Every year our annual apple picking trip gets worse and worse. The orchards have become commercialized apple picking amusement parks. Last year I snapped a few pics of the parking lot because I was shocked by the rows upon rows of cars. The hayrides may as well have been greyhound buses packed to capacity! Everywhere I turned there was a mass of people and more ways to subtract money from my pocket. At the time I wondered if an orchard existed where we could go pick apples and enjoy being outside, in nature, on a nice fall day. I was doubtful. We did our thing and went home and that was it. I didn't think about it again. Then, this morning, my wife declared this to be our annual apple picking day. We moved recently and wanted to stay close so we chose Autumn Hill Orchard in Groton. As soon as we got there my memories and thoughts from the previous year came flooding back. This was that place, that for one moment in time I hoped would exist. There was a completely reasonable number of people visiting for a day such as today. It was beautiful. We picked apples, strolled about, had a picnic and got some pumpkins. The grounds are picturesque and the surrounding scenery and views are amazing. They weren't churning out little money donuts or trying to draw crowds with animals, mazes, configurations of hay, or any other distractions. We got to focus on the apple orchard, the amazing day and most importantly each other. As always, keeping it simple, natural and beautiful is the best way to go. If you want an unnatural sea of cars and people and lots of amusements and goods for sale, this isn't your place. If you want to get away from all that madness and have a peaceful experience, I don't think you could find a better spot. read more

This is such a wonderful spot. Very low key: pull up, park, grab a bag in the tiny farm stand, and walk to the apples. They have loads of varieties, trees beautifully laden with apples of all colors, picnic tables at the top with the gorgeous view. Yes: pack a picnic so you can hang out up there in the peace and quiet. Can't wait to make a pie today with the various varieties we picked. Thanks for preserving this slice of our New England heritage! read more

Great McHouns! Easy to reach trees. Large delicious fruit. Fun hiking up and down orchard's' hills

The parking situation is a bit of a nightmare, and the owner is extremely rude to customers. It's a little bit concerning because there are definitely some anger management issues that need to be addressed there. I've been going to local farms for many years and have always had a pleasant and enjoyable experience. After my first and last visit, I would not allow my children to go to this farm. There are other nice farms in the area, so just avoid this one. read more

Exactly what I was looking for, a day out with the kids without all the extra nonsense. Apples were delightful.

Found this hidden gem on our way back from a hike. What a great find. thanks Yelpers! It still has all that old school NE charm with rows and rows of apple varieties still available for picking as of yesterday. Highly recommend if you're looking to skip out of that busy commercial apple orchard mess like you see at Honey Pot and other similar places. read more

Autumn Hills Orchard - Pick Your Own Farms Near Me - Groton, Massachusetts

I've been here a few times now, and each time, without fail, it has rained. Although it discourages some, there is something to be said for being all bundled up with a light fall rain drizzling down and coating the cool apples as you pluck them from the rain drop covered leaves (see picture). sigh. i love fall. although this place is a bit of a drive, i think it is worth it. it is a small orchard high enough on its hill that you can see boston on a clear day. the stand is very simple, which i love. sure there are no hayrides and apple pies and petting zoos, but there are also no toddlers, strollers and sugary temptations. i like kids, but i also like to be able to throw rotten apples at my friends without worrying about who else may be lurking. due to the rain, the times i have been there, we have had the place to ourselves. its a nice serene orchard with no frills and lots of apples. the people behind the counter have always had a smile and the answers to our questions. nestled in a very new englandy town, this is a great place to go you are looking for a commercial free apple pick. read more

Autumn Hills Orchard - Pick Your Own Farms Near Me - Groton, Massachusetts

This place quaint and a perfect way to spend a fall day. We are from Alabama and was in Boston for some medical appointments. On my bucket list was "picking apples in New England in the fall" this place completely checked that off my list. Definitely worth the short drive from Boston. Plenty of varieties to choose from, reasonably priced and the family that owns it was so nice! Wear comfy shoes cause it can be a lot of walking. I swear you can smell apples before you ever get there. read more

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I love this orchard- it is old school! Just a big beautiful place with lots of varieties of apples. There is no maze, store, etc- just you and apple trees. It would be great to add apple cider donuts. Just saying! And what about partnering with some local cheese makers and having cheese in the cooler? We always leave with 25+ pounds of yummy apples!!! read more

This place was so perfect that I almost don't want to print this review. We had almost given up on PYO apples because we didn't want to endure crowded wagon rides, petting zoos, donut stands, etc., we just wanted to be outside and enjoy some peace and quiet. It's a beautiful orchard on rolling hills and thankfully, there are no bells and whistles. We had a wonderful time walking the orchard and casually picking apples. There were plenty of other people, of all ages, some with picnics, some with cameras, but no crowds, just a pleasant atmosphere. The views from the top of the hills in autumn are spectacular. We also saw twelve wild turkeys and were able to follow them into the woods on our way back to the shed from the orchard. Fall 2009, we were also able to get pounds of Concord grapes for making jam - literally bursting with deliciousness. read more

Best place in the world. Beautiful views from on top of the hill. Amazing variety. No hay rides. No gift shop. No cider muffins. No petting zoo. No piped music. No landscaping. NO TOURISTS. On one hand, I want them to make crazy money, so they never, ever sell that amazing land to a developer. On the other hand, it's so great because it never seems crowded. I hope it lasts! read more

Not sure how much more I can add with my review after reading all the other ones and then deciding this was the place we would try. As others have stated it can be a ride but we took back roads and enjoyed the sights and small towns we don't usually past through. The orchard is nice and Well kept and clean. Were shocked they still had grape and raspberry picking going on along with pears. The rows are clearly marked so there is No confusing what apples are what if you are in search of a certain kind. We were a little disappointed they didn't have honeycrisp apples but it wasn't a deal breaker. The views are nice and climbing the hills to the other half of the orchid is worth it we thought as we strolled and randomly picked and took in the view on this sunny day. As others have said No commercial stuff being shoved down your throat except for the apple cider and maple syrup and That's fine. Only draw back we didn't like were the small bags and how they charge you. We are use to it either being a bushel or half bushel not by the pound. But it's fine and how they do it but it's not a draw back. read more

We took a vacation day yesterday and decided to go apple picking. After seeing the very positive reviews here on Yelp, we chose to drive up to Groton and give Autumn Hills Orchard a try. The orchard is huge, the views are picturesque, and the fruit trees are varied. We picked Gala, Macintosh, and Macoun, and were excited to happen upon trees with ripe pears and plums, too! We are making some plum jam later today... Walking up to the orchard and in and among the trees was very enjoyable (it is hilly, so wear proper shoes). The best part was the amazing view of the mountains in the distance. Will be breathtaking in peak season (now just a few weeks away), and there are picnic tables at the spot with the best views, so you could bring a picnic. Like another reviewer wrote -- I appreciate the fact that it is a no-frills orchard without the added and expensive disney-esque petting zoo or strategically located exit into a gift shop. Overall, it was a lovely day, which also Included a yummy lunch at Bliss Bakery in Groton Center (see separate review) and a visit to the Groton Farmer's Market. read more

I found a review for Autumn Hills on Yelp and Yelpers, you did not fail me!!! What an amazing place in a beautiful location on top of a hill - we could see the mountains of New Hampshire and rolling hills leading up to them. Just beautiful. They have picnic tables set up in a scenic location on the top of the hill - you should bring a picnic lunch or some wine and cheese before picking and enjoy the view. The staff and owners are so nice! It is just a very quiet, down to earth, wholesome place. The prices are terrific. Follow the directions on their website for the scenic drive - really pretty through the western suburbs. If you want to pay a fee to pick, buy overpriced apples, ride trains, crowds, hayrides, petting zoos, popcorn and donuts, don't come here - you will be disappointed. read more

If your looking for long lines, tons of people, something that resembles a circus, and spending way too much money then this place is NOT for you. Stick with Honey Pot Farms. If your looking for a quite country atmosphere, excellent apples, and profoundly cheap prices, then Autumn Hills Orchard is your destination. My wife and I first started coming here in 2000. We came every year since and loved the town of Groton so much that we moved here in 2009. You can't go wrong with Autumn Hills Orchard. read more

We love Autumn Hills Orchard!! They hosted our youth program and taught us all about the old apple varieties. I learned about the farmers, the apple varieties, heirloom varieties, and enjoyed a breathtaking scene. The hills are incredible. That day there a huge storm that blew threw. We looked one direction and it was dark gray. In comparison, looking out towards Vermont, the sun was setting among purple and pink clouds. A lot of our youth employees had never been apple picking before. It was perfect and I nearly cried. Thank you Autumn Hills Orchard for the memories! I'd like to add that their apples are delicious and there is plenty of variety! Best, Casey read more

My favorite spot for picking apples. Why? 1. No crowds. Seriously--get over Honey Pot Hills where apple picking becomes an exercise in fighting mobs. I want a quiet day in the country. For mobs of people, I walk down Newbury Street, 2. The views. Gorgeous rolling hills with great views of the changing leaf colors. 3. The apples. More varieties than many of the orchards in the area. I love the usuals (macintosh, cortland, empire), but sometimes I also like to try those Rhode Island Greenies and the Cox Orange Pippin and the Spencers--yum! 4. No minimums. You pick what you want and pay by weight, $1.50/pound. 5. Great picnic spots. Enough said. 6. Friendly, helpful staff. 7. Super cute roosters, horses and geese are highly entertaining. Go and check it out! No, there are no corn mazes or hay rides or cider donuts. But you won't miss them. read more

A purist's apple orchard with more varieties than I can remember. It is so worth taking a day out to visit. No Disney distractions, no hay rides, no country-store, no bouncy castle, just a humble working farm owned and run by Anne, a woman of immense strength and inspiring courage. We spent a bit of time talking to her and came away with even more appreciation for what this farm is all about. It's such a peaceful place that we thoroughly enjoyed just walking the rows of trees, watching the bumble and honey bees in the raspberry patch, and looking out over the stunning foothill landscape from the picnic tables on the orchard's high ground. Lovely! read more

Autumn Hills Orchard - This is Anne of Autumn Hills. If for no other reason than to support this woman of immense strength and courage, come here for your apples. - Pick Your Own Farms Near Me - Groton, Massachusetts

This place is everything an apple orchard should be. Wonderful apples, beautiful views, and knowledgeable and friendly farmers on site to tell you all about the apples (and pears!). There are no hay rides or stupid trains or any of that junk. Instead, the kids get to run around (in fields!) and chuck dropped apples at one another. And look at the horse. This they will enjoy much more than the stupid train and the petting zoo. There's no admission fee, the apples are the same ones you get at [expensive supermarket] for a lot less, and the people are super-nice. It is a really special place. read more

This place is great. I went with my girlfriend on a beautiful fall day. Despite the perfect weather, this place was not crowded at all. It was our first visit to Autumn Hills, and compared to other PYO places, the trees here have far more apples, and the orchard itself is more pleasant, with a big variety of types and all in very good shape. It's pleasant enough to just hang out and have a picnic in the orchard, and then stroll back with your bag of apples at the end. Great spot. read more

We came here again this year after a wonderful time last year. As others have said, it has gorgeous views, delicious apples (and some other fruit like plums and rasberries), and feels non-commercial. I'm not sure if it's actually a family operation but it sure feels like one. Drumlin afficianados will especially love it. read more

It is such a pleasure to pick apples here. A short walk up hill and the views of Boston are stunning! They have a nice selection of different apples, those you know and many more that you just can't help but fill your bags to try. We always loose track of time and take too many pictures while walking through the rows. When you are done it is fun to see all their ducks and geese running loose around the barn. It has become an inportant part of our fall tradition with the kids. read more