There’s just something special about visiting a fall farm. The pumpkin patches, fresh picked fruit, apple cider donuts, and the overall atmosphere are the best to experience, especially during the fall. Every farm I’ve been to has offered a unique, memorable, and enjoyable experience. Not to mention the fresh-picked, locally-grown produce I’ve been lucky enough to get my hands on!
Massachusetts has a ton of farms. As someone who really enjoys knowing where my local produce comes from, I love that there are so many great homesteads around. Even if you’re not all that curious about where your food comes from, there’s no denying the deliciousness of fresh produce and fresh-baked goodies offered on these farms.
Many local farms offer more than just edible delights. There are dozens of activities to partake in, all year round. If you’re curious about where you can get in on the fun, I’m sharing a round-up of the best farms you can go to without leaving the state. And if you’re in need of nearby accommodations, be sure to check out my roundup of the best hotels in Massachusetts.
15 Best Farms In Massachusetts
Makepeace Farms, Wareham
Makepeace Farms is a gorgeous cranberry farm in the Wareham countryside. You can tour the farm and learn all about how cranberries are grown and made into various cranberry products, then enjoy a meal at the cafe. The cafe at Makepeace Farms offers organic coffee sourced from Uganda and their customer-favorite Thanksgiving Sandwich. Swing by the gift shop for fun trinkets before you leave!
Also, before you visit Makepeace Farms, register for a Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association cranberry bog tour. The Farm is open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday 10 AM to 3 PM.
Click here for directions to Makepeace Farms.
Cider Hill Farm, Amesbury
Cider Hill Farm is one of the most popular family farms in Massachusetts. You’ll love the opportunity to pick your own fruit. This family-run farm offers the chance to pick your own strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, apples, pears, pumpkins, plums, peaches, and nectarines.
From May through November, you can also enjoy unpasteurized cider and warm cider donuts. The Farm Store is open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM.
Click here for directions to Cider Hill Farm.
Davis Farmland, Sterling
Davis Farmland is a beloved family-run farm in Sterling that offers fun for the whole family. You can interact with the farm animals and go on pony and hay rides. There’s also a huge corn stalk maze with over three miles of pathways. And that’s just the beginning.
You can easily spend a full day at Davis Farmland. Adventureland on the farm includes an 80-foot slide, go-karts, scooters, plenty of playground equipment, and more. Imagineacres offers the opportunity for sand and water play, as well as a Jumbo Jump Pad for bouncing, Baby and Me Swings, play structures, and Toddler Play.
There’s also a state-of-the-art, zero-depth water spray park to keep you cool in the summer!
Click here to purchase tickets to Davis Farmland. Click here for directions to Davis Farmland.
Lookout Farm, South Natick
Lookout Farm in South Natick is a popular spot in the Boston area for peach picking. There’s nothing like a fresh-picked peach!
You can also take advantage of the on-site brewery and cidery where you can taste farm-fresh hard cider and beer. Leave plenty of time during your visit for The Greenhouse. This top-rated restaurant serves up some delectable honey butter fried chicken sandwiches, chicken pot pie, and incredible desserts.
Click here for directions to Lookout Farm.
Brooksby Farm, Peabody
There’s so much to see and do at Brooksby Farm in Peabody! You can pick your own fruits when in season. You can also enjoy the play yard, pet and feed the barnyard animals, cut your own flower bouquet, and so much more.
Brooksby Farm is extra special in the fall. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the Fairytale Trail, hayrides, and the campfire with smores.
Click here for directions to Brooksby Farms.
Tougas Family Farm, Northborough
Tougas Family Farm is another beloved Massachusetts farm that is especially popular in the fall. People have been flocking to this Northborough spot since 1981. There are plenty of fresh-picked apples and pumpkins to go around. There are handfuls of fall goodies in the farm store too.
After you pick your favorite fruit or vegetable, head to the Tougas Farm Kitchen for a mouth-wateringly delicious apple cider donut, a slice of pie, ice cream, and more. Stop by and say hello to the goats, sheep, and other barnyard animals before you head out!
Click here for directions to Tougas Family Farm.
Parlee Farms, Tyngsborough
Parlee Farms in Tyngsborough has been growing and operating since 1987. At Parlee farms, visitors can pick their own fruits and flowers, and can grab a delicious bite to eat after a day of adventuring. U-pick fruits include apples, blueberries, cherries, peaches, pumpkins, and strawberries.
What I love most about Parlee Farms, though, is the food selection. Aside from what you pick, you can enjoy a meal at Mary’s Country Kitchen (anytime) or the on-site food truck (weekends only). Be sure to try their famous apple cider donuts and other desserts at the on-property bakery. YUM!
Click here for directions to Parlee Farms.
Kimball Farm, Carlisle
Kimball Farm in Carlisle is the place to be for incredible homemade ice cream. In addition to its life-changing dessert offering, Kimball Farm also has a country store, driving range, bumper boats, and a 36-hole mini-golf course. Of course, these amenities are best enjoyed in the summer and fall, but the country store is open year-round.
Click here for directions to Kimball Farm.
Sholan Farms, Leominster
Sholan Farms is a 169-acre farm in Leominster that is best known for its apples, blueberries, and raspberries. Their apples are definitely the star of the show, though. They produce over 20 different kinds of apples throughout the season!
Walk the trails of Sholan Farms and taste several different varieties of fresh-picked apples.
Click here for directions to Sholan Farms.
Atkins Farms, Amherst
The folks at Atkins Farms know apples. For over 100 years, Atkins Farms has been growing apples in their orchards with gorgeous views of the Holyoke mountains in the beautiful Pioneer Valley.
In addition to tasty fresh-picked apples, treat yourself to handmade apple cider donuts from the country food market. Be sure to check out their fresh flowers and produce too.
Click here for directions to Atkins Farms.
Smolak Farms, North Andover
Smolak Farms in North Andover is an incredible homestead with so much to check out. The Smolak Farm Bakery has been churning out pies, muffins, and donuts, like their incredible cider donuts, since 1985.
The Greenhouse was built in 1992. A few plants grow there, but more than anything, it’s a special place for enjoying a cup of coffee and a fresh-baked treat. In 2004, the ice cream stand was added and it’s been a popular spot ever since. Nowadays, you can come for the same reasons, as well as festivals, educational tours, hayrides, and so much more.
Click here for directions to Smolak Farms.
Ingaldsby Farm, Boxford
Ingaldsby Farm in Boxford is a family-owned and operated, working farm since 1911. It offers an authentic New England farm experience that includes delicious cider donuts and fresh-picked fruits and vegetables.
In the fall, Ingaldsby Farm offers pumpkins, mums, and fall decorations for purchase. During the holidays you can swing by the farm and grab a fresh-baked turkey and pie.
Click here for directions to Ingaldsby Farm.
Shelburne Farm, Stow
Just a 20-mile drive from Boston, Shelburne Farm is the oldest pick-your-own apple orchard in eastern Massachusetts. It is consistently voted the best farm in the region, thanks to its remarkable ability to offer authentic New England farming traditions.
The orchard at Shelburne Farm is full of more than two dozen apple varieties, as well as more than 20 varieties of yellow and white peaches, several types of Asian pears, and pumpkins as far as the eye can see.
During your time on the farm, you can also enjoy hay rides, pedal tractors, a tractor playground, a moon bounce, a barnyard full of animals, and live music on harvest weekends. You can also partake in traditions like Morris Dancing and manual pressing cider during the harvest.
Click here for directions to Shelburne Farm.
Clarkdale Farm, Deerfield
Clarkdale Farm in Deerfield is a beautiful, fourth-generation fruit farm. This farm isn’t open year-round like many of the other farms on this list, but it’s worth visiting during the harvest. They still have apple varieties growing from the trees planted by the first generation in 1915!
Clarkdale Farm will re-open in July with fresh-picked peaches and you’re going to want to be there! If you’re not a fan of peaches, they also harvest over 100 varieties of apples, plums, pears, cherries, and grapes from August through October. They press their own sweet apple cider too!
Click here for directions to Clarkdale Farm.
Appleton Farms, Ipswich
Appleton Farms is a great place to go if you’re looking for more than just fruits and vegetables. At this family-friendly farm in Ipswich, kids can learn about making cheese, how to milk a cow, where maple syrup comes from, and more. You can also pay a visit to the Jersey cows, pigs, goats, sheep, and chickens.
Stay and enjoy a picnic. And, of course, browse their impressive selection of fruits, vegetables, and other plants available for purchase.
Click here for directions to Appleton Farms.
Massachusetts is home to beautiful farms with delicious fresh-picked produce and enough fun for the whole family.
There are farms all over the state of Massachusetts. Each one is different from the rest. No matter the season or your preference for produce, you’re sure to find a farm that you’ll want to visit time and time again. In the meantime, exploring them all is a great way to spend time with friends and family.
For more insight into all that New England has to offer, including travel guides, the best ski resorts, and hotel reviews, check out my blog. And while you’re in Massachusetts, be sure to check out Main Street in Nantucket – it’s one of the most beautiful main streets in America.