The 3 Best Apple Orchards On Cape Cod For The 2025 Fall Season
Planning a quintessential New England fall trip to Cape Cod? While the Cape is famous for its beaches and summer crowds, the autumn season transforms the peninsula into a harvest haven, with the most sought-after activity being a visit to a local apple orchard. As of December 25, 2025, the buzz for the upcoming harvest is already building, and we have the latest details on the few, highly-prized U-Pick destinations that make apple picking on Cape Cod a truly unique experience.
Unlike the sprawling orchards of Western Massachusetts, the Cape’s farms are intimate, family-run, and often tucked away in historic towns like Sandwich and Falmouth, offering a charming coastal-meets-countryside backdrop. This exclusive guide pinpoints the three essential spots for the 2025 season, detailing everything from which varieties you can pick to where to find the absolute best cider donuts.
The Essential Cape Cod Apple Picking Guide for 2025
Apple picking season on Cape Cod officially kicks off in early September and runs through October, aligning perfectly with the region's crisp air and vibrant fall foliage. The best time to visit is typically from late September to mid-October, when the most popular varieties are ripe for picking and the farms are in full seasonal swing with corn mazes and pumpkin patches.
Here are the three must-visit PYO (Pick-Your-Own) apple destinations on the Cape:
1. Crow Farm: The Cape’s Premier Orchard Destination (Sandwich)
Crow Farm, located in the historic town of Sandwich, is widely considered the flagship apple-picking experience on Cape Cod, known for its sheer variety and full-scale fall activities. This 50-acre family farm offers more than just a bushel of fruit—it’s a complete harvest festival experience.
Farm Profile & Seasonal Highlights
- Location: Sandwich, MA (just off Route 6A).
- 2025 Season Start: Apple picking and the corn maze typically open the weekend of September 13th or 14th.
- The Orchard: Crow Farm cultivates over 30 different apple varieties, ensuring there is a perfect apple for every taste, whether you are baking a pie, making fresh cider, or simply snacking.
- Must-Try Varieties: While the full list of 30+ varieties changes based on ripeness, visitors can expect classic New England staples like McIntosh, Cortland, and Macoun, alongside popular modern varieties like Honeycrisp (check their website for the daily picking schedule).
Beyond the Bushel: The Crow Farm Experience
A trip to Crow Farm is incomplete without indulging in their famous baked goods. The farm stand is legendary for its fresh-baked cider donuts, which are often cited as the best on the Cape.
- Hayrides: The farm offers hayrides that take visitors up the bumpy route past cornfields and pine trees directly to the apple orchards.
- Corn Maze & Pumpkins: A massive corn maze and an expansive pumpkin patch for pumpkin picking are open concurrently with the apple season, making it a perfect day trip for families.
- Farm Stand: Beyond apples and donuts, the stand sells fresh-pressed apple cider, local honey, and other seasonal produce and gourds.
2. Tony Andrews Farm: The East Falmouth Local Favorite
Tony Andrews Farm in East Falmouth is another reliable and cherished destination for PYO apples, offering a more rustic, classic farm feel. Known for its community focus and a variety of seasonal harvests, it is a staple of the Upper Cape’s agricultural scene.
Farm Profile & Seasonal Highlights
- Location: East Falmouth, MA (394 Old Meetinghouse Road).
- 2025 Season Start: The farm typically begins its apple-picking season around the weekend of September 14th, running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.
- The Orchard: The orchard is a central feature of the farm, and they often host a special "Apple Day" event to celebrate the harvest.
- PYO Crops: While apples are the main draw in the fall, Tony Andrews Farm also offers PYO for other crops like strawberries and berries earlier in the year.
Tips for Visiting Tony Andrews Farm
The farm is known for its friendly, family atmosphere. Visitors should enter at Berry Patch Lane and note the 5 MPH speed limit on the farm roads. The farm stand here is also a great place to pick up farm-fresh vegetables and other local goods to complement your freshly picked apples.
3. Coonamessett Farm: The Membership-Based PYO Experience (Falmouth)
Coonamessett Farm offers a slightly different model for apple picking on Cape Cod, operating as a membership-based PYO farm. Located in East Falmouth, this farm provides a consistent supply of hand-grown food to its community members, though non-members can often visit for a fee.
Farm Profile & Seasonal Highlights
- Location: East Falmouth, MA (277 Hatchville Road).
- The Orchard: Coonamessett Farm features a dedicated apple orchard as part of its diverse PYO offerings, which also include a blueberry field and a wide variety of salad greens and vegetables.
- Membership Model: Visitors should check the farm’s current policy for the 2025 season. While PYO is primarily for members, day passes or non-member picking options are sometimes available for specific crops like apples.
- Other Amenities: The farm also operates a retail garden center and is known for its wide selection of fresh produce. Note that the farm typically closes for the winter season and re-opens in the spring of 2026.
Maximizing Your Cape Cod Harvest Trip: LSI Keywords & Activities
A visit to a Cape Cod apple orchard is often the centerpiece of a larger autumnal itinerary. To build topical authority and fully embrace the harvest season, consider integrating these related activities and entities into your trip.
Pairing Apples with Cape Cod Fall Festivals
The fall season on Cape Cod is packed with cozy festivals, offering a perfect complement to a day of apple picking.
- Cranberry Harvest: September and October are also peak season for the cranberry harvest. Many local bogs offer tours or viewing opportunities, which is a quintessential New England experience and a great LSI keyword pairing with apples.
- Wellfleet OysterFest: While the date varies, this major fall festival, typically held the weekend after Columbus Day, draws large crowds and is a key event for the Outer Cape.
- Scenic Drives: The lack of crowds later in the season (late September through November) makes for beautiful scenic drives with mild weather and stunning fall colors, particularly along Route 6A near the Sandwich orchards.
Essential Apple Picking Tips
To ensure a successful and enjoyable day at the orchard, keep these U-Pick tips in mind:
- Call Ahead: Always check the farm’s website or call for the most current PYO conditions, as apple varieties ripen at different times and picking availability can change daily.
- Bring Cash: While many farms accept credit cards, cash can speed up transactions at farm stands for small purchases like cider donuts and gourds.
- Dress Appropriately: Orchards can be muddy, especially after rain. Wear comfortable shoes that can handle uneven or damp ground, and bring a light jacket for the crisp New England air.
The intimate and historic nature of the apple orchards on Cape Cod makes for a charming, less crowded, and deeply satisfying fall experience. Whether you’re hunting for the perfect Honeycrisp at Crow Farm or enjoying the local vibe at Tony Andrews, the 2025 season promises an abundance of fruit and memorable autumnal moments.
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