9 Places to go Apple Picking in Rhode Island
Some of the best orchards around Rhode Island are offering pick-your-own apples and other activities for you and your family.
Photo by Samantha Labrecque.
Summer may be coming to a close, but we’re ready to keep the outdoor fun going. As the weather starts to cool down and summer days slip away, pull on a sweater or your favorite flannel, then head to the nearest orchard or farm. Below are some of the best orchards around Rhode Island offering pick-your-own apples and other activities for all fall lovers beginning the first full weekend of September.
Dame Farm and Orchard
Hours: Mon.–Fri. 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Sat., Sun. and Mon. holidays. 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: 91B Brown Ave., Johnston, 401-949-3657, damefarmandorchards.com
Dame Farm and Orchard will be opening their seven acres of land for picking on September 7. A cultivated variety of trees include McIntosh, Cortland, Gala, Honeycrisp, Macoun, Jonagold, Braeburn, Ida Red and Red Delicious. Each tree is tagged with the date and suggestions for cooking and eating, too. The farm also offers twenty-minute wagon rides around the farm and a two-mile-long corn maze for $6 per person per activity. Children younger than two are free.
Hill Orchards
Hours: Sat. and Sun. in September and October, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: 86 Winsor Ave., Johnston, 401-949-2940, hillorchards.com
The farm’s original orchard from the 1920s grows eleven types of apple trees throughout the season, eight of which are ready to be picked beginning September 7: Gala, Macoun, Empire, Fuji, Red Delicious, Granny Smith and Rome apples. Horse-drawn hayrides tour the entire orchard on select weekends so please call before planning your trip.
Jaswell’s Farm
Hours: Daily. 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: 50 Swan Rd., Smithfield, 401-231-9043, jaswellsfarm.com
Apple picking will begin in early September and will continue throughout October, while pick-your-own pumpkins are also happening through the end of October. Jaswell’s offers hayrides too, which will most likely begin on September 8, plus a concession stand with hot apple crisp, apple cider doughnuts, doughboys and French fries. The farm also presses and pasteurizes its own fresh apples on the largest apple cider mill in the state. Don’t forget to try Jaswell’s candy apples (red candy, caramel, chocolate-covered caramel and gourmet-topped treats), made daily on site. And stop in the farm stand for fresh baked goods and groceries from local purveyors.
Steere Orchard
Hours: Daily. 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: 150 Austin Ave., Greenville, 401-949-1456, steereorchard.com
One of the biggest orchards in the state, Steere Orchard is open for picking, but currently has limited varieties available. However, the orchard will remain open through late fall for picking twelve different types of apples including McIntosh, Cortland, Red and Golden Delicious, Empire and Rhode Island Greening. Each week they alternate picking sections, while offering free hayrides to visitors on weekends. Apples are also available in the farm stand. Join them on October 7–8 for Apple Fest and listen to live music, munch on baked goods and peruse various vendors goodies from 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Photo by Jamie Coelho.
Barden Family Orchard
Hours: Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. for picking (store closes at 6 p.m.); Sat.–Sun. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. for picking. Store closes at 5 p.m.
Location: 56 Elmdale Rd., North Scituate, 401-934-1413, bardenfamilyorchard.com
This orchard is ready for apple pickers. Walk up the big hill and wander the sprawling grounds to fill a bag with varieties such as McIntosh, Gala, Cortland, Jonagold and Honeycrisp. The farm also presses its own cider, and offers a selection of big pumpkins and sherbet-hued gourds later in the fall. Some peaches are also still hanging on trees and tomatoes are available for purchase, too.
Photo from Pippin Apple Orchard Facebook Page.
Pippin Orchard
Hours: Daily. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: 751 Pippin Orchard Rd., Cranston, 401-943-7096, pippinorchard.com
Apple trees are scattered around Pippin Orchard’s land, and will be ready to be picked on the first or second week of September. Call ahead for opening day. The orchard grows MCintosh, Empire, Cortland, Gala, Honeycrisp, Macoun, Jonagold and Red Delicious. Trees are mixed and they are not marked. Pick your own is $24 per bag. The orchard also offers a cider slushie made with a shot of caramel or maple for an extra $1, as well as fresh doughnuts, pies, pastries, jams and breads in the store.
Narrow Lane Orchard
Hours: Daily. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: 213 Narrow Ln., North Kingstown, 401-294-3584, facebook.com/NarrowLaneOrchard
Adults and kids can enjoy a stroll through this orchard’s ten acres while picking McIntosh, Gala, Honeycrisp, Empire and Cortland apples, and there are still some peaches available, too. Take the family around the perimeter of the orchard on the mile-long walking trail.
Photo by Jamie Coelho.
Sunset Orchard Farm
Hours: Daily in September and October. 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: 244 Gleaner Chapel Rd., North Scituate, 401-934-1900, sunsetorchardsri.com
Visitors to Sunset Orchard have up to twenty-five different varieties of apples from which to choose, including Macoun, Cortland, Red and Golden Delicious. The free tractor rides will take you around parts of the farm and kids can also hop on the kiddie barrel train ride for a small fee. The farm’s store stocks fresh picked orchard fruit as well as homemade apple pies, non-pasteurized apple cider pressed fresh on the farm, candied apples and other sweet treats.
Sweet Berry Farm
Hours: Daily. 8 a.m. –7 p.m.
Location: 915 Mitchell’s Ln., Middletown, 401-847-3912, sweetberryfarmri.com
Sweet Berry Farm offers more than just strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. In the fall months, you can wander the orchards to collect all sorts of apple varieties, including McIntosh, Ginger Gold, Gala, Macoun, Cortland, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Empire and Liberty, and in October, there’s Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Crispin, Cameo and more. Pick-your-own begins mid-September at this idyllic little farm. Before heading to the orchard, stop in at the farm stand to purchase your bag for picking. Sweet Berry Farm also has sandwiches, soups, salads and more for a lunch that can be enjoyed at the outdoor tables. They also have ice cream for purchase inside the farm store.
This blog was updated on September 3, 2019 with current hours.
