Where to Go Apple Picking in Rhode Island
It's pick-your-own apple time!
Photo by Samantha Labrecque.
As the weather cools and summer days slip away, pull on a sweater or your favorite flannel and head to the nearest orchard or farm. Below are some of the top orchards in Rhode Island offering pick-your-own apples and other activities for all fall lovers.
Jaswell’s Farm
Hours: Wed.–Mon. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Tuesdays
Location: 50 Swan Rd., Smithfield, 401-231-9043, jaswellsfarm.com
The first apples of the season are ready, and picking in the orchards will continue throughout October. Apple-pickers must book a time-slot reservation (for groups of up to six ) and pay in advance on the website. If you have more than six people in your party, you will need to make multiple reservations. There is no cost per person, just the cost of the bag(s), which are $28 for a peck (hold more than ten pounds, recommended for groups for groups of three or fewer) and $48 for a half-bushel (twenty-plus pounds). 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 — think red candy, chocolate-covered caramel or gourmet-topped with mini M&Ms or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups — made on site. Other goodies include fresh baked pies, cookies, cider doughnuts plus a trove of fresh-picked veggies from the fields.
Photo by Jamie Coelho.
Steere Orchard
Hours: Daily, 9-4:30 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 through late fall for picking several types of apples including Macoun, Honeycrisp, Gala, Cortland, Red and Golden Delicious, McIntosh and Rhode Island Greening. Each week they alternate picking sections, plus there’s produce (including peaches and pumpkins) and other goodies (like jams, jellies, apple butter and cider) available for purchase in the farm store.
Barden Family Orchard
Hours: September through early November (or the first hard freeze). Mon.–Thurs. 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Fri.–Sun. and holidays 9 a.m.–4 p.m. The farm store is open until 6 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on weekends.
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 Cortland, Golden Supreme, Rhode Island Greening, . Check their pick-you-own page to learn which varieties are at their peak before you go. Pricing varies based on the number of apples picked, with prices by the half bushel (20 pounds), peck (ten pounds) and half-peck (five pounds), plus quarter-peck (four pounds) for children ages six to eleven and senior citizens only. The farm also presses its own sweet apple cider, and later in the fall offers a selection of big pumpkins and butternut squash.
Photo by Kaitlyn Murray
Narrow Lane Orchard
Hours: Daily. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: 213 Narrow Ln., North Kingstown, 401-294-3584, narrowlaneorchardri.com
Adults and kids can enjoy a stroll through this orchard’s ten acres while picking McIntosh, Liberty, Cortland Empire and Cameo apples at different points in the season. Find out what’s currently in season here. after you’re done picking, take the family around the perimeter of the orchard on the mile-long walking trail and snap a pic with the farm’s Sasquatch. They also have peaches and nectarines available at the farm store.
Photo by Jamie Coelho.
Sunset Orchard Farm
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., including Labor Day and Columbus Day
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 Empire, McIntosh, Cortland, Ida Red, North West Greening and Macoun as well as heirloom varieties. The farm designates each variety with a different colored ribbon so you can easily find the apples you’re looking for in the orchard. But note, each apple variety does have its own season, so you may want to call ahead or visit the Facebook page to find out if they have what you want. 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. 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Location: 915 Mitchell’s Ln., Middletown, 401-847-3912, sweetberryfarmri.com
Despite its name, Sweet Berry Farm offers more than just strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. In the fall months, wander the orchards to collect all sorts of apple varieties, including Honeycrisp, Golden Supreme, Gala, Macs and Janagold (ripens last week of September). In October, there’s Red Delicious, Mutsu Crispin, Fiji and more. View their Apple Guide for more details. Sweet Berry Farm also has sandwiches, soups, salads and more for a lunch that can be enjoyed in their onsite cafe. Visitors can also pick pumpkins, gourds and flowers, and purchase cider doughnuts in the farm market.
Editor’s note: This story is frequently updated.
Photo by Kaitlyn Murray
