The 15 Best Apple Orchards in Kentucky (& Southern Indiana) plus a Map
Galas. Honeycrisps. Pink Ladies. Pie, cider, donuts, butter, caramel… Is your mouth watering yet?? It’s fall, y’all, and that means it’s time to go apple picking at one of the best orchards in Kentucky! We have rounded up all the best orchards in Kentucky (and Southern Indiana) so you can really get your fall on. Plus, scroll to the bottom of this post to find an interactive map.
Excited for fall activities? Check out a few of our other posts:
- 35 Epic Pumpkin Patches in Kentucky to Visit This Fall
- Fall in Kentucky: 14 Cozy Things to Do this Autumn
- 11 Terrifying Haunted Houses in Louisville, Kentucky, & Indiana
- 25+ Fall Festivals in Louisville
Apple Orchards near Louisville
In a time where it’s so easy to be removed from our food sources, sometimes it’s nice to get to the core of it all. While Louisville may be in the more northern metropolitan part of the state, there are certainly plenty of agricultural excursions to be had. Best part is all your scenic drives will be gorgeous among the rolling hills. Enjoy the sights as you venture to the orchards just outside of Louisville, Kentucky.
Mulberry Orchard
Located in Shelbyville just 45 minutes away from Louisville, Mulberry Orchard is your ultimate destination for all the exciting varieties of apples. With 16 different varieties of apples (plus a bunch of yummy peaches in the summer!) and some of the best apple cider donuts we’ve ever had – no, really, they’re worth the trip alone – this is one of our favorite apple orchards near Louisville!
The season begins with Gala and HoneyCrisp for the August harvest and continues with late season picks like the Gold Rush and Cameo varieties that go all the way until October.
Beyond delicious apples, you can also take a hayride through the orchard, visit barnyard animals, pick pumpkins and have an adventure in the corn maze, and of course, snack on apple cider donuts and caramel apples from the market.
Mulberry Orchard is open from 9am to 6pm Wednesday through Saturday, and open 1pm to 5pm on Sundays.
- Psst: Just down the street from Mulberry Orchard is another fantastic farm called Gallrein Farms. While they don’t have an orchard, you’ll find a pumpkin patch and tons of fall fun. Visit both for the ultimate autumn day!
Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyards
For many Louisvillians, it’s actually a little easier to head up to Huber’s Orchard in Borden, Indiana, than it is to stay within Kentucky state lines. But if you’re down for a small road trip, Indiana is a beautiful setting of hills and farmland (and A LOT of corn fields!).
The ridiculously curvy winding roads leading up to the top of the hill of Starlight, Indiana is a peaceful gorgeous journey unto itself in the 35 minute drive from Louisville. Huber’s Orchard and Winery holds such a special place in my heart, because I grew up among the twisting hills of Floyds Knobs before moving to Louisville.
Over the years, the Huber’s family has grown far beyond their u-pick orchard to include 2 restaurants, a winery, and a distillery, and is still one of my favorite places to visit any time of the year.
For apple season, the Galas ripen around mid-August and the season continues until about mid-October with Goldrush apples. And if you’re in need of some inspiration for all these beautiful varieties, check out the country store. Packed with frosted apple breads, smooth spreadable apple butter, and even ciders sold by the glass jug.
While you’re visiting for fall fun, take a hayride and visit the family fun activity playground for peak pumpkin picking. And for more *ahem* grown-up fun, enjoy a tasting at the thriving vineyard at Huber’s Winery. Try varietals like Chardonnay, Malbec and Pinot Gris and pick up a bottle to take home in the building across from the country store. Keep an eye out for the seasonal release Pop’s Reserve – we Southern Indiana locals go crazy for the sweet red wine.
The Starlight Distillery is the newest venture of the Huber’s brand, distilling Brandy, Whiskey, Rum, Gin and Vodka. Tours and tastings can be booked in advance on their website, as well as a full list of their spirit offerings. There’s so much to choose from, but I like to go for the Applejack Brandy, because I mean I’ve been picking their apples since I was a kid!
So make the trek over the river and come check it out for yourself, chances are you might run into me while you’re there. I’ll be the one sitting on the patio sipping Strawberry wine and doing my best Moira Rose impression.
Reid’s Orchard
An extended and scenic hour and half drive from the city, Reid’s Orchard is the small town mom-n-pop farm of our nostalgia. The orchard sits just off of the Ohio River in Owensboro, Kentucky.
At Reid’s, apples are the passion of choice. Here you’ll find all the fresh varieties we’ve all come to know and love. Pick yourself a mellow Red Delicious, a sweetly crisp Yellow Delicious, or even a tart Jonathan among other classic styles.
Their passion for apples is celebrated every year with their annual Apple Festival, usually held near the end of October. The festival includes 20 different food vendors, 100 different craft booths, and lots of entertainment and carnival rides.
However, starting in 2023, the festival will be shifting from the Orchard to the Lions Club Fairgrounds in Davies County. They still promise to provide the same family fun atmosphere and experience that the Reid Apple Festival has been known for since 1986.
If you prefer to stay on the orchard grounds, there are lots of options for picking. Starting in mid-May all the way until October, seasonal picking is offered for both fruits and vegetables as well as flowers. The orchard grows strawberries, apples, peaches, Mums, bedding plants and lot of vegetables and of course, the fall favorite pumpkin, so best to make your visits throughout the year.
Reid’s Orchard is closed January-March, and the children’s play area Reidland is open May-June for a few weeks then all September and October.
McGlasson Farms
McGlasson Farms is the little roadside market on the side of Route 8 in Hebron, Kentucky, which sits right along River Road about an hour and half from Louisville. The roadside stand opens in July and operates until the U-Pick pumpkin season is over in October.
The long-standing farm has been around since the 1800s and has been through six generations of family farming, so it’s probably one of the oldest orchards in Kentucky! That being said, it’s important to remember when you’re visiting, they only accept cash. Just part of the charm of the old-school traditions.
Fresh apples aside, the roadside shed also stocks all of our favorite sticky accouterments like fruited jams, honey, maple syrups, and caramel dipped apples.
If you’re close to the area you can also take advantage of their weekly CSA boxes, packed with fresh farm picks. The CSA boxes go from around July to October, and sign up can be found through their website.
McGlasson is open from July to the end of November, 7 days a week. Mon- Fri 9-6, Sat & Sun 9-5.
Ayres Family Orchard
About an hour away from Louisville – and an hour away from Lexington – in Owenton, Kentucky, Ayres Family Orchard really puts the “family” in Family Orchard. Recently downsized from about 1000 trees to about 200 trees, Ayres keeps a close eye throughout the growing season, sharing updates on their Facebook page about the progress of the crops.
Their facebook page is quite active with transparency on how the current harvest looks and tastes, as well as updates on when you can find them at the Owen County Farmers Market for fresh picked goodies. It’s also important to check out the page before you visit, as they sell out early in the season.
Because of the downsizing, certain varieties previously available are no longer grown. But I don’t seem to mind because classics like the McIntosh Red, which is a sweet and slightly spiced flavor, pairs great with anything that has cinnamon. As well as the Enterprise apples that have a thick skin with a tart bite.
The entire family run orchard sits on a hilltop that overlooks the Kentucky River Valley. Clearly this orchard is just screaming to be the backdrop of a Hallmark movie. Obviously the overworked city girl travels from the city to the charming family run orchard only to fall in love and realize the only things that matter in life are family and her six pack dreamy farmer boy love.
Hinton’s Orchard & Farm Market
About an hour from Louisville or about an hour and a half from Lexington, Hinton’s Orchard is the fruit and veggie-packed farm in Hodgenville with an accompanying market in Elizabethtown.
And while you can’t U-pick your own apples, if you tend to like your apples on the tart and sour side, you’re gonna love the selection. Early season Lodis, Summer Macs, and even classic Granny Smiths are available from June to October.
But if your perfect pie recipe includes a balance of tart and sweet, you can also find sweeter picks like Galas, Mutsus and Pink Ladies. Making choosing apples as easy as apple pie.
Hinton’s operates year round with fruits, vegetables and even flowers from spring to fall with Christmas trees in the winter. They’re also a member of the Kentucky Proud Program, which is the best way to support local farms in the bluegrass.
Hinton’s Farm is open Monday – Saturday 9am to 6pm. And Hinton’s Farm Market is open Monday – Saturday 9am to 6pm as well as Sunday from 1pm to 6pm.
James Bennett’s Orchard
In the super small town of Buffalo, Kentucky (we’re talking like a population of 500 type of small town), is the hometown speciality- James Bennett’s Orchard.
Buffalo is about an hour outside of Louisville, and although the town is technically unincorporated, it’s only a 7 min drive from Hodgenville. So if you were really feeling frisky, you could totally hit up Hinton’s Orchard and James Bennett’s Orchard in the same afternoon.
Bennett’s Orchard specializes in apples and peaches with a harvest season between June and November for their hand picked varieties. Early season favorites like glossy Redfrees and hazy Paulareds are ideal for baking and applesauces. While Bennett’s Prima, Gala, and Honeycrisp are deliciously biteable directly from the branch.
This is the ideal stop if you’re on a small town tour of the rolling hills. The simplicity of the orchard and store front cut right to the heart of what makes small town America a unique experience.
James Bennett’s Orchard is open at 8am Monday – Saturday and closes at 6pm everyday except Saturday when they close at 5pm. They are closed all day Sunday.
Apple Orchards near Lexington
Don’t be afraid to travel a bit farther to take in all the benefits of the Kentucky (or Indiana) scenery on your quest to find the perfect apple orchard! Galloping horses and bluegrass meadows are pretty typical depending on which route you take. So sit back and enjoy the journey to the best orchards in Kentucky!
Eckert’s Orchard
Eckert’s Orchard is located about 25 minutes outside the city of Versailles. Now if you’re not a Kentucky native, just know that it is not pronounced like the fancy Marie Antoinette château of France. Here we literally say VER-SALES. It’s very Kentucky, and we love it.
Eckert’s Orchard is one of the most charming orchards in Kentucky to walk up to. The main building is an expansive barn painted in the most classic shade of country red with a hunter-green roof for full country pickin’ vibes.
Which is perfect because Eckert’s is not playing around when it comes to all the red shades we all know and love. Maybe you’re in the mood for a bright ruby colored Fuji variety, for a classic super juicy and super sweet combo for snacking. Or maybe you like a combo of the rose colored chartreuse blend of a Zestar apple, with its light and crisp texture. And hey maybe you’re ready to branch out and get adventurous with the Arkansas Black, that is so deeply purple/red it almost looks like a plum, which are perfect for baking rich apple pies.
Whatever shade you love, Eckert’s is the place to be. If you’re variety specific, check out their harvest schedule. Zestars are harvested early around July or August, while Fuji’s ripen around October. Just in time to blend into the pumpkin season which starts in late September.
Field passes for picking varies depending on day and time, but is usually around $3. So make a day of it! During the apple and pumpkin season there are weekend bonfires and corn mazes, as well as a child friendly playground from Tuesday to Sunday. Eckert’s is closed Mondays.
Evans Orchard & Cider Mill
Just 30 minutes outside Lexington at Evan’s Orchard & Cider Mill in Georgetown, Kentucky, you can pick your own apples and pumpkins. The wide slate barn sells some of the best examples of what an apple can become when it reaches its true potential.
Spreadable apple butter, cinnamon-tossed apple cider donuts, fried apple pies and wrapped apple dumplings are just a handful of snacks you’re gonna want to stock up on. Not to mention the signature spiced cider to wash it all down.
If you do get inspired to replicate any of the delicious treats on your own, the u-pick apple schedule is quite comprehensive. The schedule starts with Golden Delicious varieties mid September, all the way until Arkansas Black picking in early November. In between you’ll also find families like Mutsu, Suncrisps, and Gold Rush picks.
The family friend activities are $8 for kids and $5 for adults, and include a full list of activities, like the apple cider slider and petting zoo. Just note the Hayrides, Corn maze and apple canons are not included in the activity tickets, and are additional.
And if you live close by, you might be interested in the Farm Fun season pass. Two sessions, one for the May-August season and the second for the September-October session, you can bring the kiddos every Tuesday-Sunday for maximum apple-made memories.
Sandusky’s Apples & Ginseng
An hour and a half from Lexington, in Liberty, Kentucky is the orchard Sandusky’s Apples & Ginseng. As Sandusky’s would say, these apples are grown, cared for, picked and sold with the “Sandusky Family Charm”- now that’s wholesome.
Some of their meticulously cared for apples include late season Arkansas Blacks, which are the deeply dark apple that just tastes like a dessert with each bite. Or the Liberty and Winesaps for that crispy tart indulgence. But the specialty variety has to be the Braeburn, which is sweet but juicy with a crisp skin to bite into. While you can’t pick them yourself, you know that these apples are going to be stunning and unique.
And if you’re into apple festivals, check out the Casey County Apple Festival. Sandusky’s provides the apples for the festival, which is A LOT, especially with the making of the World’s Largest Apple Pie.
Sandusky’s is open seven days a week. Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm, and Sundays from 1pm to 6pm.
Haney’s Appledale Farm
Follow the mural of dancing apples and buzzing bees that welcomes you as “The Apple of My Eye” to the 450-acre farmland, Haney’s Appledale Farm. The orchard and roadside market are about an hour and 45 minutes from Lexington in Nancy, Kentucky.
The orchard has grown from the five generations long history, to include a café, donut shop, and a newly renovated pie shop. That’s right, a whole shop of handheld fried apple pies, classic style whole apple pies, and even frozen take and bake pies for pique warm gooeyness at home. Just don’t forget to pair it with an apple cider slushie before you leave.
If you’re more of the homemade-from-scratch kinda gal, and forging for the perfect apple is a must, you’ll be happy to see that Haney’s grows over 25 different varieties of apples. They also allow a u-pick experience at certain times of the year.
The hardest decision is what variety to pick? Golden skinned picks like Blondees, Grimes Goldens, and Golden Delicious are great for the soft and juicy style. Or if you’re like me always showing up hungry, the hybrid red, pink, and yellow streaked varieties like the Pixie Crunch and Summer Champion seem to always strike that balance of both sweet and tart with each bite.
Haney’s opens at 9am Monday through Saturday, and at 1pm on Sunday. They close everyday at 5pm.
Stepping Stone Farm
You may have seen or heard about Reed Valley Orchard in past years, however recently the owners have decided to retire and the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree to new owners, Stepping Stone Farm.
Both Reed Valley property and original Stepping Stone Farm property are located in Paris, Kentucky about 3 miles apart from each other, and about 30 minutes outside of Lexington.
Things can get a little confusing with the new ownership, as the OG stepping stone property started as a sunflower farm and doesn’t have an apple orchard attached. However, since the new property has been added to the family, Stepping Stone now stocks the fresh picked apples in their market Thursdays through Mondays.
But for the traditional U-pick experience we have come to know and love from Reed Valley, Stepping Stone Farm opens the orchards on Monday, Thursdays and Saturdays during the harvest season, from June to November.
The amount of varieties grown is truly impressive with how extensive the offerings are. Summer Monarchs and Daybreaks as well as crispy fall favorites Brushy Mountains and Sundowners are just some of the best picks up for grabs.
The original Stepping Stone Farm is open Thursday- Monday from 10am to 6pm. The former Reed Valley location is open Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays 9am to 5pm.
Apple Orchards in Southern Indiana
Just over the river, you’ll find a few apple orchards worthy of crossing a bridge or two. Here are a couple of picks.
The Apple Works
An hour and a half outside of Louisville in Trafalgar, Indiana you’ll find the one stop shop for all your apple needs at The Apple Works. This large crimson red barn with the hunter green roof, is as country as apple pie. Apple Works was founded with the goal to raise the absolute best apples possible, and it’s easy to see why.
With over 50 varieties of apples to choose from, you might be surprised that comparing apples to apples isn’t as similar as you thought. Though they don’t have U-Pick apples, the staff is there to help you pick out the perfect apple for whatever you may need. Apple Works is also particularly proud of their niche varieties like the Crimson Crisps and Splendours.
Need inspiration for what to do with all the yummy reds, golds, and pinks? Tempt yourself with their Dutch apple bars, hot apple dumpling al a mode, and even apple donuts with a cider slushie on the side.
And if your Great British Bake Off spirit kicks in mid bite, Apple Works also carries all the supplies you need to recreate these scrumptious delicacies. Peelers, corers, slicers, and even mixes are available to get you going the moment you check out.
The Apple Works is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
Appleacres
About an hour and half north of Louisville, in the “Limestone capital of the world” Bedford, Indiana, Appleacres is the charming small town orchard that’ll have you humming Johnny Appleseed all the livelong day. I mean what more could you need with the sun, the rain, and an appleseed?
With a name like Appleacres, it’s pretty clear to see apples are a first love here. At Appleacres apples are celebrated in all shapes and sizes. Hand dipped caramel apples, spreadable apple butter, and even frozen apple shakes.
But if we’re comparing apples to apples, the real treat is the apple cider. Sold in both half and full gallon, the cider is fresh squeezed and pasteurized. Meaning you can stock up and freeze for a long time! Which is perfect, because with both traditional cider and a cherry apple cider, it’s too hard to decide which one to drink first!
And unlike most small run farms, Appleacres market is open year round! Monday through Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and Sundays from 1pm to 6pm. However if you’re jonesing for the freshest picks of the season, harvest starts after labor day with Lodis, Mantets, and Redfrees.
So, how do you like them apples?
Map of Apple Orchards in Kentucky
Here’s a map to help you find your way! Be sure to bookmark this page so you can come back to it later.
Which of these orchards in Kentucky do you want to visit first? What’s your favorite kind of apple? Drop us a comment below!
Before you go, be sure to check out these other posts:
- 35 Epic Pumpkin Patches in Kentucky to Visit This Fall
- Fall in Kentucky: 14 Cozy Things to Do this Autumn
- 11 Terrifying Haunted Houses in Louisville, Kentucky, & Indiana
FOLLOW US
Psst: Did you find this post informative? Save it for later on Pinterest!
