Waters Orchard, Germantown, Maryland
There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles at this pretty family farm in Germantown,
which focuses solely on apples — 16 varieties of them — between September and
November. It’s all about the fresh air, country beauty, family fun … and tractor
rides. Be sure to check the website ahead of time to see which apples are ready
for picking. An added perk is the nearby Doc Waters Cidery, where you and your
family can sip apple juices (and hard ciders) produced from the orchard’s apples.

Snacks and food trucks are available, or bring your own picnic.

watersorchard.com No admission fee, but pay for an empty bag upon arriving that you will fill with your
choice of apples. Cash only. Closed Monday-Thursday.

Great Country Farms, Bluemont, Virginia
This super picturesque farm in Loudoun County offers a variety of fruit picking
spring through fall, but come September into early October, it’s all about the
apples — more than 40 different kinds of them. And here’s an interesting fact:
all of their trees are dwarf trees, making picking easy even for the little ones.

The Corn Maze and Apple Harvest festival happens throughout September, with
additional activities on weekends, including marshmallow roasting, cider press
demonstrations and live family-friendly music. The farm’s newest addition is
Henway Hard Cider Company, producing hard ciders from orchard apples and
offering al fresco dining and cider-sipping by a placid pond.

greatcountryfarms.com Tickets are $10/child and $12/adult on weekdays, and $14/child and $16/adult on
weekends. Open daily. Advance tickets are recommended on weekends.

Crooked Run Orchard, Purcellville, Virginia
The Brown family has tended this vegetable and fruit farm in Loudoun
County for 250-plus years, with apples one of its mainstays (some of the
trees date back to 1760!). A minimal amount of chemicals is used in the
growing process, making this a healthy choice. You and your kids will love
hanging out with farm animals, walking the nature trail and lingering over
lunch at one of the picnic tables (BYO picnic basket). Check the Facebook
page for current offerings, or call 540-338-6642.

facebook.com/CrookedRunOrchard/ No ticket price or reservations needed, but it is cash only for the crops. Closed
Monday-Thursday. PHILIP STEUR / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
West Oaks Farm & Market, Winchester, Virginia
Virginia is the nation’s sixth largest producer of apples, with the
Shenandoah Valley being the epicenter, and this 200-acre Frederick
County farm has been in the Snapp family for 10 generations— since
the early 1700s! They began selling produce 15 years ago, with the farm
market opening in 2018. Last year apple picking was added to the mix,
meaning this pick-your-own experience is likely to be less crowded than
others, since word is just getting out. Ten varieties of apples are grown,
with the most popular being Honeycrisp. There’s also a corn maze with
3 miles of paths and live music events on the weekends.

westoaksfarm-market.com No ticket price or reservations needed. Open daily.

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