Fall Bucket List: Go Apple Picking

Toward the end of summer, I’m starting to look forward to fall. In Florida, we get two seasons: spring and summer. However, if we close our eyes and believe it, we have a few fall events. There’s just something about cooler temperatures and watching the leaves turn color. Of course it is also time for all of our favorite fall treats. Many of my favorite fruits and vegetables start to ripen and get ready in early fall. It isn’t just about all things pumpkin for me. It’s about apples.

Fun Fall Activity: Go Apple Picking

If you’re looking for a fun fall activity you can do with the whole family on a crisp and sunny day in September or October, try apple picking. It’s a fun way to get everyone out of the house and in the fresh air. As an added bonus, you get to come home with a big crate of apples that will last you through the coming months.

Start by finding a local apple orchard that lets you come out and pick your own apples. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find several apple farms just outside town, or you may have to take a little road trip. The Pick Your Own Website is a good resource for helping you find apple orchards in your area.

Once you find an orchard you’re interested in give them a call and find out what apple varieties they have and which ones are ready. This is also a great time to learn more about the best times to come pick and what other fun attractions and activities they may have available.

If you’re not familiar with the apple varieties they have available, do a little research and find out what those apples are like. You should be able to get a good idea about flavor, firmness, what the apples are best used for (eating apples vs. baking apples for example), and how long they can be stored. This is good information to have ahead of time. It also allows you to plan what varieties you want to pick and in what quantities.

Last but not least, it’s time to head out to the farm and have fun. Get an early start and get to picking apples. Don’t forget to taste them as you go along and have fun. It’s an experience and a great time to not only make family memories, but also teach your kids about where their food comes from. Enjoy your day at the apple orchard and everything they have to offer. If you’re lucky, there may be hay rides and lots of tasty apple treats to sample and buy. You may even get to help make apple cider or learn more about Johnny Appleseed.

Explore the various apple orchards your region has to offer and find a few favorites that you can visit fall after fall. Then come home with your crates of apples and enjoy them all throughout fall and winter.

The Best Places to Go Apple Picking This Fall

Nothing says fall quite like crisp air, flannel shirts, and baskets full of freshly picked apples. Whether you're after the perfect Honeycrisp, planning a homemade pie, or just looking for a fun day out, apple picking is a seasonal tradition worth savoring. Across the country, orchards burst to life each fall, offering everything from u-pick apples to hayrides and cider donuts. Here are some of the best apple-picking destinations to check out this year:

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1. Fishkill Farms – Hopewell Junction, New York

Nestled in the Hudson Valley, Fishkill Farms is a family-run orchard known for its eco-friendly growing practices. Visitors can pick from a wide variety of apples, sip fresh-pressed cider, and enjoy breathtaking fall views. Bonus: Their farm store stocks local jams, produce, and hard cider for the adults.

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2. Sky Top Orchard – Flat Rock, North Carolina

With sweeping mountain views, Sky Top Orchard offers a truly picturesque apple-picking experience. Besides more than 20 apple varieties, the orchard has farm animals, bamboo forests to explore, and their famous fresh apple cider donuts — worth the trip alone.

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3. Lyman Orchards – Middlefield, Connecticut

One of the oldest family-run farms in the country, Lyman Orchards has been growing apples since the 1700s. Today, visitors can choose from 100 acres of apple trees, try their luck at a corn maze, or sample fresh pies and pastries from their farm market.

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4. Apple Holler – Sturtevant, Wisconsin

Apple Holler is a favorite Midwest spot offering over 30 apple varieties throughout the season. The orchard goes all out with tractor rides, a corn maze, a kids' farm park, and a country store stocked with apple cider, caramel apples, and homemade bakery items.

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5. Julian Apple Orchards – Julian, California

Southern California might not scream “apple country,” but Julian — a charming mountain town east of San Diego — proves otherwise. Known for its fall apple harvest and famous apple pies, Julian offers several u-pick orchards where you can gather apples, sip cider, and stroll through history.

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6. Honey Pot Hill Orchards – Stow, Massachusetts

A New England gem, Honey Pot Hill Orchards offers apple picking from mid-August through October. Families love their hedge maze, hayrides, and farm animals. Don’t miss their famous caramel apples and apple cider slushies — the perfect way to end a fall day.

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7. Kiyokawa Family Orchards – Parkdale, Oregon

Situated in the beautiful Hood River Valley with Mount Hood as a backdrop, Kiyokawa Family Orchards boasts over 150 apple and pear varieties. It's one of the largest u-pick orchards in the Northwest and perfect for apple lovers who want to try something new.

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🍎 Tips for the Best Apple Picking Experience

• Check the orchard’s website before visiting for updated hours, apple varieties, and events.

• Bring your own bags or baskets (some orchards provide them).

• Wear comfy shoes — you’ll be walking a lot.

• Don’t miss the extras like cider tastings, farm stores, and baked goods!

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Wherever you go, apple picking is one of those simple pleasures that makes fall feel like magic. So grab your friends, family, or even your favorite four-legged companion and head to the nearest orchard — sweet memories (and sweeter apples) await.

Have you ever been apple picking before?