Where To Pick Your Own Apples, Pumpkins In Chester Co. Fall 2018

Fall is on the way to southeastern Pennsylvania, and Chester County offers some of the regions best autumn experiences. Chester County is known for its sprawling apple orchards, and there is no shortage of pumpkin patches to boot.

Here's a list of some of the best pick-your-own farms in Chester County and the nearby area. Many offer other activities like hayrides, kid's events, and cider donuts.

Have a favorite spot that wasn't listed here? Let us know. Shoot an email over to justin.heinze@patch.com.

A note of caution: heavy rains have had an impact on local farms. With more rain in the forecast over the coming days, be sure to check with the farm or orchard you go to beforehand to ensure they are open and that picking is available that day.

Highland Orchards, 1000 Marshallton Thorndale Road, West Chester

Highland's most popular offerings include both apple picking and peach picking, which begin in September (this past weekend was canceled due to rain). Pickers pile aboard a shuttle that brings you to the harvesting location. Many other fruits and vegetables are available for picking, as well, including corn, nectarines, and more, depending on the week. Website here.

Milky Way Farm, 521 E Uwchlan Ave, Chester Springs

Milky Way has an official Pumpkin Harvest Season running for five weekends, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 28. Free hayrides takes visitors to the eight acre pumpkin patch from the parking area; you can also choose to hoof it on a walking a trail. Farm animals, a corn maze, fresh ice cream from the Chester Springs Creamery, and more are available. Website here.

Sugartown Strawberries, 650 Sugartown Road, Malvern

At Sugartown, ride a tractor-drawn wagon out to the pumpkin patch. Picking runs from Sept. 29 to Oct. 31, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. There is also a hay bale maze, a Country Store packed with fall decorations, autumn refreshments, strawberries, of course, and more. Website here.

Barnard's Orchards, 1079 Wawaset Road (Route 842), Kennett Square

Specific picking start dates have not yet been announced for Barnard's, which, when in season, offers a wide range of apples and other fruits and veggies for picking. A start date is expected in the coming weeks.

Varner Farms, 746 S Trappe Rd, Collegeville

Varner Farms is a local institution that offers everything from pumpkin picking to cutting your own Christmas tree. There are horse and tractor wagon rides out to the pumpkin patch ($4 per person), pumpkin painting, face painting, scarecrow making, a corn maze, and more. You can also pick corn, apples, and strawbales. Other specialties in the store include cider, caramels, and dried flowers. Website here.

Olszanowski Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch, 315 Pughtown Road, Spring City

Olszanowski opens up Sept. 28 and runs through Nov. 3. On Friday nights in that time period, there are moonlight hayrides($5), a corn maze ($8), and a public campfire. A hayride to the pumpkin patch is offered during the day on Saturdays and Sundays.

Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images