Around this time of year, the smell of cinnamon, cloves, pumpkin, and apples fill the air. While the nights are coming sooner, we still have to take advantage of those precious lighted hours, most doing so by picking apples. It’s hard to find the perfect apple picking destination meeting everyone’s needs: fresh baked goods, apple cider, food, activities, petting zoos, hayrides, and of course freshly picked apples. 

Here is a list of all offerings at three frequented Apple Picking locations in Massachusetts.  

Fairmount Fruit Farm, Franklin Massachusetts

Apple types: Honeycrisp, Mackintosh, Cortland, Fuji, Gala, Macoun, Empire, Cameo

Baked Goods: Frozen home-baked pies, homemade cookies, seasonal fruit bread & apple crisp provided by Sweet Treats

Animals: Goats

Activities (if any): Apple picking

Other available food items: Fresh free-range eggs, grass-fed lamb, milk, cheeses, butter, whipped cream, orange juice provided by Oakhurst, sweet and hot sausages, marinated steak tips, turkey tips and chicken by Dom’s Meats, apples, strawberries, and other fresh produce, 

Price: Peck Bag – $23

Isabel Guilmette, a Franklin resident, says she likes to pick the local apples at Fairmount Fruit Farm. 

“It’s cute, its smaller than other orchards, but I like that it’s a local business,” said Isabel.

The Big Apple, Wrentham Massachusetts

Apple types: Baldwin, Ida Red, Red Cortland, Cortland, Jersey Mac, Red Delicious, Crabapples, Jonagold, R.I. Greening, Empire, Jonathan, Russett, Fuji, Macoun, Spartan, Gala, McIntosh, Spencer, Golden Delicious, Northern spy, Winter Banana, Gravenstein, Paula Red, Wolf River, Honey Crisp, Ginger Gold

Baked Goods: Freshly baked pies, pie slices, apple crisp, apple cider doughnuts, caramel apples, candied apples, and cookies. 

Animals: N/A

Activities (if any): Hayrides (weekends only)

Other available food items: Ice cream (seasonal), fudge, 28 types of vegetables, homemade pickles, jams, sauces, and syrups.

Price: Peck Bag – $25

Freshman, Bella DeCrescenzo said she had a great time at The Big Apple.

“I had a very good experience, the best part was the apple cider doughnuts by far,” she said.

Honey Pot Hill Orchards, Stow Massachusetts

Apple types: McIntosh, Empire, Mutsu, Cortland, Golden Delicious, Macoun, Red Delicious, Spartan, Honey Crisp

Baked Goods: Fresh apple cider doughnuts and cider

Animals: Goats, pigs, sheep, chickens, and bunnies.

Activities (if any): Mazes (3), hayrides

Other available food items: Hamburgers, hotdogs, assorted jams and butter, local honey, apple, and pumpkin pie, and caramel apples

Price: Peck Bag – $20

After her weekend adventure, Gabi Waslewski said: “It was really fun! They had a lot of options for apples, and ladders to climb the trees. Really good apple cider doughnuts and apple cider.” She later added:

“It’s typically very busy, but overall it was a really good time!” 

After analyzing and hearing what recent customers said, Honey Pot Hill Orchards sounds like the best apple picking destination. With their range of activities with the cheapest price, Honey Pot should be at the top of your apple picking list!