Family Fun: Apple Picking in Missouri
When falls drops in on Missouri, folks love to head out to the countryside and pick their own apples. There are many, many fine orchards in the state, but a few have just a little something extra that sets them above the rest. And that’s what makes them our favorite apple picking spots in Missouri.
Alldredge Orchards, Platte City, MO
Folks in the Kansas City region love to spend their autumn weekends among the trees at Alldredge Orchards in Platte City. The Orchard Cafe is a great place to find some tasty treats to bring home with you. Meanwhile, the pumpkin patch and animal barn will keep the kids happy and entertained.
Huffstutter Orchards, New Franklin, MO
For almost two decades, Huffstutter Orchards has been the go-to apple-picking spot for folks in the Columbia area. Primarily a peach orchard—they sell them commercially—they added a pick-your-own apple orchard in 2000. Huffstutter Orchards is popular, so be sure to call ahead or check their website about available varieties and when they are ready for picking.
Centennial Farms, Augusta, MO
Centennial Farms—about an hour outside of St. Louis—has been a continuously-operating family farm since 1854. They’ve been in the fruit business since 1969, when they planted their first orchards. Centennial offers several varieties of apples for picking throughout the harvest season, along with a taste of history for their visitors.
Thierbach Orchards & Berry Farm, Marthasville, MO
In central Missouri, a short drive west of St. Louis, folks flock to Thierbach Orchards and Berry Farm in Marthasville. At Thierbach, you can pick your berries, peaches, and, of course, apples. In addition to their fruit, they have several mazes and bounce attractions to ensure the kids have a good time.
West Orchards, Macon, MO
West Orchards is the largest orchard in the Macon area. It is a pick-your-own orchard that caters especially to families. In addition to the fresh, ripe apples, during harvest season, they make cider and baked goodies, as well as honey from the hives in their apiary.
Knowlan Family Farm, Burfordville, MO
With almost 30 varieties of apples gracing the limbs of its Jackson orchards, Knowlan Family Farm is an apple-picking paradise. They also offer peaches, pears, pumpkins, berries, and nectarines for your picking pleasure. In addition to their produce and animals, Knowlan Family Farm also hosts regularly scheduled activities that are fun for the whole family.
Gardener’s Orchard & Bakery, Brighton, MO
In Southwest Missouri, you can’t do much better with apple picking than Gardener’s Orchard and Bakery. They offer orchard tours, hay rides, delicious baked goods, and a dozen varieties of apples for you to pick. In July and August, you can even pick your peaches!
John & Linda's U-Pick Fruit and Berry Farm, Bates City, MO
The “something extra” that makes John and Linda's U-Pick Fruit and Berry Farm—near Bates City—one of the best apple-picking spots in Missouri is the down-home, personal experience. They will let you pick whatever is ripe, but you have to call ahead to ensure they're open to picking before you go.
Schweizer Orchards, St. Joseph, MO
Schweizer Orchards is a blufftop orchard overlooking the Missouri River in the northwestern part of the state. During the early autumn, you can pick your own apples, but they are also a full-service fruit farm that offers pick-your-own berries, peaches and pumpkins, to boot. Check out their homemade goodies inside the orchard market.
