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Top Places To Go Apple Picking This Fall Around Denver

There is something tremendously rewarding about picking your own fruits and vegetables, however the big surprise is just how fun it is. The whole family will love heading out on the farm, hopping on a tractor and wandering all over the immense farmland looking for the perfect apples to take home. It is a treat to watch the kids delight in finding the best apples, not to mention one of the best ways to get your kids to eat more fruits and veggies. A day at the farm is perfect for all ages and for the whole family. This fall, don't let the harvest season pass you by. Take a short drive to one of these great you-pick-it farms.

Related: See our updated picks for Top Apple Picking Near Denver here.

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Happy Apple Farm in Penrose (credit: CBS)

Happy Apple Farm
1190 1st St.
Penrose, CO 81240
(719) 372-6300
happyapplefarm.com

Price: Admission and tractor ride is free, pay for only what you take home.

Happy Apple Farm is a wonderful place to bring the whole family for a day of apple picking and other farm-time fun. Early in the season, you can find Jonathan and Gala apples, while Red and Golden Delicious come a bit later. Hop on the free tractor ride, grab a few free boxes for picking, and have a blast finding fresh apples and delicious fruit. While you are there, be sure to check out the Country Store with fresh apple pie and blackberry cobbler, or take home some local honey or fresh pressed apple cider. If you head up on a weekend, you must check out the Happy Apple Farm Barbeque with apple smoked barbeque beef brisket, smoked turkey legs, and fresh roasted peppers by the bushel or bag. And if you head up in September, be sure to join in the 12th Annual Pumpkin Festival on September 15 and 16 to get your own farm fresh pumpkin.

Ya Ya Farm and Orchard
614 Ute Highway
Longmont, CO 80503
(303) 485-5585
yayafarmandorchard.com

Ya Ya Farm and Orchard is a bit closer to Denver, and also offers great apple picking and fun for the whole family. Ya Ya specializes in heirloom apples and they do require reservations to head up. They suggest that you plan about an hour for picking apples, meeting the animals, and enjoying apple cider donuts and fresh cider. At Ya Ya Farm, there are also lots of great events and celebrations all year round. On October 16th, check out the Fall Celebration with hay rides, cider pressing demonstrations, barbeque chicken and pork, and plenty of apple cider donuts. If you have a large group, be sure to check out the Nighttime Hay Ride and Camp Fire event. For $15 per adult or $10 per child, you can enjoy a hayride, campfire, apple cider and apple cider donuts under the stars for an unforgettable event that the whole family will enjoy.

Blackbridge Winery and Orchard Valley Farms
15836 Black Bridge Road
Paonia, CO 81428
(970) 527-6838
blackbridgewinery.com

Price: Pay for what you pick

At Orchard Valley Farms you can head out and pick plenty of your own fruits and vegetables in a wonderful river valley farm. Bring the whole family and everyone will have a great time wandering the farm, picking apples fresh off the tree and enjoying the beautiful Colorado sunshine. Or, if you aren't a big fan of getting your hands dirty, you can buy the fresh picked apples and just enjoy take a stroll and enjoy the gardens. The freshest apples and pears will be available for picking in September, while blackberries and pumpkins hit in late September and October. And for the adults, Blackbridge Winery is also located in the same place, so you can head up without the kids and visit the tasting room for some of Colorado's best local wines.

Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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