One of the best places for apple picking in Massachusetts is an hour from Boston and perfect for a family fun day or a solo afternoon adventure.
When is Apple Picking Season in Massachusetts?
Freshly picked Cortland and Fuji apples.
When is the best time for apple picking? Depending on the variety of apple and the weather, apple picking season in Massachusetts starts in late July and ends in December.
But most people think about apple picking when the tree leaves start to turn fall colors. In mid-September, the Cortland apple picking season starts. Early October is when Fuji apples are ready for picking. Cortland and Fuji apples are perfect for baking this Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples.
Best Places for Apple Picking in Massachusetts From the North Shore to the South Coast, see the best places for apple picking in Massachusetts (4-star rating or higher) on this Google Map.
No matter which orchard you choose, keep in mind that it takes a year for an apple to grow.
You’ll find one of the best places for apple picking in Massachusetts is located an hour from Boston and just 35 minutes from Worcester. Founded in 1926, Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stow, Massachusetts has expanded to 186 acres with apples, peaches, pears, and blueberries. The apples alone account for 70 acres on this farm. Some apple trees have been growing at Honey Pot Hill for more than 50 years. The orchards have over 30 apple varieties, including Honeycrisp (sweet with a nice crunch), Macoun (sweet and tangy), and Smitten (more tart like cider). Plan a visit when your favorite apples are in season. See the fruit schedule at Honey Pot Hill Orchards. The farm is still owned by the Martin family. The apples are protected against frost in the spring and the apple trees are pruned in the winter. The farm is open to the public for six months out of the year. If you’re planning a family fun day, think about visiting the farm animals or the mazes first, so you don’t have to carry around bags of apples. Or you can keep it simple and just enjoy apple picking in this beautiful spot. 
Looking for apples.
The Golden Hour is Golden Delicious 
The orchard during the golden hour.
In photography, the “golden hour” is the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. With the sun’s rays at an angle, the light is softer and warmer for your photos.
Some apple picking farms open at 8am, so if you’re an early riser, you can catch the golden hour after sunrise. While I still recommend getting early to any destination (“early” means at opening time), you might consider apple picking in the late afternoon when visitors are heading home. Since I was traveling in the Stow area and only interested in apple picking, I arrived at Honey Pot Hill Orchards after 4pm on a Saturday in late October. (Apple picking cashiers close at 5pm.) 
Heading home in late afternoon.
Near the end of the day, you don’t have to wait in line to enter the orchards and the paths through the apple trees are almost empty.
When you’re in the orchards, take a moment to stop what you’re doing and look around. Enjoy the scenery. You don’t want to miss it. 
The orchards in October.
Honey Pot Hill Orchards Parking 
On busy days or if a large group has booked an outing, you may not have a choice of where to park, but there are 5 parking lots (A-E) at Honey Pot Hill Orchards.
Lot A: Across the street from the farm store which accepts credit cards and also has a bakery, grill, ice cream, and ATM. The farm store is next to the farm animals, Tunnel Maze, picnic tables, and restrooms. The Little Green Monster Maze is also near the farm store. Lot A has apple picking cashiers, ATM, hayride stop, and restrooms. Lot B: About a 15-minute walk to the farm store. Lot B has apple picking cashiers, ATM, and hayride stop. Close to picnic tables and restrooms. Lot B is also near the blueberry patch. Take a hayride from this lot to the Big Green Monster Maze (near Lot D). Lot C: Adjacent to Lot B. Lot C has apple picking cashiers, hayride stop, and restrooms. Lot C is also near the blueberry patch. Lot D: Lot D has a hayride stop and restrooms. Lot D is near the Big Green Monster Maze. Walk to Lots A, B or C for apple picking cashiers. Lot E: About a 20-minute walk to the farm store. Lot E has a hayride stop and restrooms. Walk to Lot A for apple picking cashiers.
Tips for Honey Pot Hill Orchards
Peck-size bag for apple picking.
Apple picking bag sizes. Peck bag ($25 includes admission for up to 3 people). Half bushel bag ($38 includes admission for up to 5 people). The quantity of apples you can fit inside the bag will depend on the size of the apples that you pick.
Cash is king. While ATMs are available, bring plenty of cash to avoid waiting in line. Credit cards are accepted at the farm store and donut windows only. Proper footwear. Keep in mind that the farm often has uneven, sometimes hilly or muddy ground. 
Big Green Monster Maze.
Mazes. The Big Green Monster Maze opens Labor Day weekend and has 1.5 miles of paths with 3,000 arborvitae hedges, 6 bridges, and a lookout gazebo at its center. This maze takes up to 1 hour to complete. You might want to save time, money, and energy with the Little Green Monster Maze (smaller hedge maze) or the Tunnel Maze (good for kids aged 4-9) near the farm store.
Crowds. Honey Pot Hill Orchards is popular because of its location, amenities, and apple varieties. One way to avoid crowds: Early apple picking season is August 20-September 15. Late apple picking season is October 16-November 11. 
Plenty of apples in late October.
Things to know about Honey Pot Hill Orchards
For apple picking, you pay and get your apple picking bags on the way into the orchards.
Backpacks are not allowed within the orchards (yes, because some people try to stuff apples in their backpacks without paying for them). Free to visit the farm animals: ponies, goats, rabbits, pigs, and chickens. Farm animals are located near the farm store. No pets allowed. Only service animals. Hayride is $2 per person. Carriages and strollers are not allowed on the hayride. Farm store has fresh fruits and vegetables, cider, jams, soft serve ice cream. Bakery for apple cider donuts and pies. Grill for hamburgers and hot dogs. Picnic tables are available if you want to bring your own lunch. Hungry for more? See restaurants near Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Google Maps. Visit Honey Pot Hill Orchards 
Honey Pot Hill Orchards
Summer hours: 9am-4pm daily. Autumn hours (starting late August): 9am-6pm daily. Apple picking cashiers close at 5pm. 18 Boon Road, Stow, Massachusetts Tel: 978-562-5666 Visit the Honey Pot Hill Orchards website.
See more Places to Go:
Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Ride Millicent Rogers Museum Authentic Native American Jewelry Jane Austen House Lacock Abbey England Cape Cod Lavender Farm Harwich 
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