As the air becomes crisp and cool you might be reminded of childhood memories, picking apples in the changing fall foliage or sipping hot apple cider from your favorite orchard. Apple picking is an activity that signifies the beginning of autumn in the most nostalgic way.
Ohio’s relatively mild year-round climate makes for perfect apple-growing conditions. Whether your favorite is Granny Smith or you’re on the hunt for something more unusual like Winter Banana, here are some of the best places in the Buckeye State to go apple picking!
Northwest (Toledo)
Located along the sweeping shores of Lake Erie, Northwest Ohio is home to the bustling town of Toledo, idyllic Put-In Bay, and the famous Cedar Point Amusement Park. It’s also a haven for those who love to pick apples as the area’s fertile, lakefront soil is wonderful for growing fruit trees.
1. MacQueen Orchards
Address: 7605 Garden Road, Holland, Ohio 43528
The MacQueen Orchards are a fall staple in Holland, Ohio, and one of the largest orchards in the Toledo area. The picking season begins on September 18th and runs to the third week in October. Their 18 apple varieties help to extend the growing and picking season. You can take home the apples you pick or exchange them for a variety basket with apples that are good for pies, applesauce, and eating fresh! Don’t miss the annual Apple Butter Celebration. Held at the beginning of October, visitors can look forward to live music, kids rides, a petting zoo, and delicious apple cider donuts. Stop by their farm market for cold apple cider, fresh from the cider mill, to sip at home.
2. Hoen’s Orchard
Address: 12540 County Road 7-2, Delta, Ohio 43515
Hoen’s Orchard began when 40 acres were purchased for just $1800 in the late 1800’s. Today, this impressive collection of apple trees has grown into a 100-acre farm featuring 20 different varieties! From early August to October, you can find old-school favorites like Ida Red, Arkansas Black, and Wealthy, and even exotic varieties like Winter Banana.
3. Haslinger Orchards
Address: 7404 US Highway 6, Gibsonburg, Ohio 43431
Five generations of Haslingers have been running these storied orchards, just 30 minutes south of Toledo, since the 1920s. With 12 pickable apple varieties, the orchard’s northern location means that the growing season stretches from August well into October. They also produce fantastic apple butter and a newly installed cider mill keeps the delicious apple goodness pumping year-round.
Bonus: If you decide to pay a trip to the iconic Cedar Point Amusement Park, stop by the Bergman’s Orchard farm stand on your way. These orchards have been serving the Port Clinton community for almost 150 years with the stunning backdrop of Lake Erie!
Central (Columbus)
Right smack in the middle of this square-shaped state, Columbus is the bullseye center of Ohio and the state capital. Surrounded by sprawling farmland in every direction, you won’t be hard-pressed to find an apple orchard or two that are ripe for the picking come August.
4. The Orchard and Company
Address: 7255 US HWY 42, Plain City, OH 43064
The Orchard & Co. is a family-run farm focused on autumnal fun and delicious produce. They’re open from September 9th to October 29th, weather permitting. Featuring unique varieties like the Northern Spy and the official Ohio state apple, the Melrose, you can see their ripening schedule online to plan when to pick. Fun activities for the kids run throughout the season and include the Moo Moo Express, corn pit, jumping pillow, and a paintball range. Be sure to stop by their onsite cafe for apple cider slushies and piping hot pumpkin donuts.
5. Legend Hills Orchard
Address: 11335 Reynolds Road, Utica OH 43080
Tucked away in Licking County, the Legend Hills Orchard has been bringing deliciously crisp apples to the Utica community for over 100 years. Their vast orchards are located on 340 acres of land that have been passed down generation to generation. Call ahead to see which apples are ripe for the picking and use their well laid out map to find the specific trees and varietals you’re on the hunt for. Plan your visit for one of their Market Day events which include hot apple cider, local vendors, and apple samples.
6. Branstool Orchard
Address: 5895 Johnstown Utica Rd, Utica, Ohio 43080
Just 45 minutes northeast of Columbus, the Branstool Orchards offer 40 different apple varieties ready to be plucked from the trees! Apple picking begins in late July with Pristines and ends in late October with ten varieties like Florina, Spitzenberg, Winesap, and Pink Ladies. This is a walking-only orchard and is dedicated to using chemical-free insecticide methods to become more sustainable.
Southwest (Cincinnati)
While most of Ohio is flat as a pancake, the Southwest region of the state is where things start to get more interesting. Hilly Cincinnati is a great destination for apple picking as well as sneaking in a night or two on the town. Indulge in the popular craft beer scene or head out to a Reds baseball game before capping off the weekend with a bout of apple picking.
7. Irons Fruit Farm
Address: 1640 Stubbs Mill Road, Lebanon, OH 45036
The very first orchards were planted on Irons Fruit Farm in the 1930s and the rest is history! Apple picking is available from the end of July to mid-September. Stop by the Market & Bakery, housed in the original horse barn that was built in 1912, for homemade applesauce, cider, hot apple fritters, and apple butter. If you happen to be in town the third weekend in September, head to the Country Applefest where Irons Fruit Farm will have its own booth among many others for this apple-themed event.
8. Brumbaugh Fruit Farm
Address: 6420 Hollansburg Arcanum Rd, Arcanum, OH 4530
Located near Dayton, Ohio, the Brumbaugh Fruit Farm is the perfect orchard to bring the kids along. Interactive entertainment includes the Storybook Forest, Kiddie Korn Maze, and Rug Rat Tunnels, among many more. When you’re ready to pick the apples, head to the orchard for varieties like Winesap and Jonagold. The whole family can tour the Fruit of the Room where guests are shown how apples become apple cider.
9. Peifer Orchards
Address: 4590 US 68 N., Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387
With over 3,000 trees, Peifer Orchards is one of the largest orchards in the Buckeye State! What began as a pipsqueak hobby farm in the serene, hippy enclave of Yellow Springs has grown into a full-blown farming operation. Grab a basket and head into the apple trees on weekends in September and October. You’ll find delicious varieties like Cortland and Mutsu apples. If you can’t find the type you’re looking for, head to their Farm Market for a larger selection.
South (Chillicothe)
The undulating hills of Southern Ohio are one of the most scenic corners of the state. Home to the original Bob Evans farm and the beautiful, waterfall mecca of Hocking Hills State Park, your apple-picking ventures are bound to have a stunning backdrop. Plan the perfect weekend by staying in a cabin, going for a waterfall hike, and a grand finale of fresh pressed cider and orchard explorations.
10. Karnes Orchard
Address: 8200 Worley Mill Road, Hillsboro, OH 45133
Just west of Chillicothe, the Karnes Orchard offers up apple picking from July to October. The first onsite orchard was planted in 1876 meaning that seven generations of Karnes have been cultivating apples on this land! U-Pick is open Monday to Saturday from mid-July to mid-November and features varieties like Ginger Golds, Liberty, Dr. Matthews, and Granny Smith. Snag an ice cold apple cider slushie in the Fruit Store for your orchard explorations.
11. Hidden Hills Orchard
Address: 5680 Ohio Highway 26, Marietta, Ohio 45750
Over 5,000 dwarf apple trees call the Hidden Hills Orchard home in Marietta, Ohio. Perfect for little hands that want to help pick, you’ll find all of your typical apple varieties despite their shorter-than-usual stature. Traipse the trees from late August to November and you’ll find everything from Honeycrisp to Golden Delicious and Suncrisp. Don’t leave without grabbing a jar of their homestyle apple butter or their award-winning apple cider!
East (Youngstown & Steubenville)
Eastern Ohio, bordering the Appalachian Mountains, is a more remote area of the state. The largest cities in the east of the Buckeye State are Youngstown and Steubenville, each surrounded by agricultural communities. This also happens to be Amish Country with large communities spread out throughout this region of Ohio. Orchards are a bit fewer and farther between and more difficult to find those that will let you pick your own apples.
12. Yeary Orchards
Address: 11195 Yeary Road, Adamsville, OH, United States 43802
Started by Doug and Betty Yeary, the Yeary Orchards have grown to over 100 acres of apple trees. Located just outside the small town of Zanesville, the orchard is open from August to December or when the apples are gone for the season. Stop by on weekends to pick apples for your next pie.
13. White House Fruit Farm
Address: 9249 State Route 62, Canfield, Ohio 44406
Come late September, Ohioans flock to White House Fruit Farm for their U-Pick extravaganza! Stroll through 20 acres of apple trees in search of varieties like Morning Mist Fuji, McIntosh, and Crimson Crisp. Plan for your visit to coincide with one of the Fall Harvest Weekends where visitors can take part in festivities like horse-drawn wagon rides, unicorn rides, and delicious food vendors, to name a few.
Northeast (Cleveland)
If you’re looking for apples, you’ve come to the right place! Perhaps the apple-picking capital of Ohio, the Cleveland area has dozens upon dozens of teeming orchards, dotted along both the lakefront and the deciduous forests that gather around the city. If you’ve already picked apples to your heart’s content, head to the “Forest City” for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and to sample some delicious pierogies.
14. Ransom Sage Farm
Address: 11355 Chardon Road, Chardon, Ohio
Apple picking begins promptly on August 26th with the ripening of the Honeycrisp orchard and continues until October 7th with Mutsu apples. The Honeycrisp Orchard is where Ransom Sage really shines as these trees are all dwarf trellis which means that little ones can join in the picking. Unlike most orchards, apples are priced by the bag instead of the pound. Head over to the Sage Orchards for more than 50 varieties of apples. Check their website for the perfect apple crisp recipe to use with your freshly picked spoils.
15. Burnham Orchards
Address: 8019 State Route 113, Berlin Heights, Ohio 44814
Burnham Orchard’s story began during the Revolutionary War when they were granted a plot of land in Ohio. Eventually, orchards were planted in the fertile soil and thus Burnham Orchards was born. Apple picking begins in late July and ends in October. Pickers can look forward to varieties like Sansa, Candycrisp, and Pink Ladies. Make a pit stop at the bakery for apple cider donuts, apple pies, or truly indulge at the Redhead Cider House for made-in-house hard cider!
16. Rittman Orchards
Address: 13548 Mount Eaton Rd, Doylestown, OH 44230
Rittman Orchards is a small family-owned operation with a large variety of apples! With almost 70 varieties grown onsite, you can pick unique apples like Chenango Strawberry, Burgundy, Summer Rambo, and Swiss Gourmet, or stick to old favorites like Gala, Lodi, and Braeburns. Even better, Rittman Orchards has just opened up the brand new, artisan Bent Ladder Cidery and Winery. You can also grab Ohio’s famous buckeye candies, made from peanut butter and chocolate, apple butter, and orchard blossom honey from their own beehives!
17. Arrowhead Orchard
Address: 11724 Lisbon Street, Paris, OH 44669
Arrowhead Orchard is the perfect mixture of fall fun and apple-picking delight. Starting on September 2nd and running until October 31st, apples can be picked by the peck or half bushel. Some of the delicious varieties visitors can look forward to picking include Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, and Fuji, among others. Join in the autumnal celebration each year with a corn maze, hay rides, apple train cart rides, and the infamous apple cannon! Cider becomes available at their Applehouse Market just after Labor Day so plan accordingly.
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