September comes with all the fabulous fall spectacles like apples, apple cider, and the most delicious doughnuts in the world. Last year, apple picking was the perfect fall activity with my newborn. He was only a few weeks old and I was able to babywear him while getting out of the house for a few minutes! Win-win! If you’re living in Rhode Island or just over the border in Massachusetts, we have a roundup of all the best places to get your apple fix this season!
Check out one of the following or try them all and report back here with your favorites!
Dame Farm and Orchards
913 Brown Avenue
Johnston, Rhode Island
401 949-3657
Family-run and operated for several generations, Dame Farm and Orchards sits on seven acres of land. With nine varieties of apples available for picking, including MacIntosh, Cortland, and Macoun, Dame Farm and Orchards also has a corn maze, long wagon rides, and a farm stand that sells vegetables grown on the farm.
Jaswell’s Farm
50 Swan Road
Smithfield, Rhode Island
401-231-9043
The oldest apple orchard in Smithfield, Jaswell’s Farm is family owned and operated. With a bakery and farm stand on-site, families have the opportunity to purchase delicious fall favorites such as pie, cider donuts, and apple cider. Don’t miss out on the farm’s speciality: candy apples! Jaswell’s Farm’s candy apples have been featured on the Food Network and can be shipped nationally. Make sure you call ahead to confirm the “you-pick” conditions of the orchard.
Steere Orchard
150 Austin Avenue
Greenville, RI
401-949-1456
Family-owned and operated for four generations, Steere Orchard has about 12 varieties of apples available for picking each fall. Their farm stand sells goodies such as local honey and apple butter, and hayrides are free on the weekends.
Knight Farm
1 Snake Hill Road
North Scituate, RI
401-349-4408
Founded in 1800 and situated on 40 acres, Knight Farm is known not only for its apple orchard, but its restaurant that serves hearty breakfasts and lunches. Make it a full family outing by enjoying a meal, apple picking, and a special treat at their Ice Cream Shoppe or cider donut bakery.
The Barden Family Orchard/Harmony Farm
56 Elmdale Road
North Scituate, RI
401-934-1413
Open for apple picking on Saturdays and Sundays, the farmstand always has fresh produce available for purchase. Make sure to call ahead for “you-pick” hours, and check out this awesome chart about their apples and harvesting time!
Pippin Orchard
751 Pippin Orchard Road
Cranston, RI
401-943-7096
With farm fresh eggs, seasonal pies, apple cider, and a variety of maple products, Pippin Orchard was the first farm in Rhode Island to make cider donuts! FYI: they grow eight varieties of apples that are mixed together in the field, and the trees are not labeled. There is no entrance fee or price per pound; instead, pick your own is $24 a bag, which can hold up to 12 pounds of apples!
Rocky Brook Orchard
997 Wapping Road
Middletown, RI
401 851-7989
With an impressive variety of apples (they have over 80!), Rocky Brook Orchard is open on Saturdays and Sundays for apple picking. Since their trees are not in specific rows, the farm has color-coded them, which allows children (and parents!) to easily identify which apples are ripe for picking. Check them out on Facebook for updates on apple picking availability, and pack a picnic for the orchard and make a day of it!
Hill Orchards
86 Winsor Avenue
Johnston, RI
401-949-2940
Open on the weekends throughout September and October for apple picking, Hill Orchards also has horse-drawn hayrides available on special days throughout the season. If you’re looking for a fun activity to do with your family on Columbus Day, Hill Orchards is open for apple picking!
Young Family Farm
260 W Main Rd
Little Compton, RI
401-635-0110
Open Thursday – Sunday (10 am to 4 pm), and Mondays by appointment, Young Family Farm has a farm stand and bakery, as well as pick-your-own apples and other fruits. Stop by the 2nd weekend of October for their Annual Apple Festival.
Over the Border in Massachusetts
The Big Apple
207 Arnold Street
Wrentham, MA
508-384-3055
The Big Apple has a lot to keep families entertained: children can watch the apple grader sort the apples from a viewing platform or take a peek at their bakery making donuts, the farm stand sells baked goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, kitchen gadgets, and even Big Apple apparel, and hayrides are available on the weekends. The dates for apple picking are very specific, so please check out their website for more details. And also note: The Big Apple does not accept credit cards, so have cash or your checkbook on hand!
Wojcik’s Farm
65 Milk Street
Blackstone, MA
508 883-9220
With a farm store, car shows, pumpkin patches, complimentary tractor-driven hay rides, snack shack, and a “Monster Truck” corn maze (it’s free for kids under 5!) it’s easy to spend a whole day with the family at Wojcik’s Farm. Make sure you turn in your ticket after completing the corn maze for a chance to win a raffle prize!
Keith’s Farm
1149 Main Street
Acushnet, MA
With hayrides, fresh farm baked treats, a snack bar, and a farm stand, there’s no admittance fee to Keith’s Farm. After apple picking, enjoy a cider donut with a cider slush!
