Guide to Ohio’s Best Apple Orchards

Ohio’s apple orchards are full with rewarding fall experiences for travelers looking for both fresh produce and ways to make new family memories. The orchards across the state boast diverse apple varieties, and many have charming farm markets and seasonal activities scheduled as autumn takes hold. Whether you’re picking your own apples or enjoying fresh cider, the state has plenty of places to do so, including these 15 spots that have become favorites among the locals who know them best. Embrace apple season in Ohio this fall, and immerse yourself in the joy of fresh air, the warmth of family fun and the bounty of our state’s plentiful orchards. 

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Editor’s Note: This guide was originally published in 2018, but was most recently checked in September 2024 to ensure that each orchard was still open. Interviews for this story were conducted in 2018 and include a comment from Laurelville Fruit Farm owner Bob Bowers, who passed away in 2022. 

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NORTHEAST 

Brant’s Apple Orchard, Ashtabula
Brant’s Apple Orchard was a destination for Brian and Jennifer Diehl when they were dating, so the couple purchased the property in 2014 as an investment after spending a year learning the business. “We didn’t know anything about apples,” confesses Jennifer, “but our operating manager knows everything.” After buying the place, they also planted four additional varieties — Daybreak Fuji, Evercrisp, Crimson Gala and Premiere Honeycrisp — bringing the number of apple varieties the orchard grows to 27. The main building houses a bakery, farmers market, sorting room and an 1895 Boomer & Boschert press used to make unpasteurized cider. Open from August until the day before Thanksgiving, the orchard also offers hayrides, a children’s playground and walking trails. Visit website for hours of operation. 4749 Dibble Rd., Ashtabula 44004, 440/224-0639, brantsappleorchard.com

Patterson Fruit Farm, Chesterland
Yes, Patterson Fruit Farm is an orchard, but it’s also an amusement park for young children. During the annual Family Fun Fest, which runs mid-September through October, there’s a treehouse, a corn maze, 50-foot slides and more. “We hope to make memories here. We have been here a long time. The original farm was started in 1826,” says owner Jim Patterson. “People who came here as children are now bringing their children and grandchildren.” The farm offers 25 apple varieties, which it sells as U-pick or in its retail space. Visit website for hours of operation and other updates to annual activities/11414 Caves Rd., Chesterland 44026 (Fun Fest address: 8765 Mulberry Rd., Chesterland 44026), 440/729-1964, pattersonfarm.com

Pick n’ Save Orchard, Medina
In 1890, orchard owner Lynn Van Deusen’s grandfather bought an apple farm. When he offered each of his children $400 or an acre of land, Van Deusen’s father was the only one to take the acre, eventually acquiring the rest. Today, Pick n’ Save Orchard grows 15 apple varieties at the all-U-pick operation, including its bestseller, Melrose. “We also have Winesap, an antique variety,” says Lynn Van Deusen. “Folks who know what it is will whisper to me, ‘When do you think they will be ready?’ They don’t want others to know.” The orchard also sells pumpkins, cider, jams and more goodies. A reservation is needed for Pick Your Own weekends. Visit website for hours of operation. 1222 Ledge Rd., Medina 44256, 330/239-1480, picknsaveorchard.com

NORTHWEST

Burnham Orchards, Berlin Heights
Burnham Orchards, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2015, predated Erie County by 23 years and was originally part of the Firelands of the Connecticut Western Reserve, property given to those whose homes had been burned by the British during the American Revolution. The farm continues today, growing peaches, blackberries, raspberries, plums, pears, squash, pumpkins, nectarines and 27 varieties of apples. Visitors can pick their own apples in September and October. In addition to the orchard and farm store, there’s an on-site bakery serving coffeecakes, pies and cookies. During the fall, it’s also known for its pumpkin and apple cider flavored doughnuts. Apple fritters and a cider house were added in 2014. Apples grown in the orchard are also fermented for use in hard cider that’s that can be enjoyed in the on-site taproom. 8019 St. Rte. 113 E., Berlin Heights 44814, 419/588-2138, burnhamorchards.com

Hoen’s Orchard, Delta
For four generations, the Hoen family has been selling produce in the Toledo area, first in Holland and, since 2004, at Hoen’s Orchard’s current location in the Fulton County village of Delta. Owned by Toni and Mike Hoen, the 6.2-acre farm offers around 20 varieties of apples, and September and October are the best time for apple pickers to visit. (It’s also a popular time for pumpkin picking, which is another option here). The Hoens also grow tomatoes and peppers. Visit website for hours of operation. 12540 County Rd. 7-2, Delta 43515, 419/822-4080, hoensorchard.com

MacQueen’s Orchards, Holland
Nothing says fall like a trip to the apple farm, but MacQueen’s Orchards always has the holidays on the brain. A former barn has been turned into the orchard’s year-round Christmas shop, stocked with decorations, trees and animated figures. The fourth-generation, 175-acre farm grows 18 varieties of pick-your-own apples, with the most popular variety being Honeycrisp, according to owner Marlene MacQueen. In addition to peaches and fresh vegetables, the place also sells cider. “You can watch the cider being made from inside the market,” MacQueen says. Visit website for hours of operation. 7605 Garden Rd., Holland 43528, 419/865-2916, macqueenorchards.com

RELATED: Quarry Hill Orchards’ Market Barn

SOUTHEAST

Hidden Hills Orchard, Marietta
One of southeast Ohio’s few pick-your-own apple spots, Hidden Hills Orchard’s Tom and Cathy Burch grow apples on 7 acres surrounding their 1895 home. “Owning an orchard is a dream come true for my husband,” says Cathy. “He grew up beside one, and he worked there as his first job. Ever since I met him, he planned to own his own.” Visitors are greeted with friendly smiles and hellos as they head into the orchard’s store, and, traditionally, they can taste-test the apples that are currently available for picking before selecting the size of bag they want to fill and head out to the trees. Around 22 apple varieties are available throughout the season, with about two varieties of apples available to be picked by visitors on any given weekend, depending on what is ripe. Visit website for hours of operation. 5680 St. Rte. 26, Marietta 45750, 740/376-9170, hiddenhillsorchard.com

Laurelville Fruit Farm, Laurelville
Located about an hour’s drive southeast of Columbus, Laurelville Fruit Farm has been in the Bowers family for more than a century. The 35-acre orchard with more than a dozen varieties of apple trees supplies the family’s cozy country store. “We’re a good old family business,” the late Bob Bowers, a third-generation fruit farmer, told us in 2018. “We try to meet everyone who comes in and give them a good product to take back home with them.” This place is known for its quality apple cider, which is also available in a slush form. Call for operating hours. 16181 Pike St., Laurelville 43135, 740/332-2621, facebook.com/laurelvillefruitfarm

Hirsch Fruit Farm & Market, Chillicothe
Nestled among rolling hills, this roadside store sells 25 apple varieties, as well as other apple products such as butter, preserves, cider and apple rings. Apple lovers can order signature gift boxes that can be customized and shipped to recipients. Business is conducted within the store itself, but for one weekend a year in late September, the 40-acre orchard is open to the public during Hirsch’s Apple Harvest Open House (Sept. 20 and 21 this year). The event, features apple picking, apple-butter-making, apple- and cider-tasting and other fall activities. Visit Facebook page for hours. 41 Seney Rd., Chillicothe 45601, 740/775-1037, facebook.com/hirschfruitfarm

RELATED: Hocking Hills Orchard in Logan

SOUTHWEST

Peifer Orchards, Yellow Springs
Sunflowers unfold along U.S. Route 68 near downtown Yellow Springs each September. The Whitehall Farm sunflower field is a popular autumn attraction. It also provides a landmark for another fall favorite found directly across the street: Peifer Orchards. Family-owned and -operated, Peifer Orchards offers 25 varieties of apples. “It was a 200-tree hobby that exploded into a business,” says John Peifer, who was running a remodeling company before the orchard became a 3,000-tree operation. Offering baked goods, jams, preserves, honey and maple syrup at his farm market, Peifer is committed to supporting the regional economy. Ninety percent of what is sold at his store is produced within a 60-mile radius of Yellow Springs. But Peifer’s most popular offering is made in-house — on a small press. “Our apple cider is handcrafted, one small batch at a time,” he says. Visit website for hours of operation. 4590 U.S. Rte. 68, Yellow Springs 45387, 937/767-2208, peiferorchards.com

A&M Farm Orchard, Midland
“Never think you know it all,” advises Howard Adae, who owns and operates the 32-acre A&M Farm Orchard with his wife, Cynthia. “Every year is different.” For Adae, all of his life has been spent on his family’s farm near Midland. Founded in 1942 by Adae’s father and grandmother, A&M Family Orchard offers more than a dozen varieties of apples, but it grows blueberries, pears and pumpkins as well. Adae’s son, daughter and 10 grandchildren all live near the farm, many of them lending a hand. “I have a couple grandsons who are showing interest,” Adae told us in 2018. Call for hours of operation. 22141 St. Rte. 251, Midland 45148, 513/875-2500

Nana’s Orchard, Urbana
For more than 30 years, Phil Louden, a former U.S. Air Force colonel, operated Louden Family Orchard before selling his property to Elizabeth Fernandez and Clyde John Kranz, who reopened as Nana’s Orchard in August 2017. “The apple orchard came up on a listing,” Kranz says. “We thought, ‘Well, that might be fun.’ We got thrown right into apple season.” Nana’s Orchard grows around 20 varieties of apples on its 7-acre property. Visit website for hours of operation; 576 N. St. Rte. 560, Urbana 43078, 646/872-4482, nanasorchard.com 

CENTRAL

Lynd Fruit Farm, Pataskala
Lynd Fruit Farm welcomes patrons every year to enjoy the U-Pick options that start up around the beginning of September. Co-owner Andy Lynd is quick to proclaim Honeycrisp the most popular apple he sells, and the farm has more than 15,000 Honeycrisp trees to accommodate the high demand. “Originally, my grandfather and uncles only wanted to do wholesale,” explains Lynd, “but after my father saw in the faces of his friend’s daughters the pure joy of picking apples in an orchard, he said, ‘We need to do this.’ ” Lynd Fruit Farm covers 500 acres, but you won’t have to worry about trekking far and wide for your apples. The staff here has their U-pick experience down to a science, with customers pulling up near the rows of apples that are ripe among their 17 varieties. Visit website for hours of operation. 9393 Morse Rd. SW, Pataskala 43062, 740/927-8559, lyndfruitfarm.com

Legend Hills Orchard, Utica
Co-owners and -operators Richard Hoar, Douglass Hoar and Susan Hatch invite visitors to buy homegrown apples at their family’s 340-acre Licking County orchard starting in July and running through the end of October. Over the years, the orchard has worked to maintain favorite apple varieties such as Winesap, Honeycrisp and Paula Red. Besides picking from the 23 types of apples, the country store is open year-round, offering home decor goods such as rocking chairs and swings. Visit website for hours of operation.11335 Reynolds Rd., Utica 43080, 740/892-2498, legendhillsorchard.com

Lawrence Orchards, Marion
Since 1921, Lawrence Orchards has provided Marion County apple lovers with great U-pick options. Visitors can stroll the winding orchard paths, as they ponder what they’ll take home with them from among the 37 acres. Home to 27 types of apples, including varieties such as Honeycrisp and Melrose, Lawrence Orchards offers a wide range of choices throughout the season. Applefest arrives each year the last Saturday in September, with wagon rides, a hay maze and more. Visit website for hours of operation. 2634 Smeltzer Rd., Marion 43302, 740/389-3019, lawrenceorchards.com

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