Tourists Love This Delightful Farm In Massachusetts Full Of Cozy Fall New England Charm

When autumn drapes Massachusetts in shades of gold, few places capture the fall season's magic quite like Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury. This 145-acre family-run farm turns into a fall haven, complete with crisp air, rows of apple trees heavy with fruit, and the scent of cider donuts lingering on the breeze. Visitors can wander through five apple orchards filled with early, mid, and late-season varieties, filling their bags and baskets.

Hayrides run on weekends from early-September through mid-October, free with the purchase of any picking container (or $5 a person), and the farm's sprawling grounds are alive with families feeding chickens, visiting goats, and children leaping into the giant sandbox.

By mid-September, the pumpkin patch glows with orange and gold, ready for carving, and the outdoor Hard Cider Bar adds a festive touch with live music, food trucks, and cider-tastings every weekend through late-October. The farm store, open daily, is a treasure trove of homemade pies, produce, local goods, and their famous apple cider donuts. On weekends you can dine at the PitchFORK, serving hearty bites, while Eleanor's Lunch Box keeps weekday visitors fueled with sandwiches and fresh salads. Whether you come for the apples, the atmosphere, or the sweet hum of seasonal joy, Cider Hill Farm is autumn distilled into its purest form.

Cider Hill Farm sits in Amesbury, a charming town about 40 minutes north of Boston. Pick-your-own tickets are typically released 48 hours before each harvest day, with sales opening online or at the farm once the weather and fruit are just right. Picking containers start around $15 for a half-peck bag (good for two pickers), $28 for a full peck (for up to four), and $45 for a half-bushel (for groups of six). Parking is free, and the layout makes it easy to wander from the orchard to the barn.

The nearest airport is Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, about 20 miles away, though most travelers fly into Boston Logan International Airport, about an hour-long drive, depending on traffic. Amesbury is easily accessible from both I-95 and I-495, making it an easy road trip stop or weekend trip from almost anywhere in the region.

Once you've had your fill of apples and cider, there's plenty to explore nearby. Take a leisurely stroll along the Amesbury Riverwalk, follow the trails at Battis Farm to Lake Gardner, or spend an afternoon leaf-peeping through the meadows of Woodsom Farm. History buffs will find plenty to love too: Lowell's Boat Shop, America's oldest in operation, sits just down the road, and the Industrial History Center offers a glimpse into the town's mill-working past. For a charming overnight stay, options range from the Hampton Inn and Fairfield Inn by I-95 to charming local Airbnbs and nearby campgrounds like Tuxbury Pond and Wakeda.

Though autumn may be its shining moment, Cider Hill Farm is worth visiting every season. Spring begins with the Tulip Festival in early-May, when rows of colorful blooms paint the fields and visitors can snip their own stems to take home. As the days warm, the Summer Cutting Garden takes over with more than two dozen varieties of flowers, joined by strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries ripening under the sun.

In late-July, the peach orchards offer ten acres of soft fruit glowing in the light, with new cherry trees soon to join the lineup in 2026. When the final leaves fall and winter's chill sets in, the farm transforms once again with the arrival of the Christmas tree stand in late-November, offering fragrant Balsam Fir and Fraser trees ranging from five to fourteen feet tall.

Cider Hill Farm is an excellent place to add to your New England fall bucket list. Each visit carries its own kind of magic. The laughter of children feeding chickens, the hum of a band drifting from the Hard Cider Bar, the satisfying crunch of a freshly picked apple — it's all part of what makes Cider Hill Farm feel timeless. Come in boots, bring a friend, and take home more than a bag of fruit; take home a small piece of New England's heart.