(NOTE: This post was previously posted in 2021. I recently updated it for 2024.)
Apple picking season is here! Before pumpkin takes over, I like to give apples their moment to shine. And since BOTH of my picky eaters love apples, it’s a great activity for us to do together in September. Over the years, we’ve gone apple picking at Styers Orchard, Terhune Orchards and Shady Brook Farm. There are things to love about each and we’ve even done more than one spot in a season.
Below, you’ll find a list of local places for apple picking. Bucks County is always my go-to, but I’ve included a few others that aren’t too far away.
Where to Go:
Please note that it is always advised to check a location’s Facebook page or call ahead as openings might vary based on weather and other factors.
931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley
Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, opens at 10 a.m., close time is later on weekends and hours extend as we get closer to Halloween. (Note that wagons to crops end before closure, and apple picking tends to end early October.)
Pricing: $5 picking pass, plus a container that you can fill (container start at $8 for 1/2 peck)
If you’re just in it for the apples (and maybe some Uncle Dave’s ice cream from the Market), you’ll want to visit Shady Brook on Wednesday or Thursday now through September 28. Those are the only two days where you can simply purchase a picking pass for $5 per person. Friday through Sunday (and during the month of October), you’ll need to purchase tickets for FallFest, which includes a full day of family fun. FallFest includes their 5-acre corn maze, wagon rides to the crops, BEARS playground, giant jumping pillow, pedal go-karts, sports challenge area, obstacle course, live music, and more. My family has Fall Season Passes for the 4th year in a row, so you’ll likely see me posting pics from there a lot. Online tickets for FallFest are $15 per person on weekdays and $20 on weekends. Ticket prices go up on “Peak” Weekends, so be sure to check the website for those dates. (Weekends start at 5 p.m. on Friday.) Children under the age of 2 are free. Be sure to purchase your reserved tickets online to guarantee entry, and because it’s a few dollars more if you buy in person.
3325 Creamery Road, New Hope
Hours: Thursday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Closed Monday – Wednesday)
Pricing: Reservation fee is $2.50 per person, 4 and under is free. Apples are $1.50 per pound.
Apple picking has begun at Solebury Orchards! Tractors and wagons take you out to the trees for picking on Saturdays and Sundays. Picking continues until early November. Visit the orchard store for fresh apple cider, cider slushies and heavenly cider donuts.
You need to make a reservation for Saturdays and Sundays.
97 Styers Lane, Langhorne
Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., (close at 5:30 on Sunday) closed Mondays
Pricing: Free picking and wagon ride. Apples are $1.79 per pound.
Styer Orchard offers pick-your-own apples (and more!) throughout the season. Walk or take a wagon out to orchards. Picking and wagon rides are free, making Styer among the most affordable option. Purchase what you pick. After picking, stop by the Market for ice cream, sandwiches, produce, and seasonal treats.
Tabora Farm & Orchard & Rustic Valley Orchard
1104 (Tabora) and 1220 (Rustic) Upper Stump Road, Chalfont
Hours: Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Pricing: $15 ½ peck bag, $22 peck bag, $40 ½ bushel bag
Tabora Farms and Rustic Valley Orchard work in partnership together to offer fall fun. Apple picking is at Rustic Valley Orchard. No reservations necessary. Buy your bag and then go picking! Free wagon ride to and from the orchard. Fall festivals begin in October.
137 W. Knowlton Road, Media
Hours: Pick-your-own is daily, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Pricing: Tickets are $11 and gains you entry to the fields as well as a base size container to fill with apples. You can upgrade your container if you’d like to pick more. Each person over 12 months needs to purchase a ticket.
Linvilla is well known for their fall festival called Pumpkinland, which started September 7. If you’d like to spend the day exploring all of the activities, you’ll want to check them out on their website. Almost everything is priced a la carte, meaning you buy tickets for the corn maze, hay ride, pony rides, etc. separately. If you’re just interested in going apple picking, you can purchase tickets just to do that. Their Apple Festival is Saturday, September 28.
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton for the Market and other activities; apple picking is at 13 Van Kirk Road, Princeton
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Terhune is a favorite of ours. Apples at the Pick Your Own farm are by bag. All guests 4 years and older purchase bag at Check-in. Apple Picking is at our 13 Van Kirk Road Orchard, right around the corner from the main farm. Apple Orchard is cashless. Accept credit & debit card, apple pay, venmo. After apple picking, be sure to drive to the farm to play, see the animals, and visit the market. I love the apple cider donuts and apple cider slushee! And my kids love the sugar cookies. Starting September 21, they’ll also have their Fall Festival every Saturday and Sunday until November 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission starts at $18 if purchased online, and then there are additional packages that include pumpkins and food! (Children under 3 are free.)
133 Church Road, Medford, NJ
Hours: Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pricing: $2.79 per pound plus a ticket to take the hayride out to the orchard (under 12 months ride free)
I haven’t been to Johnson’s Corner Farm yet, but I’ve heard great things! If you just want to pick apples, you can take a hayride out to the orchard for $8 on weekdays or $10 on weekends. (Pay a few dollars more at the gate if you don’t buy online in advance.) If you want to enjoy more activities like rock climbing, pedal go-karts, and other play areas, get tickets for the Discovery Barnyard and Animal Farm. Live music on weekends from noon to 4 p.m. Corn maze is also open on weekends for an additional cost.
Apple Picking Tips
Years ago, I worked on an apple picking article for another website, and I was able to get some great tips from the people at Shady Brook Farm:
- If you know you prefer a certain variety of apple, be sure to call the local farm you’re visiting to ensure those apples are grown there and ready for picking.
- Good farmers will also be able to give you tips on what to look for to guarantee a high quality apple, like the particular color you should look for when picking a specific type.
- Picking apples is easy, and their large size makes it so even young children can join in without the fear of crushing that you might have with a more delicate fruit. To pick an apple from the tree, roll the apple upwards off the branch and give a little twist. Don’t pull straight away from the tree or try to get apples to fall by shaking.
- Always select firm, bruise-free apples and try to leave the stem on the fruit as it will help them store longer.
- Place apples in bags or baskets gently as bruises will cause them to go bad sooner.
I’m adding these tips of my own:
- Apple picking makes for great fall photos! My sister and I have been taking pictures of our kids in almost the same pose every year while apple picking. (Yes, we take the photo from the front, too.) I love looking back to see how they’ve changed over the years. The apple orchards on either side of them give the feel of a “natural” frame. The green of the trees and the sky behind them add color without being distracting.
- Shady Brook deserves a special shoutout for their photo ops!
- Have at least a few apple recipes in mind to try because I find that we get a little over zealous with our picking, and it helps to have some recipes to try when we’ve tired of plain, raw apples. HERE‘S a link to some healthy apple breakfast recipes. I’ll try to post some more soon!
Apple Storage Tips
- Once you bring your apples home, keep them in a cool dry place where they won’t freeze.
- Pick out all apples that have any soft or bruised spots. These are fine to eat but should be eaten first instead of storing.
- Apples that will be eaten within a week or two should be stored in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator.
- Other apples can last several months when stored properly. Wrap apples separately in individual sheets of newspaper, being careful not to use paper with colored ink. Wrapping in paper prevents contact between the apples, so one rotten apple won’t spoil them all.
- Don’t wash apples until just before using to prevent spoilage.
Sweet Mini Moments 
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