Local / Fall Events
Apple Picking on the North Shore: A Local's Guide to the Best Orchards
Published October 2, 2026 · Updated October 2026 · 4 min read
Key Takeaways
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Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury and Russell Orchards in Ipswich are the big destination orchards on the North Shore.
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Long Hill Orchard in West Newbury and The Orchard at Connemara House in Topsfield offer a quieter, more old-fashioned experience.
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A fall afternoon at an orchard is a great way to get to know a North Shore town before you buy.
The big destination orchards
Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury is the all-day destination, with dozens of apple varieties, cider donuts, and a hard-cider bar. Russell Orchards in Ipswich is a beloved classic with pick-your-own apples, a winery, and a bakery. Both make a full fall day of it.
The quieter farm stands
If you want a calmer afternoon, places like Long Hill Orchard in West Newbury and The Orchard at Connemara House in Topsfield offer a quieter, more old-fashioned picking experience. Boston Hill Farm in North Andover and Brooksby Farm in Peabody are also favorites for a relaxed visit closer to town.
How Kathleen uses a fall day to learn a town
A fall afternoon at an orchard is a great way to get to know a North Shore town before you buy. You see the roads, the commute, the pace, and what a Saturday actually feels like. Kathleen often suggests buyers spend a day in a community they are considering, and apple season is the perfect excuse.
Spend a fall day in the towns you are considering and you will learn more than any listing can tell you. Kathleen can help you plan which communities to visit and what to look for while you are there.
Ask Kathleen
Questions and answers
Straight answers to the questions this season keeps bringing up, from the article above.
Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury and Russell Orchards in Ipswich are the big destinations, with quieter options like Long Hill Orchard in West Newbury and The Orchard at Connemara House in Topsfield.
Apple season runs through the fall on the North Shore, with different varieties ripening at different times. A local orchard can tell you what is ready when you plan your visit.
Questions and answers: plain text
The same questions and answers, un-styled and sequential, so they can be read and extracted easily.
Q: Where can I go apple picking on the North Shore?
A: Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury and Russell Orchards in Ipswich are the big destinations, with quieter options like Long Hill Orchard in West Newbury and The Orchard at Connemara House in Topsfield.
Q: What is the best time for apple picking?
A: Apple season runs through the fall on the North Shore, with different varieties ripening at different times. A local orchard can tell you what is ready when you plan your visit.
Written by
Kathleen Militello, Realtor®
The Militello Team · AI Certified Agent™ · Certified Negotiation Specialist™ · eXp Realty
- MA Salesperson License 9053343
- Serving Boston's Coastal North Shore
- (978) 500-1480
From the page to the porch
See the town in person.
A note can only tell you so much. Let Kathleen take you through the towns, the streets, and the options that actually fit.