Where to Go Apple Picking Near Reading or North Reading

Ah, fall. 

Crisp air, cool nights, pumpkin-flavored everything and ripe red apples you can pick yourself. What's not to love?

Apple-picking season is in full swing in mid September, and it will last until the end of the crop, which is usually around early October.

There are several great apple orchards within an hour of Reading or North Reading where you can spend a lovely fall afternoon. Here are five places to go. If you've got a favorite place to pick apples, let us know in the comments section.

1) Smolak Farms (315 South Bradford Street, North Andover, MA)

• Hours: Apple picking is  8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Price: Call (978) 682-6332 for current pricing

One of the best farm experiences in the area, Smolak Farms has dozens of varieties of apples in addition to pumpkins, tomatoes and tons of other crops. There are also hay rides, farm animals, a classic car show, wagon rides and more. It has a farm stand, too.

2) Belkin Family Lookout Farm - (89 Pleasant St. South Natick, MA)

• Hours: Monday - Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Price: Admisison is $8 weekdays, $14 weekends.

Winning for its close proximity to the Boston area, Lookout Farm offers "U-pick" apple picking, where you can select the apples you want yourself, and an array of family and children's activities like pony rides and a farm-animal zoo. Check out their apple guide to see which apples you'll find in season when you go. 

3) Shelburne Farm - (106 West Acton Rd., Stow, MA)

• Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Price: No admission fee. Half-bushel, approx. 20 lbs., $26, One peck, approx. 10 lbs., $18.

Twenty miles west of Boston sits Shelburne Farm. It has 50 acres of apples and pumpkins you can pick yourself. For kids, there's a moon bounce, hay maze, hay mountain, pedal tractors, tractor play area, and pony rides, which costs $5. See the farm's schedule for weekly events and more. 

4) Westward Orchards (178 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard, MA)

• Hours: Apple picking is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Store is Wednesday to Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m and is closed on Tuesdays
• Price: Call (978) 456-8363 for current pricing

At Westward Orchards you can pick your own apples, pumpkins and blueberries (when they're in season). They also have cider donuts and a store where you can buy sandwiches to eat on the porch or lawn. Every Sunday they have live bluegrass music.

5) Russell Orchards and Farm (143 Argilla Rd., Ipswich, MA)

• Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Price: $3 weekdays, no admission on weekends. Cost is $15 for a 10 lb. bag of apples. 

Ipswich is a bit longer of a drive, but worth it if you're interested in apple wine, more than 25 varieties of applesand 120 acres of other farm-raised fresh fruits and vegetables. The wine counter is open for tastings every Friday from 3-5:30 p.m. and every weekend from 12:00-5:30 p.m., so plan accordingly. 

Where is your go-to apple picking farm close to Reading or North Reading? Tell us in the comments!