Because of our fondness for apple crisp and, really, anything made with copious amounts of apples, sugar and cinnamon, we put together a guide to the apple orchards in and around Concord.
By around, we mean any town that touches Concord's border. As you can see, you don't have to drive far to get your own handpicked fresh fruit, direct from the source.
All of the orchards feature pick-your-own varieties, but if you're short on time (or energy) you can always just stop by any of the orchards' farm stands or stores – they keep them stocked with a surprising number of apple varieties and other delicious things, like jams, maple products and even cider donuts. Yum!
Apple Hill Farm
580 Mountain Road, Route 132
Concord
224-8862, applehillfarmnh.com
Farm store details: The store is open daily 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. It carries common and uncommon apples, plums and fall vegetables, pumpkins as well as Apple Hill’s own farm-made jams and jellies, fresh fruit pies made from scratch, sweet cider, maple products of all kinds, aged cheddar cheese, smoked cheeses, honey, smoked meats, N.H. wine, hard cider and NH specialty products.
Pick-your-own hours: Daily, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m for apples and fall raspberries.
Credit cards?: Yes, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and Quest EBT Cards (food stamp debit cards).
Price for pick your own: $1.25 on the weekend and special weekday pricing of $1 per pound.
Just so you know: There is a play area for kids and hiking trails around the farm. Wagon rides to the orchard weekends only, weather permitting, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. While you’re there, check out the largest apple in New Hampshire!
Carter Hill Orchards
73 Carter Hill Road
Concord
225-2625, carterhillapples.com
Farm store details: Open every day from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The store has a bakery with pies, cookies, sweet breads and other assorted goodies. The store also carries cider, peaches, plums and vegetables, among other typical gift shop items.
Pick-your-own hours: Daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Credit cards?: Yes, all major credit cards except American Express.
Price for pick your own: Eighty cents per pound.
Just so you know: The orchard features an observation tower and a play area for the kids.
Gould Hill Orchards
656 Gould Hill Road
Contoocook
746-3811, gouldhill.com
Farm store details: The store offers apple and peach varieties as they ripen, starting in early August. The orchard presses its own fresh cider at the farm as soon as McIntosh apples become available in September. It also features local maple syrup, honey, baked goods, freshly-made donuts on the weekend, ice cream, local cheeses and in-season produce including pumpkins and many varieties of squash. Also, cookbooks, baskets and works of local artisans. The store hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Pick-your-own hours: Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Credit cards?: Yes, MasterCard and Visa.
Price for pick your own:
1/2 peck apples, $7; peck apples, $12; half-bushel apples, $19.
Just so you know: Gould Hill grows more than 85 varieties of apples and 14 varieties of peaches. It also produces its own fresh sweet cider, maple syrup and fruit products. The orchard is also home to The Little Nature Museum, formerly located in Weare. Its website is littlenaturemuseum.org. The orchard also grows and sells fruit trees out of a nursery. Typically, the store stocks a selection of apples, peaches, plums, crabapples and nectarines. Call ahead for availability.
Hackleboro Orchards
61 Orchard Road (off Hackleboro Road), Canterbury
783-4248, hackleboroorchards.com
Farm store details: Visitors will find several apple varieties, vegetables, honey and maple products and baked and sewn goods.
Pick-your-own hours: Daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Credit cards?: No, cash or check only.
Price for pick your own: Half-peck $4.50, peck $8, half-bushel $15.
Just so you know: While at the orchard, you can also visit the farm animals, climb the view deck or take a hayride on the weekend. Visiting doggies are welcome, but should be kept on a leash.
Meadow Ledge Farm
612 Route 129
Loudon
798-5860, meadowledgefarm.com
Farm store details: The store carries cider, maple products, fudge, candy, local crafts, candles, honey products, jellies, baked goods, pumpkins, pears, smoked cheese and bacon, mums and cider donuts.
Pick-your-own hours: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Credit cards?: Yes, Visa, MasterCard and Discover.
Price for pick your own: $1.25 per pound.
Just so you know: The cider donuts are legendary, we hear – people have been known to wait in line 45 minutes just to get some of their own. Donuts are available on the weekend. Tractor rides are also offered on the weekend.
