The late summer and early fall is apple picking time and u-pick apple farms and pumpkin patches surround the city of Seattle. Did you know that Washington State is the country's Apple Capital? It's true, the state produces over a hundred million bushels of apples annually.

The best apple picking around the Seattle metropolitan area is in King, Kitsap, and Snohomish counties.  So whether you are looking to pick fruit, go on a hayride, or buy fresh baked goods, Family Travel Forum has you covered.  

Before you shell out $15 for an empty bushel bag (typically how the farms charge for what you pick) , keep in mind that different varieties are better suited for different purposes. Honeycrisp, Fuji, Macintosh, Empire, Idared, Red Delicious, and the Jonathon are great for eating. If sauces or pies are in the plan, try the Cortland, the Golden Delicious, the Russet, and the Mutsu.

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 Seattle Metro Area

There are several apple orchards and pumpkin patches located in Seattle's surrounding counties.  Rosabella's Garden Bakery offers a wide variety of apples for picking, as well as a hard cider and wine shop. Be sure to stop at her gift shop for a large assortment of jam & jellies on your way out! If harvesting 25 different varieties of apples sounds too challenging, you can even purchase them off the front porch at Rosabella's by the pound and box.

Although Yakima is not very close by (allow 2 1/2 hours for the 150-mile drive), we want to shout out to Johnson Orchards, where fruit is in season almost all year. Visit USA Today's pick as a 'top 10 apple picking spot' for cherries from mid-June to late July. You and the kids can get your hands stained by the Bing, Rainier, Van, Lapin, Skeena and Sweetheart varieties. Come back in August for apricots, peaches or nectarines, as well as pluots, plums and pears. As for apples they've grown since 1904, in addition to the many varietals in a state that produces half the apples sold in the U.S., you can enjoy Johnson's beautiful rolling hills, changing leaves, and classic ca. 1916 apple warehouse.

Don't Forget the Pumpkins!

There are many purely-pumpkin patches in Seattle's surrounding counties. Carleton Farm promises pumpkins by the thousands in addition to their other vegetables. Enjoy a free hayride on a real John Deere tractor out to the pumpkin patches during weekends in October. After you find your choice pumpkins, have fun with the pumpkin cannon.  Brave little ones can hang out for the Haunted Maze, but note that the new play areas and corn maze have an admission fee.

South 47 Farm is a community supported farm coop that uses organic growing methods for pesticide-free produce. For the Halloween season, South 47 opens one section, the Pumpkin Farm and corn maze run by Dr. Maze. They also have some programming to introduce farming to kids.

Remlinger Farms, home to the northwest's largest Pumpkin Harvest Festival, offers a very commercial Family Fun Park with over 25 kid-friendly rides and attractions. Admission to the Fun Park includes pony rides, a 4H Animal Barnyard, authentic half-sized steam train rides, and more. Visit the farm's website for more detailed information on seasonal celebrations such as their Beer and Wine Tastings.

In addition to its pumpkin patches, the Carpinito Brothers Farm, which grows tomatoes and other vegetables, invites families to get lost in their corn maze.

Favorite Washington State Pick Your Own Fruit Farms

Carleton Farm 830 Sunnyside Blvd, Everett, Washington 98205 - 425/334-2297

Carpinito Brothers Farm, 1148 Central Ave North, Kent, Washington 98032- 253/854-5692

Johnson Orchards, 4906 Summitview Avenue, Yakima, Washington - 509/966-7479

Remlinger Farms 32610 NE 32nd St, Carnation, Washington 98014- 425/333-4135

Rosabella's Garden Bakery, 8933 Farm to Market Road, Bow, Washington 98232 - 360/766-6360

South 47 Farm, 15410 NE 124th St, Redmond, Washington 98052- 425/869-9777