Barnard’s Orchard
When: Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with pick-your-own apple season starting mid-/late September.
Drive from Philly: 1 hour (1079 Wawaset Road, Kennett Square)
Reservations: Not required.
Cost: Pay for what you pick.
Barnard’s Orchard has been called an apple picker’s paradise, typically harvesting over 30 apple varieties. Pick-your-own season at the Kennett Square orchard doesn’t usually begin until mid- or late September, but they do sell in-season apples at their on-site market if you simply can’t wait. Otherwise, check their Facebook page for updates.
Highland Orchards
When: Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (drive yourself), and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (on-site shuttle available).
Drive from Philly: 1 hour (1000 Marshallton Thorndale Road, West Chester)
Reservations: Not required.
Cost: $2 field-access fee for anyone over the age of three, plus cost of apple container.
This gorgeous orchard in West Chester has it all: a pick-your-own area with an abundance of apple varieties, a farmer’s market with local produce, dairy, and pantry items, and the can’t-miss bakery featuring delicious apple cider donuts and freshly baked pies. On weekends in September and October, Highland Orchards runs 15-minute hay rides through the orchards — a fun activity for kiddos and adults alike.
Hill Creek Farms
When: Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. — until October 30th
Drive from Philly: 40 minutes (1631 State Highway 45, Mullica Hill, NJ)
Reservations: Required on Saturdays and Sundays.
Cost: Fridays are priced by bag: $12 (1/2 peck), $20 (1 peck), and $30 (1/2 bushel). Saturdays and Sundays require a pre-paid package ($35-$75 per vehicle) that includes a specific-sized picking bag, apple cider donuts, apple cider, and a hayride.
You-pick season at Hill Creek Farms officially began earlier this month. Now through October 30th, visit the Mullica Hill spot — which features three apple orchards — to reach for Fuji, Red and Golden Delicious, Galerinas, and more. Plus, there’s live music, an on-site bakery and farmer’s market, a wine garden, and a playground. No ticket needed on Fridays, but if you’re visiting on Saturday or Sunday, you’ll need to buy one in advance here.
Indian Orchards Farm
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Drive from Philly: 35 minutes (29 Copes Lane, Media)
Reservations: Not required.
Cost: $3.50 admission fee, plus picked apples by the pound.
Weave your way through 100-plus-year-old heritage apple trees — a variety of tree that has been producing the same apples for a very long time — at this family-run farm. Plus, the farm uses organic growing techniques, so you can rest assured that these delicious apples aren’t coated in chemicals. Don’t feel like picking your own? Check out their farm stand for already-picked fruits and veggies.
Johnson’s Corner Farm
When: Wagon rides to the fields and orchards run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
Drive from Philly: 40 minutes (133 Church Road, Medford, NJ)
Reservations: Highly recommended. Walk-ins are only made available if pre-made reservations aren’t sold out.
Cost: Online reservations are $5 per person on weekdays and $7 per person on weekends. Walk-in pricing is $6 on weekdays and $9 on weekends. Apples are priced by weight.
Hop on for a fall-themed hayride that will take you to Johnson’s apple-picking field, where you can peruse 10 varieties of apples at this fun New Jersey farm. You can also enjoy the corn maze, barnyard, pumpkin area, and sunflower stroll, plus light fare and sweet treats from the bakery and farmhouse.
Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm
When: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Drive from Philly: 50 minutes (2691 Monmouth Road, Jobstown, NJ)
Reservations: Required. You can purchase your ticket here.
Cost: $12.95 entrance fee, plus cost of picked apples: 1/4 peck ($6), 1/2 peck ($9.50), and 1 peck ($15.50). Children under two enter for free.
Not to be confused with Johnson’s Corner Farm, Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm in Jobstown hosts a fall Park N’ Pick, where you can pick your own crops at your leisure. They’ve got different kinds of apples — Fuji, Red Delicious, Cameo, Granny Smith, and others available by readiness — plus sunflowers, pumpkins, and gourds. (Your ticket gives you access to all, including a five-acre corn maze.) You can also opt for a scenic hayride tour ($5), listen to live music, or visit the Tomasello Winery Tasting Room for some vino.
Linvilla Orchards
When: Produce-picking is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Drive from Philly: 40 minutes (137 West Knowlton Road, Media)
Reservations: Highly recommended, but not required.
Cost: An entrance ticket costs $9 (online) or $10 (walk-up), which includes a 1/4 peck to contain what you pick. Picks larger than 1/4 peck will see an additional fee.
Between its orchard rows and farm market, which sells all sorts of apple-centric goodies from apple cider to apple pie, Linvilla is a one-stop apple shop. You can also think of Linvilla as the Disney World of local farms — often with crowds to match. But for good reason: There’s a lot for kids at this Delco farm’s annual Pumpkinland festivities already under way, like a barnyard full of animals, a playground, apple cannons and mazes (corn and hay). As it gets further into the fall, take a not-so-spooky Hayride to the Witch’s House for storytime. Tickets are required and can be purchased online or when you arrive.
Shady Brook Farm
When: Pick-your-own field is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Friday through Sunday, the PYO field is only accessible with a FallFest ticket.
Drive from Philly: 40 minutes (931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley)
Reservations: Recommended, but not required.
Cost: $5 online or $7 at the gate for Wednesday and Thursday PYO. FallFest tickets range $15-$25. (Free for children 23 months and younger.) Picked apples are an additional cost and are priced by container size: $6 (1/4 peck), $15 (1 peck), or $30 (1/2 bushel).
At this 100-plus-year-old Bucks County farm, you can pick your own apples (plus pumpkins, sunflowers, and seasonal fruits and veggies) on Wednesdays or Thursdays. If you’re looking to go during the weekend, you’ll need to buy a FallFest ticket, which includes a wagon ride to the apple field, a five-acre corn maze, a pumpkin patch, a haunted barn, a sports zone, live entertainment, a petting zoo and more.
Solebury Orchards
When: Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Drive from Philly: 1 hour (3325 Creamery Road, New Hope)
Reservations: Required on the weekends. Reserve here.
Cost: $2.50 per person, plus $1.50 per pound of apples. Children aged four and under enter for free.
This picturesque farm diligently updates its website with whatever’s ready for harvest, so be sure to check it before heading out. You can see a list of all the apple varieties they grow here, though the seasons listed are approximates. Plus, wagon rides are available to take you through the orchards for picking on the weekends.
Solly Brother’s Farm
When: Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Drive from Philly: 50 minutes (707 Almshouse Road, Warminster)
Reservations: Not required.
Cost: TBD
This family-run farm in Bucks county will be hosting pick-your-own apples starting late September through the end of October. There’s no entrance fee to visit the farm, and you can choose to walk to the orchard for free or opt for the hayride for $2-$3 per person. Apple pricing is still being determined, but will either be priced by the basket or by the pound, a farm rep told us over the phone. Check their Facebook for updates.
Styer Orchard
When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Drive from Philly: 40 minutes (97 Styers Lane, Langhorne)
Reservations: Not required.
Cost: $1.69 per pound
Visit Styer Orchard in Langhorne for in-season apples and other fruits. (Their pumpkin patch opens the last weekend of September, FYI!) They regularly update their website and Facebook page, so you know what varieties you can expect before the hayride takes you out into the orchard. Styer also has an on-site deli, bakery, and market, so you can enjoy a breakfast sandwich, hoagie, donut, or baked good at your heart’s content. P.S., leashed dogs are welcome!
Tabora Farms / Rustic Valley Orchard
When: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting September 17th at both locations.
Drive from Philly: 1 hour (1104 Upper Stump Road and 1220 Upper Stump Road, Chalfont)
Reservations: Not required.
Cost: Free admission. Apples are pay-by-the-bag: 1/2 peck ($10), 1 peck ($18), and 1/2 bushel ($30).
Located less than .5 miles apart in Chalfont, Tabora Farms and Rustic Valley Orchard work in partnership for pick-your-own apples season at both of their locations. Take a free wagon ride through the orchard to snag different varieties as they are ready to harvest. Plus, Tabora typically hosts an annual apple festival in October, where you can purchase apples for a discounted price.
Terhune Orchards
When: Daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Drive from Philly: 1 hour (330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ and 13 Van Kirk Road, Lawrence Township, NJ)
Reservations: Not required.
Cost: Priced by bag — small ($9), medium/five-pound ($13), or large/11-pound ($26).
This orchard boasts a farm store, a vineyard and tasting room, and plenty of pick-your-own produce experiences. With more than 10 varieties to choose from, your day of apple picking will surely be fruitful here. They run “fall family fun” on the weekends until Halloween, which features live music, pony rides, an adventure barn (themed “all about pumpkins” this year!), and more. Find out more and purchase tickets for here.
Weaver’s Orchard
When: Monday and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Drive from Philly: 1 hour (40 Fruit Lane, Morgantown)
Reservations: Not required.
Cost: Prices vary depending on day and container size.
Weaver’s Orchard offers almost 30 different apple varieties alone and many different picking options throughout the year. Before you hit the fields, take advantage of the farm’s apple descriptions, which you can find here, to have a good idea of what the fruits of your labor will taste like.
Additional research by Mary Clare Fischer and Isabella DiAmore.
