Harvesting Fall: THE 203’S Local Guide to Apple Picking in Connecticut

There’s just something about apple season in Connecticut. The air gets a little crisper, the leaves start showing off, and suddenly your weekends feel incomplete without a flannel shirt and a bag full of apples. 

Apple season here is more than just a weekend activity- it’s a tradition, a chance to slow down, and a reminder of everything we love about fall in New England. 

At The 203, we’re all about celebrating those local traditions and making the most of life in Connecticut. So grab your baskets, round up your crew, and get ready to savor Fall in CT. 

Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard - Shelton 

If you grew up in Fairfield County, chances are you’ve spent a crisp fall day wandering through Beardsley’s in Shelton’s White Hills neighborhood. This place is pure New England tradition - family-run since 1849 and still going strong with over 13,000 apple trees (yep, you read that right). The rows stretch forever, and the views are just as sweet as the apples. But the real magic? The cider mill. You can actually watch their cider press in action - an old-school process that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Don’t leave without a jug of their fresh apple cider (bonus points if you snag their cider donuts while they’re still warm).

Bishop's Orchards - Guilford 

For shoreline locals, Bishop’s is the spot for apple picking with a side of everything else fall. This Guilford staple has been family-run for generations, and it shows - from the rolling orchards packed with apple varieties to the iconic red barns that feel straight out of a postcard. This is the kind of place where you come for the apples and end up staying all day. The kids can burn off energy at the play area with slides, pedal carts, and farm animals to visit, while the grown-ups sip their way through local wine and hard cider tastings. Top it off with a stop at the creamery for ice cream, and you’ve officially turned apple picking into a full-blown fall outing. Of course, you’ll still want to swing by the farm market and bakery on your way out - because no trip to Bishop’s is complete without a pie or a bag of cider donuts riding shotgun on the way home.

Lyman Orchards - Middlefield 

Perched on rolling hills with sweeping views of the Connecticut River Valley, Lyman Orchards is as much about the scenery as it is about the apples (and trust us, there are tons of apples). This is the kind of place where apple picking is just the beginning. Kids can visit the petting farm or hop on a horse-drawn wagon ride, while families tackle the farm’s famous corn maze - a new design every year that’s become a rite of passage for fall in Connecticut. For those looking to swap baskets for golf clubs, Lyman even has its own golf courses that stretch across the orchard grounds. And of course, no visit is complete without a stop at the Apple Barrel market for their legendary pies and cider donuts. Lyman’s isn’t just loved locally - it’s been named Connecticut Magazine’s Best Pick-Your-Own Farm and even landed on the list of the Top 10 apple-picking spots in the U.S.

Rogers Orchard - Southington 

Rogers isn’t just an orchard - it’s a Southington institution, run by the same family for over 200 years. With orchards spread across the hills, the views are gorgeous and the apple varieties feel endless. Their PYO is open Fridays through Sundays, which makes it the perfect weekend tradition. Between two beautiful farm locations, the bottle shop, and their hand-crafted hard cider, Rogers gives you plenty of reasons to linger. You can load up on apples, hop on a hayride, or wander into their farm stand for honey, cider, and fresh-baked treats (their pies are worth the trip alone). 

Silverman’s Farm - Easton

We grew up on Silverman’s cider… annnd we STILL can’t drive by this iconic destination without stopping to snag an apple cider sippy cup (if you know, you KNOW)! Let’s just say, it’s not Fall until we’ve made a trip to Silverman’s!

With twenty different varieties of pick your own apples (good luck making a decision), this family-owned farm is your one-stop shop for all things Fall. Silverman's Farm is all about that family-friendly atmosphere, meaning everyone from the littlest-locals to the grown-ups.

Belltown Hill Orchards - South Glastonbury 

Tucked into the rolling hills of South Glastonbury, Belltown Hill Orchards feels like stumbling into a century-old family secret - because it is, The Preli family has been running this farm for over a century, and you can feel that history the second you step onto the property. In the fall, the orchards come alive with more than two dozen apple varieties - from crisp Honeycrisps to tart McIntoshes- and the views while you’re picking are just as sweet as the fruit. It’s the kind of spot where you want to slow down, wander the rows, and soak in the quiet country setting. The farm market and bakery are a must before you head home. Think fresh-baked pies, local honey, jams, and all the cozy little treats you didn’t know you needed until you see them on the shelves.

Dondero Orchards - South Glastonbury

Family-owned for over a century, Dondero Orchards is the kind of place that feels like stepping into a storybook version of fall. Their pick-your-own fields are loaded with classics like Cortlands and Granny Smiths, but what really makes Dondero special is the experience beyond the apples. From fresh-baked apple fritters that never make it home to their seasonal farm-to-table dinners set right in the orchard, this is a spot that blends charm and tradition in the best way. Dondero is the kind of place that makes you want to linger long after your bag is full.

Blue Jay Orchards - Bethel, CT

There’s something about Blue Jay Orchards that just screams classic New England fall. With over 20 varieties of apples and rows that seem to stretch forever, it’s the kind of place where you can lose track of time filling your bag (and your camera roll). Whether you’re filling your basket with the crispest apples or indulging in their famous fresh-baked cider donuts, there’s something here to make everyone smile. The real legend here? Their cider donuts - warm, sugary, and worth the trip on their own.