Fall guide · Outdoors
Looking for the best apple picking near Boston? These family-friendly orchards across Greater Boston, MetroWest, the North Shore, and the South Shore offer crisp pick-your-own apples alongside cider donuts, wagon rides, farm stores, animals, play areas, and other classic New England fall traditions.
Updated Oct 2026 · 4 min read
Ipswich
A scenic, longtime Ipswich orchard where families can pick seasonal fruit and apples, visit the barnyard animals, and wander through classic New England farmland. The farm store and bakery are popular stops for cider donuts, pies, produce, and other treats, while the winery gives adults an extra reason to linger.
~55 min drive from Boston
Peabody
A seasonal Peabody city farm with pick-your-own fruit, barnyard animals, a free play yard, picnic areas, flower cutting, and a farm store. Fall brings apple picking, pumpkins, a maze, hayrides, a Fairytale Trail, cider donuts, and select campfire-and-s’mores weekends, offering an especially varied day for younger families. Pets are not allowed.
~35 min drive from Boston
North Andover
A low-key North Andover farm where families can pick seasonal fruit and pumpkins, visit farm animals, and browse a year-round farm stand. Cider donuts, pies, local produce, and a relaxed countryside setting make it a good alternative to larger, more crowded fall festivals.
~40 min drive from Boston
North Andover
A lively North Andover farm with seasonal pick-your-own fruit, pumpkin programs, hayrides, festivals, and frequent family events. Its free playground and animal area are open year-round, while the farm stand and bakery make cider donuts and other treats part of the fall visit.
~45 min drive from Boston
Tyngsboro
A polished Tyngsboro pick-your-own farm with abundant seasonal crops, including berries, cherries, peaches, apples, flowers, and a large pumpkin field. Animal barns, a sandbox, wagon rides, and country-kitchen treats make it especially friendly for younger children and a strong all-around fall farm outing.
~55 min drive from Boston
Harvard
A 100-acre working orchard in Harvard with more than 20 apple varieties plus seasonal peaches, nectarines, berries, and cherries. Families can pick fruit among rolling orchard rows and visit the retail store for fresh cider and farm products.
~55 min drive from Boston
Stow
A classic Stow apple-picking destination with rolling orchards, a farm store and bakery, cider donuts, caramel apples, hayrides, and family mazes. Pick-your-own availability changes through the season, so check the farm’s current picking update before visiting.
~45 min drive from Boston
Stow
A family-friendly Stow orchard where pick-your-own apples and pumpkins pair with hayrides, farm animals, and tractor-themed playgrounds. The farm’s cider donuts and seasonal fruit add to a classic New England orchard day, with plenty for children to do beyond picking.
~45 min drive from Boston
South Natick
One of the country’s oldest continuously operating farms, Lookout combines a working orchard with a polished family outing. Seasonal pick-your-own fruit, train-style orchard rides, open farm scenery, dining, and an outdoor tractor playground make it a good choice for families who want more than a quick pumpkin stop.
~35 min drive from Boston
Bolton
A 50-acre Bolton orchard and winery offering seasonal pick-your-own apples, peaches, and plums. Nashoba is more of a scenic, quiet, and relaxed setting than a kid-focused farm attraction. Adults can enjoy wine, beer, or spirits in the orchard or on the lawn, making it pleasant for a quiet family picnic if your children are content sitting with you. The property does not offer the kid-centric activities or entertainment found at many other orchards.
~55 min drive from Boston
Sherborn
A quiet Massachusetts Century Farm in Sherborn with an old-fashioned roadside-stand feel. The farm grows apples, vegetables, flowers, pumpkins, and Christmas trees, making it a relaxed choice for families who prefer seasonal shopping and countryside scenery over a large festival-style attraction.
~35 min drive from Boston
Stow
A family-run Stow orchard with a relaxed, old-fashioned atmosphere and seasonal pick-your-own apples, peaches, cherries, vegetables, and pumpkins. Stop at the country store for fresh cider, local foods, and farm-grown produce.
~45 min drive from Boston
Northborough
A full-day pick-your-own destination where families can harvest seasonal fruit from spring through fall, finishing the year with apples and pumpkins. The farm also has a barnyard, playground, wagon rides, a farm kitchen, and fresh cider donuts, making it easy to turn pumpkin picking into a longer family outing.
~60 min drive from Boston
East Bridgewater
An East Bridgewater farm where seasonal pick-your-own fruit and pumpkins are joined by a corn maze and family fall activities. The farm stand carries homegrown produce and seasonal goods, making this a balanced choice for families who want both field time and farm shopping.
~45 min drive from Boston
Wrentham
A longtime Wrentham family farm known for pick-your-own apples, wagon rides into the orchard, fresh cider, cider donuts, caramel apples, baked goods, and a farm store filled with seasonal produce and treats.
~55 min drive from Boston
For a quick outing with younger children, choose a nearby orchard with easy picking and a farm store. For a full fall day, look for wagon rides, animals, play areas, food, and other seasonal activities. Some farms require advance reservations or prepaid picking bags on peak weekends.
Wear sturdy shoes, bring layers for changing New England weather, and ask whether strollers or wagons are permitted in the orchard. Earlier weekend visits are often calmer for young children and may offer the best selection of ripe fruit.