Tufts Blogs

As an international student, living in New England has been full of surprises, especially when it comes to the region's seasonal traditions. One of the most delightful experiences I’ve encountered is apple picking—something I had never done before coming here. In fact, the whole concept of fall foliage, with its rich reds, oranges, and yellows, and living in a place with four distinct seasons was entirely new to me. Back home in my city, we don't have the same kind of fall, and the idea of picking your own apples directly from the orchard felt like stepping into a storybook.

This past weekend, my friends and I decided to fully embrace the autumn spirit by taking a road trip to New Hampshire with the goal of apple picking. Apple season in New England typically runs from August through November, with September and October being the peak months, so it was the perfect time to go. We had a few options closer to Tufts, as there are several charming apple orchards in Massachusetts, but we wanted to make it a full-day adventure. We chose to visit Applecrest Farm Orchards in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, one of the oldest orchards in the area, which offered much more than just apple picking.

One of my friends has a car, and she was kind enough to drive us. The trip was just over an hour, and as we drove further into New Hampshire, the scenery became more breathtaking. The roadside trees were painted in the vibrant colors of fall, and the air felt crisp and fresh—a clear reminder that autumn was in full swing. The excitement of leaving the city behind for a day and heading into nature was palpable.

When we arrived at Applecrest Farm Orchards, we were greeted by a charming farm atmosphere that felt like a quintessential New England experience. We started our adventure by hopping onto a wagon that took us into the heart of the orchard. It was like stepping into a postcard: rows upon rows of apple trees framed by rolling hills and distant mountains, all against the backdrop of those iconic fall colors. The orchard was huge, offering a variety of apple types like McIntosh, Macoun, Empire, and several others that I had never heard of before. We purchased bags at the entrance, which we could fill with as many apples as we could pick. Walking through the orchard felt magical and the apples were so crisp and delicious. We took our time wandering through the different rows, sampling various apple types, and just soaking in the peacefulness of the orchard.

After we had filled our bags with apples, we headed back to the main area of the farm, where a lively market and fair were taking place. The atmosphere was festive, with a live band playing music and people gathered around to enjoy the food stalls and activities. The market offered everything from fresh apple cider and homemade jams to baked goods like pies and muffins. One of the highlights was the apple cider donut cart, where we got to eat warm, freshly made donuts coated in sugar and cinnamon—a classic New England treat that lived up to its reputation.

The farm also featured a pumpkin patch, perfect for those who wanted to pick out pumpkins for Halloween carving, and an ice cream shed serving homemade flavors from apple cider to many more. We spent some time wandering through these different areas, soaking in the ambiance and indulging in the seasonal treats. It felt like a scene straight out of a movie, with the sun casting a warm, golden light over the colorful leaves and the smell of fresh apples and donuts filling the air and it was such an amazing day.

Apple picking might be a small tradition, but it’s one that captures the essence of the fall season so well—getting outdoors, enjoying nature, and sharing it with friends. As someone who didn't grow up with these kinds of seasonal traditions, I feel incredibly grateful to experience them now. I recommend experiencing this, especially with so many orchards all around us.