🍎 Apple Picking Guide – Merrimack Valley & North Shore

Apple picking season is one of the best parts of fall in New England. Whether you’re looking for a big family-friendly farm with hayrides and donuts or a smaller orchard for a quieter outing, here are some wonderful options in Amesbury, Merrimac, Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Ipswich, Rowley, Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Rockport, Gloucester, Peabody, Danvers, Salem, Marblehead, Swampscott, and Beverly.

🌳 Amesbury

Cider Hill Farm

145 acres with 60 apple varieties
Cider donuts, hayrides, food trucks, festivals, live music, cider bar
A full-day fall experience
👉 ciderhill.com

🌳 Merrimac

Homestead Farm

Quiet, family-run orchard
Pick-your-own apples and seasonal produce
A great option for smaller crowds

🌳 Newburyport / Newbury

Tendercrop Farm at Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm (Newbury)

Pick-your-own apples and pumpkins
Petting zoo, farm stand, baked goods
Historic setting with open fields
👉 tendercropfarm.com

🌳 West Newbury

Long Hill Orchard & Farm

150-acre orchard
PYO apples, pumpkins, and seasonal vegetables
Farm store with baked goods and jams
👉 longhillorchard.com

🌳 Ipswich

Russell Orchards

One of the most beloved orchards on the North Shore
Apples, peaches, berries, pumpkins, winery, bakery, and farm animals
Beautiful setting for a fall day
👉 russellorchards.com

🌳 Rowley

Maple Crest Farm

Offers seasonal apple picking
Local farm stand with produce and baked goods
👉 maplecrestfarmrowley.com

🌳 Essex

While Essex doesn’t have large pick-your-own orchards, nearby Ipswich (Russell Orchards) and Rowley (Maple Crest Farm) are great nearby options.

🌳 Manchester-by-the-Sea / Rockport / Gloucester

These coastal towns don’t have traditional apple orchards due to geography, but you’ll find local farm stands and seasonal fall markets for fresh-picked apples and cider. For true PYO, Russell Orchards (Ipswich) and Appleton Farms (Hamilton/Ipswich border) are the closest options.

🌳 Peabody

Brooksby Farm

Classic apple orchard with PYO apples and pumpkins
Farm store with pies, cider, baked goods
Animals and fall festivals for kids
👉 brooksbyfarm.org

🌳 Danvers

Connors Farm (just over the border from Danvers in Danversport)

Apples, pumpkins, corn mazes, hayrides, farm stand
Famous for their fall family festivals
👉 connorsfarm.com

🌳 Salem, Marblehead, Swampscott, Beverly

These coastal towns don’t have their own orchards, but Brooksby Farm (Peabody), Connors Farm (Danvers), and Russell Orchards (Ipswich) are just a short drive away and remain the most popular local options.