September and October are our favorite months to tour the Pennsylvania apple farms for u-pick fruit and pumpkins. Plan a day in the fields to round out a long weekend in the great family-friendly city of Philadelphia.
Are you are looking to pick fruit or teach the kids about Mother Nature? Practice healthy eating, go on a hayride, get lost in a corn maze, or buy fresh baked goods? My directory of local Philadelphia and Gettysburg area pick-your-own farms will help you choose the right one.
For a complete guide to apple picking orchards and farms across the country, visit check out the FTF Guide to Top U-Pick Farms in the US.
Fruit and Vegetable Harvests in Pennsylvania
In the spring and fall there are many seasonal fruit picking opportunities that are great for the whole family. Several farms and orchards are found within a 60-mile radius of Philadelphia. However, the economics of family farming have changed so much. Today, most of our favorites offer a surprising variety of produce that they pick, or you pick, plus lots of kids activities.
Before you head out, consider what you’ll do with the fruit or vegetables. Collect some recipes. With apples, the most popular varieties for eating include the Macintosh, Empire, Fuji and Honeycrisp. If sauces or pies are in the plan (and you and the kids can assemble them and put them in the freezer to be baked at a later date), try the Cortland, Golden Delicious, Russet and Mutsu.
Gettysburg’s climate is such that several varieties peak as late as October and November. Nittany, Winesap, Enterprise and Idared apples are versatile enough to be eaten fresh, cooked into sauce, or baked into delicious pies. Braeburn, Fuji and Granny Smith apples can be picked into November, so there’s no excuse not to make fresh apple pies for Thanksgiving.
Not traveling in fall? In late spring and summer, families can pick berries. Remember that fresh berries will need to be consumed quickly — fresh or in pies. To store them, remove stems, wash thoroughly and dry them, then store in a zip-loc bag in the freezer. If you come home with too many vegetables, use the opportunity to try different soups.
Typically, there is no charge to enter the farms. Due to the added activities on weekends, many do charge an entry fee. Note that no pets are allowed on most of the farms.
Favorite Pennsylvania Apple Farms Near Philadelphia
The Highland Orchards Farm Market & Bakery has been farming its 200 acres since 1941. It isn’t exactly all things to all people, but it’s popular in mid-September when apples are ready to pick. Look for hayrides, a cow milker, fresh-baked pies, a few farm animals, pumpkin patch and an open air shuttle to the PYO zone. Don’t forget their apple cider donuts voted a prestigious “Best of Philly” award.
A better option for the activity-obsessed family is Linvilla, which some locals liken to Disneyland. In addition to robust picking opportunities among 25 apple varietals, Linvilla has a stocked trout pond, beer garden, regular story time and yoga classes. Go in October for the really tricked out pumpkin patch that will get Halloween juices flowing early. If it’s hot outside, inquire about day passes to use their two pools, each a membership swimming club that attracts locals.
Another farm we like close to the city is Shady Brook Farm which runs the Friday night UnWINEd concert series on their party patio in summer when visitors come for u-pick vegetables. In August and September, they turn their attention to apples. Those weeks overlap with peaches and pumpkins, too. Take a wagon ride out to the fields for some extra fun. Warning: the five-acre corn maze comes alive from mid-September to the end of October. There’s bonfires and more spooky stuff going on as part of their Fall Fest, Pumpkin Fest and Horror Fest weekends.
Favorite Gettysburg Area Pick Your Own Farms
It’s not exactly in the Philly flight path, but very close to Gettysburg for those making a historical visit. Hollabaugh Brothers Fruit Farm in Biglerville was voted one of USA Today’s ‘top 10 apple picking orchards’ in the U.S. This enormous farm has been in operation since 1955. The farmstand boasts a wide variety of fruits and vegetables all grown on property. They mail order around the country, too. Check schedules for their toddler reading group, yoga classes and cooking school. At their U Pick Bin, visitors can reach into a trunk full of apples and select your favorite varietal. Throughout September, expect to find Hollabaugh’s home-grown peaches, nectarines, pears and Asian pears.
For tradition, we like Boyer Nurseries & Orchards, in Biglerville since 1900. This place comes alive in mid-June with cherry picking. Self-pickers will find every kind of stone fruit growing in summer: peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots. When the leaves begin turning, the Boyer barn and fruit market stands host colorful squash, gourds, and Indian corn. Every kind of apple you can think of — including a selection of heritage apples — is on display. Don’t overlook the pumpkins in all sizes from September onwards. If you don’t want to pick your own (it’s open for U Pick from late August to October), shop the market, garden center, and wine and cider tasting cafe.
U-Pick Farms for Pennsylvania Families & Visitors
Of the many orchards and produce farms in Pennsylvania, we liked the following the best for family staycations or weekend getaways.
Highland Orchards Farm Market & Bakery, 1000 Marshallton-Thorndale Road, West Chester, PA 19380 – 610/269-3494
Linvilla Orchards, 598 Linvilla Road, Media, PA 19063 – 610/876-7116
Shady Brook Farm, 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, PA 19067 – 215/968-1670
Merrymead Farm & Country Market, 2222 Valley Forge Road, Lansdale, PA 19446 – 610/584-4410 This dairy farm is packed with Holstein cattle and other farm animals, and does year round family programs in addition to a big pumpkin harvest festival. Don’t miss a scoop of their famous ice cream.
For family-friendly hotel ideas in the Philadelphia area, check out Family Travel Forum’s reviews. Here are the two top u-pick farms outside of Gettysburg, a fun family-friendly town with many interesting attractions and sites for kids.
Boyer Nurseries & Orchards, 405 Boyer Nursery Road, Biglerville, PA 17307 – 717/677-8558
Hollabaugh Brothers Fruit Farm, 545 Carlisle Road, Biglerville PA 17307 – 717/677-8412
Enjoy!
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