Apple Picking in New England: Orchards, History, Recipes, & Cider
- This Cafe Life
- Sep 2
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 27
There’s something magical about autumn in New England. The air turns crisp, leaves begin to turn shades of red and gold, and orchards across the region welcome families and friends to the timeless ritual of apple picking. But New England’s love affair with apples runs much deeper than a seasonal outing - it’s a story rooted in history, culinary tradition, and even the art of cider making.
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A Brief History of Apples in New England
Apples aren’t native to North America; European settlers brought seeds and grafts to New England in the 1600s. Early colonists quickly realized the climate was perfect for apple cultivation, and orchards began to dot the landscape. By the 1700s, nearly every homestead grew apples - not only for eating but also for pressing into cider, which was often safer to drink than water.
Today, New England grows dozens of apple varieties - from heirlooms like Roxbury Russet (the first American apple variety, originating in Massachusetts) to crisp favorites like Honeycrisp, Gala, and Cortland. Each variety has its own best uses: some shine in pies, others are perfect for eating fresh, and many find their way into cider presses.
Apple Orchards by State
Plan a day trip to visit your local farms and pick your own.
Massachusetts
Honey Pot Hill Orchards (Stow) - Famous for hayrides, mazes, cider donuts, and a huge variety of apples.
Carlson Orchards (Harvard) - Family-run since 1936, known for cider and festivals.
Shelburne Farm (Stow) - Classic pick-your-own experience with wagon rides and views.
Brookfield Orchards (North Brookfield) - Large farm with apple barn, baked goods, and antiques.
Maine
Ricker Hill Orchards (Turner) - Generations-old, organic orchards with apples, pumpkins, and hard cider.
McDougal Orchards (Springvale) - Historic farm offering heirloom apple varieties.
Wallingford’s Orchard (Auburn) - Known for cider, donuts, and family-friendly activities.
Pietree Orchard (Sweden) - Orchard co-founded by author Elliott Coleman, views of the White Mountains.
New Hampshire
Applecrest Farm Orchards (Hampton Falls) - The oldest and largest continuously operated orchard in NH.
Carter Hill Orchard (Concord) - Famous for cider donuts, hayrides, and scenic vistas.
Mack’s Apples (Londonderry) - A New Hampshire landmark, family-run since 1732.
Riverview Farm (Plainfield) - Known for pick-your-own apples, pumpkins, and berries.
Vermont
Champlain Orchards (Shoreham) - Organic orchards with 100+ apple varieties.
Shelburne Orchards (Shelburne) - Lakeside orchard with cider tastings.
Scott Farm Orchard (Dummerston) - Famous for heirloom apple varieties and history dating to 1791.
Allenholm Farm (South Hero, Lake Champlain Islands) - Vermont’s oldest commercial orchard (est. 1870).
Connecticut
Lyman Orchards (Middlefield) - Established in 1741, known for pies, corn mazes, and apple festivals.
Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard (Shelton) - Pick-your-own and fresh pressed cider.
Blue Jay Orchards (Bethel) - Family-friendly orchard with a farm store and hayrides.
Belltown Hill Orchards (South Glastonbury) - Pick-your-own apples, peaches, and pumpkins.
Rhode Island
Jaswell’s Farm (Smithfield) - (Our family favorite) The state’s oldest operating orchard, established in 1899.
Barden Family Orchard (North Scituate) - Family-friendly orchard with apples, peaches, and cider.
Steere Orchard (Greenville) - Large selection of pick-your-own apples and pumpkins.
Sunset Orchard (North Scituate) - Smaller orchard with classic apple varieties and cider.
Juice vs. Cider: What’s the Difference?
Apple Juice:
Filtered, pasteurized, and shelf stable.
Clear, sweet, and consistent in flavor.
Sold in bottles and cartons at grocery stores.
Apple Cider (Sweet Cider):
Unfiltered, unfermented apple juice.
Cloudy appearance with pulp and sediment.
Seasonal, often sold fresh at orchards and farm stands.
Can be enjoyed cold or warmed with spices (mulled cider).
Hard Cider:
Fermented apple juice with alcohol (usually 4–8% ABV).
Can be dry, semi-sweet, or sweet depending on the apple blend and fermentation.
New England is experiencing a craft cider boom, much like craft beer.
Craft Cider: The New Craft Beer
In the past decade, cider has taken a place alongside craft beer in the U.S., especially in apple-rich regions.
Heritage Revival
Farmers and cider makers are rediscovering heirloom and “cider apples” (like Kingston Black, Dabinett, Roxbury Russet).
These apples, once overlooked for fresh eating, are prized for tannins and acidity in fermentation.
Flavor Innovation
Just like craft beer, cider makers experiment:
Hopped ciders (blending apple with IPA-style hops).
Barrel-aged ciders (bourbon, rum, or wine barrels).
Fruit blends (cranberry, blackberry, pear).
Spiced seasonal ciders (pumpkin spice, mulled cider).
Classic Apple Treats
Apple Cider Donuts - A New England staple. These cake-style donuts are infused with reduced apple cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg, often rolled in cinnamon-sugar.
Apple Fritters - Deep-fried bites of dough with apple chunks - crispy on the outside, fluffy inside.
Caramel Apples - Whole apples dipped in caramel, then rolled in nuts or candy.
Apple Butter - A slow-cooked spread of apples, cider, and spices, perfect for toast or biscuits.
Mulled Cider - Warm cider simmered with cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange peel, and star anise.
As the season turns and the last apples are gathered, what remains is more than a basket of fruit - it is a connection to place, to history, and to the enduring cycle of harvest. Apples remind us that some traditions are worth preserving. Whether pressed into cider, baked into pies, or simply enjoyed fresh from the tree, they carry with them the quiet richness of autumn - a season best savored slowly, one apple at a time.
Recipe - Apple Crostini (GF)
Try our recipes with your orchard haul
Recipe - Tarte Tatin (GF)
Bistro Classic
Recipe - Apple & Parsnip Soup (GF)
Savory & Elegant
Exploring New England
Planning a trip to New England? Whether you’re chasing the perfect lobster roll, wandering cobblestone streets, or soaking up ocean views, this collection of travel guides covers the region’s most inviting destinations. From the creative pulse of Providence to the windswept beauty of Nantucket and the rugged Maine shoreline, you’ll find the best places to stay, dine, and explore - in every season.
Rhode Island - Providence & Coastal Towns
Visiting Providence: What Not to Miss - Art, history, charm wrapped into one walkable city.
Top 10 Dining Destinations in Providence - Chef -centric culinary experiences.
Visit Providence: Where to Stay in the Creative Capital - Boutique hotels, historic inns.
Coastal Calm: Day Trips from Providence That Skip the Crowds - Coastal escapes a short drive.
Block Island - Weekend Getaway
Massachusetts - Cape & Islands Getaways
Nantucket Revisited: A Weekend to Remember - A return to the island with fresh discoveries.
Where to Stay in Nantucket: Embrace Coastal Living - Historic inns to breezy beachfront retreats.
Coastal Maine - Seaside Towns & Timeless Charm
Under the Elms & By the Sea: A Weekend in Castine, Maine - Maritime history meets coastal living.
Summer in York: A Maine Coastal Escape - Beaches, harbor walks, peaceful.
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