*Honeycrisp apples ready to be picked at Carter Hill Orchard*

Crisp air, mountain views, and a tote bag full of fresh fruit… apple season in Concord is the kind of fall ritual you plan your weekends around. In our area, prime pick-your-own generally runs from about Labor Day through Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day, with some varieties starting in mid-August and late varieties stretching well into October (weather depending). Read on to gather all the deets for being a PYO pro this season!

🍏 Our Favorite Orchards

Apple Hill Farm — 580 Mountain Rd (NH-132), Concord
Family-friendly rows close to downtown with daily pick-your-own (typically 8:30 am–5:30 pm) and a handy harvest guide that lists what’s ripe when. Check out their farm stand, which features fresh product and homemade jams & jellies!

Carter Hill Orchard — 73 Carter Hill Rd, Concord
A true local favorite with large acreage and a busy bakery/farm store (yes, that means cider donuts!). 2025 hours run daily 8 am–6 pm in summer/early fall (through Oct 26), then 9–5 through late fall. PYO season typically runs until mid-to-late October. Because Concord is in a drought season this year, we can expect an earlier conclusion to the season.

Gould Hill Farm — 656 Gould Hill Rd, Contoocook (Hopkinton)
Panoramic hilltop orchard growing 100+ apple varieties; current PYO hours listed as 10 am–5 pm, Tuesday through Sunday (always check day-of updates). This farm features a farm store/bakery and on-site Contoocook Cider tasting room to round out a classic fall visit.

💡 Tip: Check the orchard’s website or socials the morning you go for current picking fields and varieties!

🍎 Picking the Right Apple

Looking for a specific favorite? Concord orchards boast a variety of varieties:

Late August

Ginger Gold – Early, crisp and nicely sweet-tart; great fresh or in salads. (Often late Aug.)
Paula Red – The early relative of the McIntosh, but a touch tarter; wonderful for sauce and pies. (Late Aug–early Sept.)
Sansa – A gala-hybrid apple; juicy, bright flavor perfect for desserts. (Late Aug–early Sept.)

Early to Mid-September

McIntosh (“Mac”) – When you think of New England apples, you think of Macs. Wonderfully tart & juicy; perfect for eating, sauce, and pies. We’re happy to report plenty of ripe trees ready to go at the time of writing this. (Early–mid Sept.)
Gala – Mild, sweet, very crisp; best for fresh eating. (Around mid-Sept.)
Honeycrisp – Super-crisp, sweet, & juicy; excellent fresh, good keeper. This is our favorite variety! (Mid-Sept.)
Cortland – Sweet-aromatic with white flesh that resists browning; salad and baking star. (Early–mid Sept.)

Late September

Red Delicious – A classic variety with sweet, mild flavor and firm flesh; perfect for snacking or applesauce (Mid-late Sept.)
Macoun – Rich Mac-like flavor with extra snap; terrific for fresh eating. (Late Sept.)
Golden Delicious – Sunny yellow and mildly sweet with a hint of anise; a fantastic dessert option. (Late Sept.)
Empire – Balanced sweet-tart, a classic all-purpose favorite. (Late Sept into October.)

October

Jonagold – Juicy, sweet-tart; superb for pies and tarts. (Early Oct.)
Crispin (Mutsu) – Firm, tart-sweet green apple; excellent for baking and slaws. (Mid–late Oct.)
Fuji – Very sweet with great crunch; best fresh. (Mid–late Oct.)
Pink Lady – Late, sweet-tart and crisp; a versatile all-purpose finisher when the season lingers. (Late Oct, weather permitting.)
Snow Sweet / Golden Supreme / Golden Russet / Baldwin / Ida Red – A mix of heirlooms and modern keepers spanning sweet to robust; good eating and baking options as fields rotate open. (Throughout Oct., variety-specific.)

Is my apple ripe?

When picking apples, it’s important to remember that apples on the outer branches ripen first. More access to direct sunlight speeds up the ripening process. There are several ways to ensure you’re picking the best of the branch:

Ripe apples separate easily from the branch; if an apple doesn’t release with a gentle twist & pull, it’s not ready.
Check for fallen apples; if a few healthy, unblemished apples have fallen naturally, the tree is likely ready to be picked.
Note the color change; the green background color on most varieties of apple will change to a creamy yellow as they ripen.
Check for firmness; a ripe apple should feel firm, but not hard. Avoid any apples that exhibit too much give or dent easily.

💡 Tip: When in doubt, perform a taste test! Be sure to wipe down your apple first.

🥧 Classic New England Apple Desserts

Once you pick your bounty, be sure to save a few to turn into a sweet treat! Some regional favorites include:

Double-Crust Apple Pie: Tart Macs or Cortlands tucked under a flaky lid—try it “Vermont style” with a slice of local sharp cheddar. (Seriously, it’s unexpectedly good!)
Apple Crisp: Juicy baked apples under an oat-butter streusel; best warm with vanilla ice cream.
Apple Brown Betty: A colonial classic; buttered breadcrumbs layered with spiced apples for a toasty, caramelized bite.
Apple Pandowdy: Skillet pie with a rough, “dowdied” crust broken into the filling so the juices bubble over.
Apple Cider Donuts: The classic cinnamon-sugar dusted rings, sure to please any palate. Our recommendation? Get them fresh & warm from the orchard.
Apple Dumplings: Whole apples wrapped in pastry and baked in cider-brown sugar syrup.
Turnovers & Slab Pie: Try making hand-held versions to pack for leaf-peeping picnics!

💡 Tip: Finish with a drizzle of local maple syrup or a scoop of maple walnut ice cream for peak fall flavor.

🌳 Make the Most of Your Visit

Bring your reusable totes and wear outdoor shoes. While picking, sample a new variety; Concord’s orchards plant far more than the classics! Check the orchard map or staff signs for open rows, and don’t miss the farm stands for cider, pies, jams, and (of course) those legendary apple cider donuts. We hope you get out there, and happy picking!

Dillon Clark is the Creative Director at the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce. You can often catch him walking downtown, visiting Concord’s restaurants, buying a sweet treat, or petting a passing dog.

Visit Concord NH is an initiative of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce. This website and accompanying social media profiles showcase the best of NH’s Capital Region to travelers, new residents and long-time fans of Concord. Learn more about the Chamber at concordnhchamber.com.

Is this list missing something? There’s always new businesses, menu items and endless places to find great food in the Concord region. Email dclark@concordnhchamber.com to submit your suggestion for this blog!

Your Ultimate Guide to Apple Picking in Concord