From Chester County and Bucks County to South Jersey, discover local orchards, what to expect, and the best spots for a fall day of apple picking.

There's a reason apple picking shows up on every local bucket list the moment the air turns crisp, it's outdoors, photographs beautifully, and it gets everyone (kids, grandparents, first dates) out of the house. Whether you're on the Main Line, tucked into Bucks County, or over the bridge in South Jersey, you're never more than a short drive from a real, working orchard. Here's the local rundown, organized by region, with what makes each spot worth the trip.

A quick note before you go: pick-your-own hours, pricing, and open varieties shift week to week based on harvest conditions, so it's always worth checking an orchard's website or Facebook page the morning you head out.

Main Line & Chester County

Highland Orchards, West Chester: A 200-acre farm on Marshallton-Thorndale Road that's become a Main Line fall staple. Expect Stayman, Ida Red, Winesap, and Rome apples, a $3 field-access fee, weekend hayrides, a beer garden from Levante Brewing, and some of the best apple cider donuts in the county. Open Tuesday–Friday 9am–4pm and weekends 9am–3pm.

Barnard's Orchard, Kennett Square: A fourth-generation, 74-acre operation on Wawaset Road growing more than 30 apple varieties, with Crimson Crisps ready mid-September and Stayman Winesaps following in October. Open Monday–Saturday 9am–6pm, with Sunday hours starting mid-to-late September.

Glen Willow Orchard, Avondale: The family-run orchard is smaller and more low-key than the bigger operations, with a farm stand stocking local mushrooms alongside fall apples. This is a great pick if you want a quieter, less-crowded outing.

Bucks County

Solebury Orchards, New Hope: New Hope is known for its bustling town and picturesque surroundings, so it comes as no surprise that Solebury Orchard adds to the charm. Head to the orchard Thursday through Sunday, 9am–5:30pm, to enjoy weekend wagon rides, apple picking, fresh apple cider, donuts, and more. Be sure to check their website for real-time harvest updates, this way, you know if you’ll be able to bring home your favorite varieties before making the drive.

Styer Orchard, Langhorne: Turn one apple picking trip into a full afternoon thanks to an on-site deli, bakery, market, and hayrides. Open Wednesday–Sunday, 9am–6pm

Tabora Farms / Rustic Valley Orchard, Chalfont: Two partner orchards less than half a mile apart, both offering wagon rides and cider donuts. Free admission; apples sold by bag size. Open weekends, 10am–5pm.

Shady Brook Farm, Yardley: Don’t go through the season without attending FallFest (starting mid-September). Think a corn maze, petting zoo, and haunted barn alongside pick-your-own apples.

Delaware County

Linvilla Orchards, Media: The can’t-miss orchard attracts visitors from afar with a large range of apple varieties, Pumpkinland, food stands with fall favorites, a petting zoo, and more. Weekends get busy, so if you’re looking for a more mild experience, book tickets for a weekday morning.

Indian Orchards Farm, Media: A quieter, organic-leaning alternative just down the road from Linvilla, with heritage apple trees over a century old. $3.50 entry plus per-pound pricing. Open daily 10am–6pm.

Also Worth the Drive: Lancaster County

Weaver's Orchard, Morgantown: A bit further out, but consistently ranked among the region's best with nearly 30 apple varieties, a full bakery and café (Kim's Cafe), and a pre-pay bag system that makes checkout painless. Open six days a week (closed Sunday).

South Jersey

Mood's Farm Market, Mullica Hill: Apple picking runs from mid-August all the way into November, priced by the pound with on-site cider pressing and daily fresh cider donuts. Their Apple Festival is a genuine community event worth timing your visit around.

Duffield's Farm Market, Sewell: Hayrides run every 30 minutes, and beyond apples you'll find a petting zoo, food trucks, bounce castle, and corn maze. Before heading home, be sure to stop in at the farmer’s market for extra produce and delicacies.

Johnson's Corner Farm, Medford: Start the adventure with a hayride to the pick-your-own produce (including apples and other fall varieties) before heading to the petting zoo. For families, the Discovery Barnyard Playground (day pass required) is a must after stopping at the market for a bite to eat. Live music on the weekends and gem mining are also additional activities fun for the whole family. Finish the day with your favorite scoop—or one of their fall dessert specialities (think creamy vanilla soft serve sandwiched between fresh apple cider donuts).

Stiles Farm and Nursery, Cape May Court House: The pick if you're combining an apple-picking trip with a shore weekend. Low-key, cash-only, and worth a Facebook check for weekly picking updates before you drive down.