One of Boston’s paradoxical charms is that when you’ve had your fill of urban pleasures, it’s a remarkably easy city to exit, with plenty of rural attractions in easy reach. That includes pick-your-own apple orchards. When it comes to apple picking, Boston residents may think they’re out of luck, but the opposite is true: According to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, there are 30 options within 30 miles of Boston, and if you’re willing to travel a bit farther, there are some truly special orchards that are well worth the extra drive time.
Here are six of our favorites, from family-friendly pick-your-own spots with hayrides and corn mazes and cider doughnuts to orchards that specialize in rare heirloom varieties for apple connoisseurs.
Best Apple Picking | Boston-Area Orchards
BEST APPLE PICKING | BOSTON-AREA ORCHARDS
BELKIN FAMILY LOOKOUT FARM, SOUTH NATICK
DISTANCE FROM BOSTON: 22 miles
To appreciate this farm, you have to think of it as part farm, part amusement park. There’s a fee to get in, and pick-your-own apples are pricey. However, this oasis in suburban Boston is beloved for its easy access and diverse entertainments, from the mini train that brings you up to the orchards, to weekend entertainment for kids (clowns, magicians, pony rides, a petting zoo), a corn maze, bounce houses, and a taproom producing an impressive selection of hard ciders. The Belkin farm has been in continuous operation since 1651, making it one of the oldest in the United States. 89 Pleasant St., South Natick. 508-653-0653; lookoutfarm.com
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HONEY POT HILL ORCHARDS, STOW
DISTANCE FROM BOSTON: 28 miles
The Martin family has owned and operated Honey Pot Hill for nearly a century, and if you’re looking for a classic experience of apple picking, this is your spot. Sure, there are farm animals to greet and hedge mazes to wander, but the emphasis here is on the fruit and classic take-home products such as apple pie, cider, and doughnuts. Originally a dairy farm, this 180-acre spread is now covered in fruit trees; a hayride through the fields is an Edenic delight. 138 Sudbury Road, Stow. 978-562-5666; honeypothill.com
NASHOBA VALLEY WINERY, BOLTON
DISTANCE FROM BOSTON: 40 miles
This lovely farm in a classic New England village just off I-495 specializes in the full winery experience, complete with tastings, acres of vineyards, and an on-site restaurant. But it’s also home to one of our favorite apple orchards in New England. There’s a pick-your-own operation with plenty of Cortland, McIntosh, and Roxbury Russet trees, as well as a spectacular heirloom apple orchard stocked with rare finds like Pink Pearl, Ashmead’s Kernel, and Esopus Spitzenburg — nearly 100 in all. You do need to make an appointment to pick from the antique orchard, but all it takes is a phone call. 100 Wattaquadock Hill Rd., Bolton. 978-779-5521; nashobawinery.comRed Apple Farm in Phillipston, Massachusetts Photo Credit : Courtesy of Red Apple Farm
RED APPLE FARM, PHILLIPSTON
DISTANCE FROM BOSTON: 66 miles
You may know this fourth-generation family farm from its popular booth at the Boston Public Market, but it’s worth the (admittedly longer) drive out to Phillipston to enjoy the full gamut of apple orchard attractions (a farm stand, weekend barbecues, hay rides, cider doughnuts and fudge, farm animals to pet), as well as orchards stocked with more than 50 apple varieties. Right by the entrance, don’t miss the apple tree that has been grafted with nearly all of the farm’s varieties — a spectacular sight in the spring and fall. 455 Highland Ave., Phillipston. 978-249-6763; redapplefarm.com
RUSSELL ORCHARDS, IPSWICH
DISTANCE FROM BOSTON: 32 miles
Located halfway between downtown Ipswich and Crane Beach, Russell Orchards has been owned and operated by the Russell family for more than 30 years (the land has been farmed for nearly 100). Here you’ll find 30 varieties of apple to pick, as well as farm animals, fresh cider, hay rides, local veggies for sale, and an on-site bakery. 143 Argilla Road, Ipswich. 978-356-5366; russellorchards.comSEE MORE: Favorite Things to Do in Ipswich, MA, in Summer
SMOLAK FARMS, NORTH ANDOVER
DISTANCE FROM BOSTON: 27 miles
The Smolak family, whose produce stands are a popular fixture at Boston-area farmers’ markets, knows that diversification is essential for modern farms, especially those located near large urban areas. So in addition to the fruits, vegetables, and baked goods on sale, this enterprising family offers wagon rides, face painting, batting cages, a bakery, and an ice cream stand. They even host weddings and a summer day camp. But this is a real farm, with several dozen apple varieties on offer, including antiques like Cox’s Orange Pippin, Rhode Island Greening, and Winter Banana. 315 S. Bradford St., North Andover. smolakfarms.com
What’s your favorite spot for apple picking (Boston area or beyond)?
Amy Traverso is the senior food editor at Yankee magazine and co-host of the public television series Weekends with Yankee, a coproduction with WGBH. Previously, she was food editor at Boston magazine and an associate food editor at Sunset magazine. Her work has also been published in The Boston Globe, Saveur, and Travel & Leisure, and she has appeared on Hallmark Home & Family, The Martha Stewart Show, Throwdown with Bobby Flay, and Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares. Amy is the author of The Apple Lover’s Cookbook, which was a finalist for the Julia Child Award for best first-time author and won an IACP Cookbook Award in the “American” category.
