Last year, Tougas Family Farm, a 42-year-old farm just 45-minutes west of Boston ranked as the best apple orchard in America. This year, Libby & Son U-Picks in Limerick, Maine took home the number one spot!
The farm boasts 15-acres and over 5,500 trees for apple picking. The season at the farm in Limerick runs from mid-August through the end of October and the farm has dozens of varieties of apples to pick from. The vast size and abundant variation are few of the many reasons USA Today readers chose this farm as the best in the country for apple picking.
Libby & Son U-Picks in Limerick, Maine
Family-owned and operated since the 1950s, Libby & Son U-Picks, has empowered New Englanders to harvest their own produce for decades. The vast farm offers opportunities for blueberry picking in the summer and raspberry and apple picking in the fall.
The farm focuses on fruits, meaning there is always a rotating selection of berries, plums, peaches, and of course, apple for visitors to pick. The apple varieties in season at the moment include Honeycrisp, Mcintosh, Cortland, Gala, Blondee, and Crab.
Macoun, Empire, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Fuji, Red Delicious, and Northern Spy apples have yet to ripen. The farm expects those varieties to be ready for picking in mid-October.
Farm family fun this fall
Of course, the brimming apple supply is not the only reason Libby & Son U-Picks ranked as America’s favorite apple orchard. Throughout the fall, the farm hosts seasonal activities like serving hot homemade cider donuts, fresh fruit smoothies, kettle corn, offering shuttle rides, hosting live entertainment, and it even has a pavilion and picnic area for dining.
On weekends, visitors can take a break from picking and munch on piping hot wood fired pizza or enjoy grilled smash burgers.
About USA Today 10 Best
The USA Today 10 Best Reader’s Choice awards include a sequence of nominations and votes to select the top 10 apple orchards in America.
First a group of nominees are submitted to the publication by a panel of travel and lifestyle experts. 10Best editors then narrow down the final nominees. These nominees have an open voting period in which USA Today readers can vote for the final winners.
Results are collected and the top 10 winners are announced.
Maine’s Libby and Sons U-Picks is a 2-hour drive from Boston.
Find the farm at 86 Sawyer Mountain Rd, Limerick, ME 04048
Tuesday- Thursday 9 AM- 4 PM
Friday- Sunday 9 AM-5 PM