Apple Picking, Anyone? Here Are the Best Farms and Orchards Across the Country

Ah, autumn. After a long and sultry summer, is there anything more welcome than cool temperatures, bright blue skies, and festive fall activities? From leaf peeping to cheering on your local football team, pumpkin carving to whipping up a batch of hearty fall soup, autumn offers a wealth of pursuits sure to put a smile on your face. That especially goes for harvesting your favorite fruit at the best apple picking farms and orchards across the country. Because most varieties (including the best apples for apple pie!) ripen in September and October, they are the yummiest fall fruit around. But the fun doesn't stop when the apple picking is done! Many places that grow them offer plenty of other cool-weather adventures, too.

So, why not grab your family and head on out for a full day of fun at Middlefield Orchard in Cooperstown, New York? They deliver all kinds of extra autumnal delights, like hayrides, a corn maze, and a pumpkin patch. Or take a trip to Deal's Orchard in Jefferson, Iowa, which presents an annual Fall Festival with live music, a family fun zone, pony rides, and more! If you like them apples (sorry, we couldn't resist!), read on for the rest of the best apple picking places in the U.S.