SHELTON-DERBY, CT — Fall doesn’t officially start until the autumnal equinox on Monday, Sept. 22, but the season is already underway at Shelton and Derby's apple orchards.
There are plenty of activities at these fall attractions to appeal to all ages, especially kids.
Patch has compiled a list of some of the best apple orchards and family-friendly fall attractions in and around Shelton and Derby. Before you go, be sure to call ahead or check the orchard’s website to clarify hours of operation or to check for the availability of apples.
Season dates: September - December
Hours: Saturdays and Sundays beginning Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"Blue Jay Orchards is a 122+ acre orchard with over 8,000 producing trees, and 20+ apple varieties. Blue Jay Orchards farm is nestled just in Northern Fairfield county."
Address: 124 Moose Hill Road, Oxford
Season dates: September - December
Hours: Weekends, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"On our small, yet beautiful farm, we have a wide assortment of products."
Address: 278 Leavenworth Road, Route 110, White Hills section of Shelton
Season dates: September - December
Hours: Weekends beginning Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
"Beardsley’s have been farming here in the White Hills section of Shelton since 1849. We have re-planted thousands of dwarf apple trees in our fields for our Pick-Your-Own orchard."
Address: 451 Sport Hill Road, Easton
Season dates: To be determined, September - December
Hours: Once the season starts, open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"THINGS ARE GROWING! FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR UPDATES ON OUR UPCOMING SEASON AND PICK YOUR OWN START DATES!"
Address: 105 South St., Middlefield
Season dates: September - December
Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
"For more than 280 years, Lyman Orchards has been farming right here in Middlefield, Connecticut, and this year, we were honored to be named Best Pick-Your-Own Farm in Connecticut by 'Connecticut Magazine.' Every fall, our hills come alive with visitors from far and wide picking crisp, juicy apples while taking in our scenic orchard views."
Address: 480 New England Road, Guilford
Season dates: Late August - Late October
Hours: "Call [the] PICK line in season for daily updates, hours, and locations. 203-458-PICK"
"Bishop’s Orchards Guilford Pick-Your-Own Orchards are located at multiple fields. Please visit our Pick Your Own page for locations."
The following orchards and farms are a little farther away from Shelton and Derby, but would make for a great day trip:
Address: 160 Munger Lane, Bethlehem
Season dates: Sept. 5 - October
Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"Pick Your Own Apples typically begins the first weekend of September from the Farm Store Orchard with varieties including Cortland, Gala, Honey Crisp & Macintosh. Picking from the Hill Top Orchard begins mid-September and continues through October with varieties including Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Jonagold, Macintosh, Macoun, Mutsu, Red Delicious & Rome."
Address: 251 Wallingford Road, Cheshire
Season dates: September - Mid-November
Hours: Open six days a week (closed Tuesdays), 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"Pick your own is subject to 5lbs per person minimum. Pets are not allowed."
Address: 483 Matson Hill Road, South Glastonbury
Season dates: Open now to late October
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"Step out into the beauty of our orchards for a picturesque afternoon in our Pick-Your-Own fields from mid-June to late October. Our farm is famous for our pick-your-own apples, offering over 24 varieties!"
Address: 33 Branford Road, North Branford
Season dates: Mid-August to Mid-October
Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Corn mazes and pumpkin patches are also open or will open soon.
This should be a good year for apple picking, according to the 2025 forecast from the U.S. Apple Association, which estimates the harvest will be 6 percent higher than in 2024, for a total of 273 million bushels.
That estimate is based on USDA data from the top seven apple-producing states — respectively, Washington, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, Oregon and Virginia. When other states are considered, total production could be as much as 290 million bushels, the industry trade group said.