Whether you seek tranquility among rows of trees set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains or a farm where the kids can burn off fruit-fueled energy in corn mazes and on jumping pillows, these pick-your-own apple orchards are within 90 minutes of home.
Butler’s Orchard
Drive time: 45 minutes
With 23 types of fruit and veggies growing on this farm, you can find something to pick all year long. Apples are on the trees this month and next. Pay $3 online or $4 at the gate. Making a reservation guarantees access; walk-ins are welcome only if there is availability. When reserving your time slot, choose from three types of apple bags, which hold 3-12 pounds of the fruit and cost $10-$28 each, depending on the size. Admission includes the Farm Park (giant slides, a playground, farm animal fun), but it closes Sept. 16 for the Pumpkin Festival, which runs Sept. 21-Nov. 3. // 22222 Davis Mill Road, Germantown, Maryland
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Great Country Farms
Drive time: 1 hour
With so much to do on this 400-acre farm—two pumpkin jumping pillows, a cow train, putt putt, mazes, the farm ninja course and the new mega slide—visitors may need a reminder to head to the orchards. Apple picking is available daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. On the trees now are Honeycrisp, Gala, September Fuji, Ruby Jon and more. Apples cost $1.99 per pound plus the price of farm admission (starting at $12). The Fall Apple Harvest & Corn Maze is going on now through Sept. 30. Activities include a 1.5-acre corn maze and access to the 15-acre play area. On weekends, find live music, cider pressing demos and marshmallow roasts. First Responders Days—when emergency workers and their immediate families get free admission—are Sept. 7-15. Prefer to visit under the cover of night? Check out the Family Flashlight Corn Maze Nights schedule. // 34345 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont, Virginia
Hartland Orchard
Drive time: 1 hour
Apple picking started Labor Day weekend and continues through October at this family-owned working farm, which has plenty of varieties to choose from: Smokehouse, Greening, Stayman, Granny Smith and more. From Sept. 15-Nov. 5 apple cider is available, too. // 3064 Hartland Lane, Markham, Virginia
Hollin Farms
Drive time: 1 hour
Founded in the 1950s, this Blue Ridge Mountain farm has pick-your-own Wolf River, Empire, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Idared, Grimes Golden and Shizuka. Mix and match your batch for $20 per peck. While you’re there, you can also dig up your own potatoes for $1 per pound and snag other fall veggies, such as broccoli raab, arugula and mustard greens. Though it doesn’t offer bells and whistles (no playgrounds or animals), the farm does have a bakery that’s open on weekends selling apple cider doughnuts and other baked goods. //1524 Snowden Road, Delaplane, Virginia
Homestead Farm
Drive time: 50 minutes
Open seven days a week, Homestead Farm charges a $4 admission fee, plus $2.19 per-pound of apples that you pick. Fill a container with CrimsonCrisp and Jonagold. Stop by the market for some apple cider and veggies to take home, too, including tomatoes, okra, beets and kale. // 15604 Sugarland Road, Poolesville, Maryland
Larriland Farm
Drive time: 1 hour
Hey, hayride fans! On Saturdays and Sundays starting Sept. 21, take a 20-minute jaunt around the property for $4, passing through a stream and woods decorated with handcrafted storybook characters. Then head to the orchard to pick your apples. Autumn Crisp and Daybreak Fuji are available now, but the 50-year-old farm grows 26 varieties, so check the website for the latest info before you go. // 2415 Woodbine Road, Woodbine, Maryland
Mackintosh Fruit Farm
Drive time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
No reservations are necessary to pick Honeycrisp, Fuji and Queen’s Blush apples at this farm, which also has you-pick Asian pears, eggplant and herbs. Plan on some adults-only time in the Cider Room, which serves local hard ciders, wines, craft beers and appetizers (think charcuterie boards and pretzel bites). For something more family-friendly, the Mackintosh Farm Café has quiche, chicken pot pie, and pumpkin and apple cider doughnuts. In fact, this farm is the first stop on the 302-mile Virginia apple cider doughnut trail. //1608 Russell Road, Berryville
Marker-Miller Orchards Farm Market
Drive time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Ownership of this farm dates back three generations to 1908. In September and October, find 12 varieties of apples available for picking, including Yatika Fuji, Nittany, Red Delicious and Rome. Maybe plan to go Oct. 12 for the Apple Harvest Festival, when you can also get homemade apple cobbler, apple cider, apple pies, apple turnovers, apple pie ice cream and apple cider doughnuts. The event also promises live music, crafters and vendors in front of the farm market, and a cow train for taking a scenic ride around the farm. // 3035 Cedar Creek Grade, Winchester
Stribling Orchard
Drive time: 1 hour
This fall, the sixth generation of Stribling owners welcomes visitors Wednesdays to Sundays to pick Cortland, Greening, Jonathan, Empire and McIntosh apples. The cost is $2 per pound or $20 per bag. Bring a picnic or buy lunch at the Harvest House and Bakery on weekends, where you can grab a cup of fresh apple cider and a loaf of apple-cinnamon-raisin bread. //11587 Poverty Hollow Lane, Markham, Virginia