Orchards Near Me
Cherry Picking in Massachusetts: What You Need to Know
Massachusetts offers plenty of options for cherry picking, from well-known destinations to smaller family-run spots. Browse every listing below, or search your ZIP code to find the nearest one.
New England and Northeast Cherry Picking
The northeastern states grow both sweet and sour cherry varieties in their orchards, with the best operations concentrated in New York's Hudson Valley, Massachusetts's Connecticut River valley, and the highlands of Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The cherry season in the Northeast runs from mid-June through early July—briefer than apple season but equally rewarding for those who plan for it. The same farms that run large apple picking programs in the fall often run quieter, more intimate cherry picking programs in early summer, offering a chance to experience orchard country when it's less crowded and the landscape is at its early-summer best. Heritage sweet varieties and old-fashioned sour pie cherries coexist at many of these farms, and the fresh-pressed cherry juice available at farm stands is worth seeking out specifically.
Best Time for Cherry Picking in Massachusetts
Mid-June through early July for the Worcester County and Connecticut River valley cherry orchards, a brief and underappreciated season.
Tips for Cherry Picking in Massachusetts
Before heading out for cherry picking anywhere in Massachusetts, a quick call or website check can save a wasted trip if conditions have changed. Early in the day tends to mean better selection and shorter lines.