One of the very best times of the year is when the weather starts to cool down, mornings are chilly and crisp, pencils and notebooks line the shelves at stores for back-to-school season, and apples are at their very best. With apple picking being one of the activities that most everyone looks forward to in the late summer and early fall, this post is all about the best places for apple picking in New Hampshire.
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When Is Apple Picking Season In New Hampshire?
Apple picking season in New Hampshire begins in mid to late August, and goes through mid to late October. Different varieties peak at different times, which keeps gives us a longer picking season to enjoy. You could easily go at the end of August, and again in late September and pick completely different apples.
When Is The Best Time To Go Apple Picking In New Hampshire?
September is a great month for apple picking in New Hampshire. The most popular apple varieties like Empire, Honeycrisp and McIntosh are at their peak in September, and since weather usually starts to cool down a bit by this time, it also makes for a more enjoyable day.
If you wanted to go a bit earlier in the season, around the end of August, apples like Gala are at their best, and these are one of the best for cooking, baking and making applesauce.
Later in the season, toward the end of September and into October, the weather will be more like fall, and you’ll find varieties like Braeburn, Macoun and Granny Smith at their peak.
Just remember, each growing season can change year-to-year, and the peak time for each variety may be slightly different based on weather patterns and temperatures that particular season. A lot of apple orchards do a great job posting what varieties are ready for picking on their social media pages, so if you’re looking for a specific variety, be sure to check with the orchard to make sure it’s ready before making a special trip!
Best Places For Apple Picking In New Hampshire
Below is a list of the best places and orchards for apple picking in New Hampshire, and I’ve broken them down into regions and towns to help you plan!
Apple Picking In Southern New Hampshire
1. Gould Hill Farm
Gould Hill Farm is a wonderful orchard to go apple picking in New Hampshire. They offer over 80 varieties of apples to pick from, and keep their website updated with what varieties are ready for picking to help you plan your visit. They also offer U-pick peaches, plums and nectarines toward the end of the summer, which may overlap with early apple picking season.
During your visit, you’ll want to stop by their farm store and bakery, where you can pick up fun gifts, apple cider and locally-made products like maple syrup, jams and honey, as well as homemade jewelry and home decor. Their bakery is stocked with cider donuts on weekends, which are always freshly made, and they have pies and other baked goods available as well.
You’ll definitely want to stop by their ice cream stand, too, which is open through October, and serves premium ice cream from Granite State Candy.
2. McLeod Orchards
McLeod Orchards is a family-run farm that’s been in business for 75 years, and is a great place to go apple picking in New Hampshire. Their picking season starts in mid-August, and they offer varieties to pick through mid to late October.
During your visit, you’ll also be able to stock up on pumpkins, mums and locally-made products like honey, jams and maple syrup.
Apple Picking Near Portsmouth
3. AppleCrest Farm Orchards
AppleCrest is one of the best orchards for apple picking in New Hampshire, especially for those looking to stay in the southern region. This is the oldest continually-operated farm in the entire U.S., and is 4th generation owned. They also grow over 40 varieties of apples, so you’re sure to find a few that you like during your visit.
Not only can you go apple picking while here, they also have a farm stand where you can pick up fresh cider, local honey, jams, cheeses and maple syrup. And don’t forget to stop by their creamery for some ice cream, which is open on weekends during the fall season. They serve premium homemade ice cream from Richardson Farms, so you definitely don’t want to skip it!
4. Apple Annie’s
Apple Annie’s is located in Brentwood, about 30 minutes from Portsmouth, and here, you’ll find a smaller orchard with very friendly service. This farm typically opens early September, and offers different varieties of apple to pick from, and they also have a small farm stand with freshly-pressed cider and cider donuts. They’re often open until the first week of November, too!
They do a great job updating visitors on their current season on their Facebook page, so be sure to check that out for opening dates. They also suggest pre-ordering cider and donuts to ensure they’re fully stocked when you arrive.
5. Butternut Farm
Located in Farmington, this is a great little family-owned orchard for apple picking in New Hampshire. They offer U-picks throughout the season, and if you come during the end of August, you’ll might also overlap with peach and blueberry season, which is also offered as U-pick.
In their cider house, you can taste their own hard cider, freshly-pressed apple cider, and pick up some cider donuts and pies.
Apple Picking In Concord, NH
6. Apple Hill Farm
Apple Hill Farm is one of the best orchards for apple picking in Concord, NH. Not only is their farm set on a beautiful piece of land in the countryside with serene views, they have lots of apple varieties to pick from, and update their website with what’s currently in season. They also have a great farm stand where you can buy more fresh produce and baked goods made right on the farm.
Apple Hill Farm also offers blueberry picking through August, so you may also be able to combine blueberry and apple picking if you time it right. You can also pick up your pumpkins for Halloween here.
Speaking of Halloween, you might be interested in my post on all the best
haunted hotels & places you can visit in New Hampshire!
Click here to check it out.
7. Carter Hill Orchard
Carter Hill Orchard is a wonderful farm to go apple picking in New Hampshire, and are located right in Concord. This lovely apple orchard is family-run on farmland that’s been active since the 1700s.
They offer tons of varieties for their U-pick season, and they update their website with the peak season for each one so you can plan your visit accordingly. They also press their own cider on-site, and have a bakery where you can pick up cider donuts, whoopie pies, cookies and lots of other baked goods.
Apple Picking In Londonberry, NH
8. Sunnycrest Farm
Located right in Londonberry, Sunnycrest Farm is one of the best places for apple picking in New Hampshire. Not only do they have lots of apples to pick from, they also offer plums, peaches and raspberries at the end of summer, and even offer U-pick flowers through September.
At Sunnycrest, you’ll also also be able to pet goats and sheep, and shop at their farm market, which is stocked with gifts, decor, locally-made products, their own freshly-pressed cider and so much more. And of course, you can’t forget to stop at their bakery to get your cider donuts, pumpkin breads, muffins and tons more.
9. Mack’s Apples & Moose Hill Orchards
One of the most popular orchards for apple picking in New Hampshire is Mack’s Apples, also known as Moose Hill Orchards. Here, you’ll be able to stroll through 100 acres of apple trees for pick-your-own apples, and also walk through their 30-acre pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin for your porch.
At Mack’s, you’ll want to be sure to stop by their ice cream stand, which is open through the end of October, and serves Richardson’s Ice Cream. And of course, be sure to fill your basket with all kinds of goodies from their farm stand like gourds for eating and decorating, fresh flowers (in-season), freshly-baked cider donuts, apple cider, maple syrup, pies, jams and lots more.
10. Elwood Orchards
Also located right in Londonberry is Elwood Orchards, one of the best smaller family farms for apple picking in New Hampshire. Elwood has been around since 1910, and offers U-pick apples and pumpkins. They also have a nice little farm shop with all kinds of homegrown produce and goodies to take home. Be sure to test your navigation skills through their corn maze during your visit, too!
Apple Picking In Hollis, NH
11. Lull Farm
Lull Farm is a great place for apple picking in New Hampshire because they have three locations. One is in Hollis, and the other two are in Nashua and Milford. During apple picking season, they offer several varieties to pick from, and have a wonderful farm stand to shop from. You’ll definitely want to stock up on your pumpkins while here, too!
At their farm stand and bakery, you’ll find freshly-made cider donuts, different kinds of breads, croissants, cookies and pies.
12. Brookdale Fruit Farm
Brookdale Fruit Farm has been a family-run farm for the last 175 years, and is one of the best places for apple picking in New Hampshire. Their pick-your-own apple season usually starts the first week of September, and goes through October, and they offer over 20 varieties to pick from (including the well-loved Honeycrisp!).
You’ll also want to pop into their awesome farm stand during your visit, which was voted as the best organic farm stand in New Hampshire! You’ll find farm stand staples here like maple syrup, honey, produce from the farm, jams, jellies, gourmet pastas and even New Hampshire-made cooking accessories and gifts.
On weekends in the fall season, their adorable ice cream stand is open, and serves up Annabelle’s Ice Cream, one of the best brands in the state.
13. Lavoies Farm
A great place for apple picking in New Hampshire is Lavoies Farm, a smaller family-owned orchard that offers lots of festive activities during the fall season. It’s also only 10 minutes from Nashua, making this really a really convenient destination.
In addition to pick-your-own apples, they also have pick-your-own pumpkins, and during the fall harvest season, they offer a corn maze, hay rides and apple cider.
Apple Picking In The White Mountains Of New Hampshire
Apple Picking In Lincoln, NH
14. Windy Ridge Orchard
Not only is Windy Ridge Orchard a great place for apple picking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, it’s also a great destination to spend your entire fall afternoon. In addition to pick-your-own apples, they also have nature trails, farm animals and a really nice cafe serving up lunch and dessert.
Windy Ridge offers 18 varieties of apple to pick from during the season, and once you’re done filling your bags with fresh apples, be sure to take a walk on their nature trails which offer views of Black Mountain. Then, end your afternoon at their Cider House Cafe, where they have delicious sandwiches, cider donuts, apple crisp and cider slushies on their menu.
Note: This facility is cash and checks only, so plan accordingly.
Apple Picking In North Conway, NH
15. Hatches Orchards
One of the smaller, more charming places to go apple picking in New Hampshire is Hatches Orchards, which is only about 20 minutes from North Conway. They offer several varieties to pick from, provide wonderful mountain views during your visit, and also sell local produce, jellies and jams at their small farm stand. This is a great place to go to support a smaller operation!
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That’s A Wrap On The Best Places For Apple Picking In New Hampshire
And there you have it! You’re now ready to plan your perfect fall day of apple picking in New Hampshire. Whether you love to go early in the season to also get some fresh peaches and blueberries, or you love waiting until later in September when the weather cools down – or maybe you go a few times during each picking season! – it’s sure to be a fun day in the countryside of such a beautiful state.
