One Connecticut orchard has been in the same family since 1746. That means its apples were around before America had a flag, a president, or a single pumpkin spice latte.
Ten generations later, the cider donuts are still rolling out. Talk about a family business that knows how to commit.
The rest of the lineup brings wagon rides, a donut machine that doubles as live TV, and a cider pun clever enough to frame.
A few farms have been growing fruit for so long that their pie recipes probably have their own family tree.
Pies get stacked high, cider gets poured fresh, and cinnamon sugar ends up on your car seats.
If you ask me, a fall weekend without a cider donut barely counts.
1. Silverman’s Farm
Few farms let you pair a cider donut with a visit to the animals. In Easton, that combo comes standard.
Silverman’s Farm is a family-run spot known for animal feedings, pick-your-own apples, and a shop full of homemade products. The setting fits the town, which keeps a rural New England feel.
Start at the shop, because that’s where the good stuff lives. Fresh apple cider donuts and apple pie headline the bakery lineup.
Cider fans get options too. Along with classic apple cider, the farm has offered a spiced twist called chai-der, which is easily the best pun in Connecticut farming.
Apple picking draws crowds when the trees are ready. Arrive later in the season, though, and the trip still pays off.
Fall weekends can bring live music and tractor rides. That gives the kids something to do while you guard the donut bag.
Timing matters here. Saturday and Sunday afternoons are the busiest stretches of the week.
Want a calmer visit? Weekday mornings tend to be the quietest, so a Friday off could be your secret weapon.
The farm keeps the same hours seven days a week, opening at 9 AM and closing at 5 PM. Free parking is available in the lot and along the street.
Restrooms are on site, which every parent will appreciate after a cider stop. Plan on grabbing a pie for later, since one slice rarely feels like enough.
Address: 451 Sport Hill Rd, Easton, CT 06612
2. Rogers Orchards – Shuttle Meadow Farm Store
Eight generations of fruit growing is a long time to perfect a pie. Southington’s Rogers Orchards has had that kind of head start.
The Shuttle Meadow Farm Store sits against the hills of Shuttle Meadow, in a valley with a long fruit-growing past. It feels like apples belong here, because they have for ages.
Inside, the selection goes well beyond one kind of apple. Local apples, produce, and sweets fill the shelves.
Apple cider and donuts are the must-grab pair. The cider lineup has included a Honeycrisp Apple Cider, which sounds like fall in a bottle.
Don’t skip the molasses spice cookies. They’re a sneaky favorite that can steal attention from the donuts.
Pie lovers have choices too. Pumpkin and apple pies make it easy to cover both fall classics in one trip.
The store also carries goods from other local businesses. That makes it handy for picking up a gift or a hostess treat.
Planning is simple here. The store is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, weekends included.
Parking options include a free lot as well as a paid lot. Check the signs when you pull in so you know where you’re headed.
Going in a group? Split up the shopping list, because someone needs to be in charge of the cookies and someone else the pies.
Address: 336 Long Bottom Rd, Southington, CT 06489
3. Blue Jay Orchards
Kids leaving with cinnamon sugar on their faces is basically a Bethel tradition. Blue Jay Orchards makes sure of it.
The farm sits along Plumtrees Road, a pastoral stretch in a classic New England small town. It’s the kind of drive that makes you slow down on purpose.
At heart, it’s a farm market built around seasonal treats. Cider donuts, baked goods, and apple picking are the main attractions.
The donuts come straight from the farm, so freshness isn’t a question. Get a dozen, and maybe a second bag for the car.
Apple pie holds its own against those donuts. It’s a strong choice for anyone bringing dessert to Sunday dinner.
When the trees are ready, the orchards welcome pickers. Wandering the rows gives you a good reason to work up an appetite first.
The store carries a range of products beyond the bakery. Browse a bit before heading to the register.
During the main fall season, hours shift between weekdays and weekends, but from November 1 through Thanksgiving weekend, the farm store opens only on weekends.
During September and October, the farm store opens at 11 AM Monday through Friday and 10 AM on weekends.
Both schedules wrap up at 5 PM. That gives weekend visitors an extra hour of donut time, which feels fair.
Free parking is available in the lot and on the street. Pack some wet wipes, because those sugary little faces won’t clean themselves.
Address: 125 Plumtrees Rd, Bethel, CT 06801
4. Lyman Orchards Apple Barrel Farm Market
Nearly 100 types of seasonal fruit grow at this Middlefield orchard. That’s a lot of options before you even reach the bakery.
The Apple Barrel Farm Market is the hub of Lyman Orchards. It sits among rolling hills in a small town with deep farming roots.
Pies, apple cider donuts, and apple cider are the big three here. Plenty of families make a yearly trip just for that trio.
Fresh fruit and produce share the spotlight. The market also offers prepared foods and organic products, so lunch is covered too.
One of the best moves is simple. Buy your pie or donuts, then relax outside and enjoy the view.
Feeling ambitious? Head to the orchard after shopping and pick your own apples, with Honeycrisp among the crowd-pleasers.
The property is bigger than just the market. Corn mazes and public golf are part of the Lyman Orchards experience.
Market hours run from 9 AM to 6 PM daily. That later closing time helps if your weekend starts slow.
Saturday afternoons are the busiest time to stop by. Weekday mornings and evenings are much calmer for easy browsing.
Free Wi-Fi and restrooms make longer visits easy. Parking includes both free and paid options, so follow the signs on arrival.
Connecticut has plenty of orchards, but few pack this much into one afternoon. Just save room for that second donut.
Address: 32 Reeds Gap Rd, Middlefield, CT 06455
5. Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard
Donuts made right in front of you are a special kind of torture. You watch, you wait, and the cinnamon smell wins.
That’s the scene at the country store at Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard in Shelton. The apple cinnamon donuts come fresh from the counter, so patience is part of the deal.
The farm sits along Route 110 in Shelton’s White Hills, an old farming district. Historic homesteads and orchard views make the drive feel like part of the outing.
Fresh cider is the name on the sign, and it earns the billing. Grab a jug for the week, then try not to finish it by Tuesday.
Pies are another big reason to stop. Apple pie leads the pack, and it pairs nicely with a donut eaten in the parking lot.
The store also stocks jams and, of course, apples. It’s easy to turn a quick donut run into a full pantry restock.
Hours here start a little later than some farms. The store opens at 10 AM and runs until 5:30 PM, every day of the week.
That extra half hour at closing helps on lazy Sundays. Sleep in, take the scenic route, and still make it before the doors lock.
Parking is free in the on-site lot. Bring a cooler bag if you’re stocking up, because cider tastes best cold.
Address: 278 Leavenworth Rd, Shelton, CT 06484
6. March Farm
The smell of apple cider donuts is a pretty good reason to head for Bethlehem. At March Farm, it’s only the beginning of a full fall afternoon.
This family-run Connecticut farm combines a country store, bakery, and pick-your-own orchards in one scenic setting. Rolling hills give the whole place that classic New England autumn feel.
Start with the bakery counter. Apple cider donuts are a favorite, and fresh pies make a strong case for taking dessert home.
Cookies, muffins, and breads add even more temptation. You might arrive planning to buy a few apples and leave carrying a whole weekend’s worth of treats.
Apple picking is a big part of the seasonal fun. When the fruit is ready, wandering between the trees is a lovely way to spend a crisp afternoon.
Families have more to explore beyond the orchard. A corn maze and seasonal farm activities give kids plenty of reasons to stay.
The country store is worth a look too. Fresh produce and other farm goods make it easy to stock up before heading home.
Fall weekends can get lively, especially when apple picking and family activities are in full swing. Arriving earlier gives you more time to enjoy everything.
Check the farm’s seasonal hours and picking updates before visiting. Availability changes as the harvest progresses.
Address: 160 Munger Ln, Bethlehem, CT 06751
7. Averill Farm
A farm that has stayed in the same family since 1746 deserves a little extra attention. At Averill Farm in Washington Depot, that history comes with apple cider donuts.
The Averill family has worked this Connecticut land for ten generations. Today, the 260-acre property is best known for its fruit orchards and beautiful Litchfield Hills setting.
Apples are the main attraction in autumn. More than 100 varieties grow on the farm, with a selection available for visitors to pick themselves.
But don’t hurry past the farm stand. Fresh apple cider and cider donuts are two very good reasons to stop before heading into the orchard.
Pie lovers have something to celebrate too. The farm sells locally made pies featuring its own fruit, including classic apple and apple crumb varieties when available.
Those pies make excellent souvenirs. Just remember that popular flavors can sell out, especially during busy fall weekends.
The stand also carries homemade jams and jellies, maple syrup, honey, and other seasonal products. It’s easy to find a few extras for your pantry.
Apple picking brings another layer of fun. The orchard offers a mix of familiar favorites and less common varieties, depending on what’s ready.
The farm stand generally opens in mid-August and operates seasonally, so check current hours and apple availability before making the drive.
Address: 250 Calhoun St, Washington Depot, CT 06794
8. Clark Farms At Bushy Hill Orchard
Apple cider donuts, wagon rides, and a farm full of fall colors? Clark Farms at Bushy Hill Orchard in Granby knows how to build a weekend around apples.
This family-operated farm grows thousands of apple and peach trees. When autumn arrives, the orchard becomes a destination for picking fruit and enjoying the harvest.
Cider donuts are one of the biggest reasons to stop. Grab a bag while they’re available, because a warm donut and a cool fall morning make a hard combination to beat.
The bakery also offers apple pies made with farm-fresh ingredients. That takes care of dessert before you’ve even started thinking about dinner.
Cider is another specialty here. The farm makes sweet apple cider using fruit from its own trees, giving visitors a taste of the orchard in a glass.
During apple season, visitors ride a wagon to designated picking areas. It’s a fun part of the experience and saves you from wondering which rows are ready.
Families can also enjoy farm animals, seasonal activities, and food from the on-site cafe. Some weekends bring extra events that make the outing feel like a little harvest festival.
The farm’s fall calendar can include corn mazes and pumpkin activities too. There’s plenty to explore even after the donut bag is empty.
Apple picking depends on the harvest and weather, and donuts are generally available on weekends. Check the farm’s updates before visiting.
Address: 29 Bushy Hill Rd, Granby, CT 06035
9. Woodstock Orchards And Bakery Barn
Watching cider donuts roll off a machine is almost as satisfying as eating them. At Woodstock Orchards, you can enjoy both parts of the experience.
This family-owned farm has been operating since 1958. Set among the rolling hills of northeastern Connecticut, it combines fresh produce, apple picking, and a bakery in one welcoming stop.
The cider donuts are a major attraction. A donut-making machine produces them fresh, so visitors get to see part of the process before choosing their treats.
Pies deserve just as much attention. The bakery also makes turnovers, muffins, apple crisp, and baked apples using farm-fresh ingredients.
It’s the kind of counter where deciding on one dessert feels unnecessarily difficult. Bringing home a pie and a bag of donuts seems like a perfectly sensible compromise.
The farm store adds another reason to linger. More than 20 apple varieties are available during the fall season, alongside pumpkins, squash, jams, and other local products.
Pick-your-own apples are offered when the harvest allows. It’s a great way to turn a bakery stop into a proper orchard outing.
Shopping for gifts? Local honey, maple syrup, preserves, and other pantry favorites make useful souvenirs.
Early birds get an advantage here. The bakery opens daily at 6:30 AM and closes at 5 PM, while the farm store runs from 9 AM to 6 PM.
That gives you plenty of time to pick up fresh donuts before the day’s other adventures begin.
Address: 494 CT-169, Woodstock, CT 06281