It’s one of best things about autumn… apple picking! If you’re looking for a fun weekend activity, these orchards and farms – all within driving distance – are the perfect place to spend an afternoon picking your own apples, right off the tree.
Triple B Farms
Monongahela
Monogahela’s Triple B Farms opens its orchard to customers every year for pick-your-own apples. The orchard is currently open for picking on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and they offer a number of different varieties, which change weekly due to ripening and weather changes. Triple B grows Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Fuji, Gala, Mutsu, Cameo and more. Plus, the farm also has hayrides, a corn maze, and fun activities for kids of all ages during their Fall Fun weekends, which opens September 23, 2023.
Triple B Farms (823 Berry Lane, Monongahela)
Soergel Orchards
Wexford
Pick-Your-Own apples at Soergel Orchards takes place every Saturday and Sunday during their Fall Festivals, which runs every weekend starting September 16, 2023. Not only will you be able to pick more than a dozen varieties of apples (depending on ripening), but you can also enjoy hayrides, pumpkin picking, kettle corn, face painting, games, and a lot more.
Soergel Orchards (2573 Brandt School Road)
Simmons Farm
McMurray
Simmons Farm in McMurray is currently open for pick-your-own apples daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Depending on the time during the season, they’ll have up to a dozen apple varieties available for the picking, like Gala, Honey Crisp, Yellow Delicious, Ida Red, and plenty more in their expansive orchards. Their annual fall activities, including hayrides, flower picking, and games, starts September 16, 2023. And whatever you do, don’t forget to bring home one of their fresh-baked pies while you’re there!
Simmons Farm (170 Simmons Road, McMurray)
Shenot Farm
Wexford
Shenot Farm operates on more than 100 acres of farmland, with fruit, vegetables, and a full retail market. Every year, the farm opens on Saturdays and Sundays (from 10:00 a.m., until 4:00 p.m.) for pick-your-own apples, with varieties like Gala, Jonathan, and Honeycrisp. Check out their Instagram page for the latest updates from the farm, including what varieties are currently available. Also, definitely pick up some of their own apple cider while you’re there, too.
Shenot Farm (3754 Wexford Run Road, Wexford)
Norman’s Orchards
Tarentum
Founded in 1958, Norman’s Orchards in Tarentum has been a Pittsburgh favorite for more than 50 years. The Orchards grow apples, cherries, grapes, pears and berries, and during the Fall season offer you-pick-apples. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for regular updates about what apples are available for picking, from Red Delicious and Jonathan to Northern Spy and Macintosh. Picking hours are from Wednesday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Early in the season, they also offer pear-picking. Before you leave, make sure to take home a gallon of their fresh-pressed cider, too. And remember – Norman’s Orchards is cash-only.
Norman’s Orchards (2318 Butler Logan Rd, Tarentum)
Half Crown Hill Orchard
McDonald
Although it was a difficult season due to frost damage in the spring, Half Crown Hill Orchard in McDonald is open for the 2023 season. They’re currently open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with Honey Crips, Ginger Gold, Cortland, and more apple varieties available, and will keep their website updated with what apples are available for picking over the next few weekends. The orchard grows varieties like Ginger Gold, Gala and Macintosh, and they also have an apple slingshot (!), giant bubbles, jams and jellies, ad honey from their own bees.
Half Crown Hill Orchard (600 N. Branch Rd. McDonald)
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