The only thing that makes up for the departure of our favorite summer ingredients — tomatoes, corn, and the like — is the bounty that autumn brings. Colorful, savory, and rich, we love what the season produces, and there are endless foods to taste the fall season, in all its glory.
Apples are what first come to mind when thinking about Rhode Island’s favorite fall fare …
So, let’s put the Ocean State’s popular summer foods on the back burner, and dive into what’s easily accessible and abundant throughout the next several months.
If you are a native Rhode Islander, you are likely aware that it has numerous farms, with an endless number of perfect, crisp, and juicy apples, along with many other yummy foods.
Apple picking is a super fun activity for the whole family, to enjoy during the fall. Rhode Island has many orchards that not only offer apple picking, but also offer other fun activities that families will love.
Oh, how I miss the September days when my husband and I would take the children on glorious days filled with hayrides, exploring pumpkin patches and corn mazes, and topping it off with visiting family-friendly fall festivals.
Our family looked forward to September for apple picking and doing fall activities as a family, so these were experiences we participated in each and every year. And, it wasn’t just our family that enjoyed these excursions; there were at least four other families who came along, making it a favorite annual tradition, and one that I’m sure the children will continue, as they grow their own families.
Rhode Island is home to a variety of apple orchards, farms, pick-your-own spots, and farm stands. From a quaint, historic farm in Cranston, to an expansive orchard in Coventry, and with options to pick-your-own apples, blueberries, peaches and more, there’s a favorite experience for everyone.
Spend some fun time at one or more of the below farms, and you and your family are bound to find enjoyment in their abundant products & activities.
Appleland Orchards
135 Smith Avenue
Greenville, RI 02828
(401) 949-3690
Appleland Orchards is the place to go if you want to skip the picking, and go straight to wandering through beautiful fall themed decorations and pumpkin patches. All while grabbing some natural cider, plump cider donuts, and delicious candied apples and pie.
You can pick your own apples, or purchase apples, including Paula Red, Ginger Gold, Gala, McIntosh, Cortland, Honeycrisp, Macoun, Empire, Mutsu (Crispin), Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious.
Fall tasty treats range from their Farmer Joe’s freshly squeezed cider, to Mary Lou’s classic hot apple cider donuts. Plus apple wine, fall decorations, and more delights, are available for every family member.
Dame Farm & Orchards
HOURS: Mon – Fri 9-5:30 and Sat 9 – 5.
Not open Sundays
91B Brown Ave.
Johnston, RI 02919
(401) 949-3657
Dame Farm & Orchards has grown through seven generations of the Dame family, three of which serve you today. On the farm, autumn activities are available, such as wagon rides and a corn maze.
Visit in July for an iconic photo in the gorgeous sunflower field.
In fall, the farm offers pick your own apples and pumpkins, as well as freshly picked fruits and flowers for those harvesting. Plenty of free parking.
Wagon rides are available on Saturdays from 9:00am to 4:30pm. They’re $7 per person, and free for 3yrs old and under.
The apples are scattered around the seven acres of farm, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. You’ll find Honey Crisp, Gala, McIntosh, Empire, Ida Red and Cortland, and many more.
Jaswell’s Farm
50 Swan Rd.
Smithfield, RI 02917
(401) 231-9043
Jaswell’s Farm is the oldest apple orchard in Smithfield, and was set up by Nicholas Jaswell in 1899. You are also invited to visit the farm to discover more about its history, operation and maintenance.
At Jaswell’s you can harvest a wide selection of apples and other fruit.
Pick-your-own pumpkins is available through the end of October. The farm also presses and pasteurizes its own fresh apples into cider, and does so on the largest apple cider mill in the state.
Their farmstand and bakery offer the freshest picked seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as a delectable assortment of fresh baked goods, including pies, pastries, cider donuts, and more.
You can even pick up some themed goodies like candy apples (Hello Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Apple!), while you are at it. Order ahead if you want to make sure of availability.
Jaswell’s Farm is one of the best spots for apple picking in Rhode Island, as well as one of the most visited apple picking destinations.
HOURS: Thursday & Friday 9am – 5pm; Saturday & Sunday 9am – 3pm!
COST: $28 for a peck (~ 10 lbs), $48 for a half-bushel (~20+ pounds)
Pippin Orchard
751 Pippin Orchard Rd.
Cranston, RI 02921
(401) 943-7096
Pippin Apple Orchard, in Cranston, has some of the best apple cider and pies around. Their orchard is over 17 acres and is known as one of the best groomed orchards in New England.
The Pippin orchard offers many different varieties of apples. They grow Macintosh, Empire, Cortland, Gala, Honeycrisp, Macoun, Jonagold, and Red Delicious.
You can also find many top farm products in their store, including local milk and eggs, maple products, syrups, candy apples, and cider doughnuts, made fresh in their bakery.
HOURS: U-Pick is open on weekends only, from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Steere Orchard
150 Austin Ave.,
Greenville, RI
(401)-949-1456
HOURS: Open daily 9-4
Steere Orchard has been growing apples and peaches since the 1930s, and is a 4th generation family orchard.
Pick Your Own apple varieties include Macoun, Cortland, Red and Golden Delicious, Macintosh, and RI Greening.
You can also find other delicious products to purchase on their farm stand, such as peaches, pumpkins, corn, jams and jellies, apple butter, apple cider, and locally produced honey.
Check to see if they are offering hay rides this year!
Sweet Berry Farm
915 Mitchell’s Ln.
Middletown, RI 02842
(401) 847-3912
Sweet Berry Farm located right near Newport, grows every kind of produce for you to choose from, harvest and cut. From Christmas Trees in winter to apples, berries, peaches, and pumpkins in summer and fall, Sweet Berry has it all.
It also combines an artisan farmers market and cafe, with premium ice cream, fine food and farm products, many sourced locally. This is a stop for year round adventures.
They have a variety of u-pick apple options including Summer Golden (Pristine), Sansa, Zestar, Summer McIntosh, Gingergold, McIntosh, Gala, Golden Supreme, Honeycrisp, Macoun, Cortland, Jonagold, Empire, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Mutsu (Crispin), and more.
