There’s no better fall family activity with kids than heading out to your local apple orchard and letting them pick some apples. You can definitely make a weekend out of it – apple picking one day and then creating some delicious recipes with what you’ve picked. Because seriously, how many apples can you actually eat on their own? Below, please find a list of orchards within an hour’s drive of Newtown. I’m also including tips for picking perfect apples and a few of my favorite recipe ideas.
Blue Jay Orchards
125 Plumtrees Road
Bethel, CT
Opens 9/1/2019 and will offer 15 different apple varieties throughout the picking season
Beardsley Cider Mill
278 Leavenworth Road
Shelton, CT
Opens 9/14 on weekends and will offer 16 different varieties throughout the season
SIlverman’s Farm
451 Sport Hill Road
Easton, CT
Farm is currently open. Apples will start to harvest mid August.
Averill Farm
250 Calhoun Street
Washington Depot, CT
Farm stand opens 8/15. Check website or call for PYO availability
Maple Bank Farm, Roxbury
57 Church Street
Roxbury, CT
March Farm
160 Munger Lane
Bethlehem, CT
PYO begins in mid-September with 12 different varieties of apples.
Belltown Hill Orchards
483 Matsen Hill Road
South Glastonbury, CT
Over 24 varieties of apples with PYO beginning mid August. Please call (860) 633-2789 ahead for accurate picking details.
Bishop’s Orchards
1355 Post Post Road
Guilford, CT
Over 20 varieties of apples beginning in late August.
Lyman Orchards
32 Reeds Gap Road
Middlefield, CT
PYO begins the last week of August. Call their 24-hour hotline for at (860) 349-6015 for updated picking information.
- Plan to go early. If you have young kids, it’s a great morning activity and generally less crowded.
- Check the orchard’s policy on bringing dogs. The majority of orchards seem to not allow dogs, but be sure to check before you head out if you are considering bringing yours.
- Check the apple for signs of ripeness. This generally happens when the branch can be easily removed with a twist and pull motion.
- Apples on the ground are typically past being ripe for picking.
- Pick apples off the bottoms of the trees first.
- Place apples gently in the bag so that they don’t bruise. Store in a cool, dry spot.
- And of course, check out your chosen orchard’s website for any other specific tips.
More information can be found here.
Apple Bread: This is one of the first recipes I shared last fall when the site launched. It’s not the easiest thing to make, but it literally is one of the best breads to make – perfect for both breakfast & a dessert. And the recipe yields 2, so you can even freeze one if you’d like.
Harvest Chicken Salad: One of my favorite healthy chicken salad recipes that’s good for adults & kids.
Slow Cooker Apple Sauce: I’ve used this recipe before. It’s quick, easy, and uses a decent amount of apples. And bonus – your kitchen will smell lovely while it cooks.
Another idea: Mix your applesauce with other fruits and veggies. Baby Foode has great suggestions, including a few that are perfect for fall.
Other popular ideas in our house are adding the apples to pancakes or muffins. And of course, sliced apples with peanut butter (or sunflower butter in my case).
