Read More

Catherine Smith, Readers’ Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures.
Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.