September and October are our favorite months to tour the Pennsylvania u-pick farms for apple and pumpkin picking. Even a day in the fields can make a long weekend in the great family-friendly city of Philadelphia seem like a full vacation.

So whether you are looking to pick fruit, teach the kids about Mother Nature, go on a hayride, get lost in a corn maze, or buy fresh baked goods, my directory of local Philadelphia area u-pick farms has you covered.  

For a complete guide to apple picking orchards and farms across the country, visit check out the FTF Guide to Top U-Pick Farms in the US.

Apple Picking in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area

In the spring and fall there are many seasonal fruit picking opportunities that are great for the whole family. Several farms and orchards are within a 60-mile radius of Philadelphia and, since the economics of family farming have changed so much, you'll find that most of our favorites offer a surprising variety of produce that they pick, or you pick.

Before you head out, consider what you'll do with the fruit or vegetables you pick and collect some recipes. With apples, the most popular varieties for eating include the Macintosh, Empire, Fuji and Honeycrisp. If sauces or pies are in the plan (and you and the kids can assemble them and put them in the freezer to be baked at a later date), try the Cortland, Golden Delicious, Russet and Mutsu. Berries will need to be consumed quickly -- fresh or in pies -- while coming home with too many vegetables gives you an opportunity to try different soups.

One farm we like is Active Acres which has a busy strawberry picking business that runs during the summer. All season long, activities available range from meeting barnyard animals and visiting a petting zoo to daytime and nighttime hayrides and pumpkin picking. They're open late in the fall to offer families the chance to cut your own Christmas tree.

At Homestead Orchards for example, picking pumpkins and apples is enhanced by popcorn, gourd, and Indian corn picking!  This orchard, one that is very popular with local schools for field trips, even offers a Scarecrow making workshop.  Contacting each of these farms in advance will allow potential visitors to learn about their specific programs.

Not exactly in the Philly flight path, but very close to Gettysburg for those making a historical visit, Hollabaugh Brothers Fruit Farm in Biglerville was voted one of the USA Today 'top 10 apple picking orchards' in the U.S. This enormous farm is famous for its farmstand which boasts a wide variety of fruits and vegetables all grown on property, as well as a U Pick Bin where you can reach into a trunk full of apples and select your favorite varietal. Throughout September, expect to find Hollabaugh's home-grown peaches, nectarines, pears and Asian pears.

U-Pick Farms for Pennsylvania Families & Visitors

Of the many orchards and produce farms in the eastern Pennsylvania region, we liked the following the best for family staycations or weekend getaways.

Active Acres Farm, 881 Highland Road, Newtown, PA 18940 - 215/860-6855

Hollabaugh Brothers Fruit Farm, 545 Carlisle Rd., Biglerville PA 17307 - 717/677-9494

Homestead Orchards, 328 Twinbrook Road, Perkasie, PA 18944 - 215/257-9286

Merrymead Farm & Country Market, 2222 Valley Forge Road, Lansdale, PA 19446 - 610/584-4410  (Note that this dairy farm is packed with Holstein cattle and other farm animals, and does year round family programs in addition to a big pumpkin harvest festival.)

For family-friendly hotel ideas in the Philadelphia area, check out Family Travel Forum's reviews.