Maine is known for its picturesque landscapes, vivid fall foliage, and cool autumn air, which is even better during the apple picking season. There are many apple orchards to choose from across the state, and each one provides tourists with a special and enjoyable experience.
Let’s go on an adventure to discover the unique attractions and offerings of each of Maine’s top apple orchards.
Please note: Many farms in Maine and the surrounding states were hit with a late-season frost in May that killed a lot of the apple blossoms. We’ve done our best to include orchards that are open for apple picking this year, but it’s always best to call ahead to confirm before venturing out.
1. Wallingford’s Fruit House
Address: 1240 Perkins Ridge Rd, Auburn, ME 04210
In Auburn, Wallingford’s Fruit House stands out as a traditional Maine orchard that goes above and above. It provides a wide range of activities for a joyous autumn experience. In addition to apple picking, guests may enjoy a petting zoo, a difficult corn maze, terrifying haunted hay rides, and watching their little children play on a playground specifically for them.
The orchard has a fantastic bakery with delicious goodies for those with a sweet appetite. For those who want a full day of fall activities, Wallingford’s Fruit House is the best place to go.
2. Boothby’s Orchard & Farm Winery
Address: 366 Boothby Rd, Livermore, ME 04253
For lovers of apples, Boothby’s Orchard & Farm Winery in Livermore, Maine, is a paradise. A wide variety of apples, including both well-known favorites and elusive heirloom kinds, are available at this orchard. You can choose apples like McIntosh, Courtland, Honey Crisp, Gala, Golden Delicious, Macoun, Northern Spy, Paula Red, Jonagold, Mutza, and Baldwin from the ready-to-go baskets here, or you can pick them yourself.
But apples are just the start of Boothby’s Orchard’s delicious offerings. They also provide a beautiful selection of wines as well as hand-pressed cider. Visitors can fill up on regional meats, cheeses, and produce to carry a taste of Maine with them home. Additionally, you can select the ideal pumpkin as the season goes on, along with corn stalks and hay bales to finish the attractive mood.
3. Thompson’s Orchards
Address: 276 Gloucester Hill Rd, New Gloucester, ME 04260
The quaint family-run apple orchard Thompson’s Orchards is located in the center of New Gloucester. Beyond the draw of apple picking, Thompson’s Orchards enchants tourists with a plethora of family-friendly pursuits. This orchard is a well-liked fall trip because of the excitement of tractor rides, the satisfaction of finding the ideal pumpkin in the pumpkin patch, and the allure of apple picking.
The farm store is a goldmine of locally produced sweets from Maine, including delectable baked goods, syrup, preserves, and even handcrafted items. And don’t leave without eating their delicious apple cider doughnuts if you want to truly experience the essence of autumn!
4. Libby & Son U-PICKS
Address: 86 Sawyer Mountain Rd, Limerick, ME 04048
Libby & Son U-PICKS proudly ranks as one of the best apple orchards in the state and is situated in Limerick, Maine. The dedication to the craft of harvesting, not only apples but a variety of fruits like berries, plums, and peaches, is what makes this orchard unique. Visitors of all ages like the “fruity family fun experience” that it offers.
You may treat yourself to their delectable handcrafted donuts after your fruit-picking excursion, which come in a variety of tantalizing flavors like apple cider, blueberry, strawberry, and red velvet. Fresh smoothies and hot kettle corn are also available for anyone in need of refreshment.
5. Pietree Orchard
Address: 803 Waterford Rd, Sweden, ME 04040
Pietree Orchard is the pinnacle of a lovely Maine apple orchard, so look no further. This charming apple farm is situated in Sweden and offers tourists stunning mountain views as they stroll through the orchard and select their own Maine apples. However, the pleasures don’t end there. The ideal way to end your apple-picking excursion is to head over and place an order for some of their famed wood-fired pizza.
6. Hope Orchards
Address: 434 Camden Rd, Hope, ME 04847
A variety of apple varieties are available at Hope Orchards in Hope, Maine, including some unique selections including Hyslop, Crabapple, and Tolman Sweet. The orchard also cultivates a variety of vegetables, raspberries, pears, and grapes in addition to apples. Hope Orchards offers nearly two dozen farm apple varieties for people looking to broaden their apple horizons.
You can choose from a variety and even perform taste testing to find your new favorite apple. Beyond apples, this orchard offers a plethora of regional goods in its farm market. Hope Orchards provides a well-rounded, rewarding experience and ranks among the top apple orchards in Maine thanks to its assortment of raspberries, pears, grapes, different veggies, and other treats. Orchard opens September 16th.
7. Apple Acres Farm
Address: 363 Durgintown Rd, Hiram, ME 04041
A haven for apple lovers may be found at Apple Acres Farm, a certified organic pick-your-own farm near Hiram, Maine. This farm, which is located in North Conway, New Hampshire, about 45 minutes from Portland and other well-known locations, attracts both young and young-at-heart visitors.
Children can enjoy the playground, and adults can browse the lovely farm store. The hot-off-the-fryer donuts from the orchard are without a doubt the highlight, and pickers can virtually catch apples as they fall from the trees.
8. McDougal Orchards
Address: 201 Hanson Ridge Rd, Springvale, ME 04083
A traditional New England experience is available in Southern Maine at McDougal Orchards, a family-run apple farm in its seventh generation. At Captain Jack’s Donut Shack in McDougal Orchards, where some of Maine’s most delicious apple cider doughnuts are made, you should start your visit. After being fueled by these delicacies, you may start your apple-picking trip by selecting from a wide variety of apples.
But there are many other fall activities at this farm besides apple picking. A genuinely magical experience, McDougal Orchards features a corn maze, a farm store, wagon rides, and even a charming fairy village. This orchard is a great option for families, especially those with young children, thanks to its fascinating history and variety of activities.
9. Rocky Ridge Orchard
Address: 38 Rocky Ridge Ln, Bowdoin, ME 04287
In Bowdoin, Maine, Rocky Ridge Orchard is a kid- and family-friendly apple orchard that provides a traditional New England experience. the farmland includes apple picking, a pumpkin patch for choosing the ideal pumpkin, breathtaking fall farm scenery at every turn, and a farm store stocked with delicious sweets. It has everything you need for a fun family adventure. Don’t leave without indulging in their freshly baked apple cider doughnuts, which are the epitome of autumn.
10. Ricker Hill Orchards
Address: 295 Buckfield Rd, Turner, ME 04282
This orchard, which is well-known for its McIntosh apples, started making hard cider and wine in 2014 and today offers a wide range of outstanding cider flavors. During apple season, visitors can take part in U-Pick apple sessions, but the fun doesn’t end there.
The orchards provide a wide variety of fall-themed activities, such as corn and hay mazes, a bounce house, tractor displays, and a mouthwatering array of fresh doughnuts. Additionally, visitors can join guided tours in the fall to see the cider-making process firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of the orchard’s rich history.
The orchard’s gift shop is also a hidden gem, selling beautiful items from nearby New England businesses including jams, jellies, Maine whoopie pies, fudge, wooden toys, Yankee Candles, and even John Deere tractors. Ricker Hill Orchards shines as one of the top apple orchards in Maine for an actual and vivid orchard experience.
11. Meadow Brook Farm
Address: 727 Webbs Mills Rd, Raymond, ME 04071
At Meadow Brook Farm in Raymond, Maine, you may either buy bushels of apples or go apple picking, which is a great experience. There is an apple to suit every taste thanks to a vast variety of apple cultivars, including Macs, Cortlands, Golden Delicious, and more.
Don’t forget to bring home a dozen of their delectable apple cider donuts—a truly seasonal treat that goes great with your apple-picking outing. An afternoon spent at Meadow Brook Orchard, a traditional apple orchard maintained by a family, is similar to spending time with your extended family and is a warm and enjoyable experience!
12. Randall Orchards & Cider Mill
Address: 1 Randall Rd, Standish, ME 04084
Randall Orchards & Cider Mill, situated in Standish and only 15 minutes from Portland, is a great option for apple picking. With a history spanning more than 110 years, this orchard has become an expert in apple cultivation and cider production. Along with other fruits and vegetables, they grow an orchard with 20 distinct apple varieties.
From late August through November, the orchard is open seven days a week, giving visitors plenty of chances to enjoy the seasonal treats. Check out their Facebook page for the most recent information on activities and news at this apple orchard in Maine.
13. Sweetser’s Apple Barrel and Orchards
Address: 19 Blanchard Rd, Cumberland, ME 04021
Apple lovers might find refuge at Sweetser’s Apple Barrel and Orchards in Cumberland Center. It’s a real apple paradise with an astounding assortment of 50 distinct apple kinds, including early varieties like Yellow Transparent and Duchess, mid-season favorites like Spartan and Snow Apple, and late-season choices like Ben Davis and Nodhead.
Additionally, a wide variety of non-organic pre-picked kinds and organic pears and peaches are available at the orchard. They sell flowers, cheese, honey, cider, different pastries, bread, and other delectables in their farm store.
14. Brackett’s Orchards
Address: 224 Sokokis Ave, Limington, ME 04049
A testimony to both history and the joy of autumn is Brackett’s Orchards. Their inspiring website for fall creates the foundation for an unforgettable experience. This orchard, which is believed to be the oldest family-run apple orchard in Maine, has a welcoming and roomy ambiance. This apple orchard, which provides apple picking as well as the lovely option to drink hot mulled cider, fresh donuts, and a charming farm stand, will be especially beloved by families.
15. Five Fields Farm
Address: 720 S Bridgton Rd, Bridgton, ME 04009
Apple orchards and cross-country skiing may be enjoyed all year round at Five Fields Farm. A variety of apples, including Paula Red, Ginger Gold, McIntosh, Courtland, Honey Crisp, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Macoun, and Lady, are available for selecting from trees throughout the fall.
Apple lovers will have many options thanks to this wide range. The apple farm changes into a winter paradise in the winter and welcomes guests to enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The farm has included these activities for more than ten years, making it a year-round attraction for outdoor aficionados.
16. Lakeside Orchards
Address: 318 Readfield Rd, Manchester, ME 04351
Apples are just the beginning at Lakeside Orchards. In addition to apple picking, this Manchester farm market is open all year long and sells a range of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, freshly baked items and homemade bread are available for visitors’ enjoyment. If you need a morning pick-me-up, think about dropping by for a steaming cup of freshly made coffee and a raspberry turnover to get your day off to a good start.
Reggae Fest, a fun and family-friendly occasion that honors the orchard’s late-summer splendor and provides a distinctive, varied celebration, comes to Lakeside Orchards each August. Lakeside Orchards definitely earned its spot among the top apple orchards in Maine with its varied offerings and exciting activities.
