10 places to pick apples within 2 hours of Indy
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Picking adorable apples at Tuttle Orchards is good for the soul. Photo: Justin L. Mack/Axios
Apple picking season is here, and Central Indiana is rolling in places where Hoosiers can bag a bushel.
The big picture: While it hasn't always felt like fall lately, many local varieties are ready to harvest in mid- to late-September.
- According to Purdue Extension, Indiana's most popular varieties are Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Jonathan, Gala, Rome and Fuji.
Pro tip: If you want to preserve your apples, certain varieties have different recommended methods.
- Purdue Extension recommends varieties that are crisp, firm and not mealy textured for freezing. Think Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, Jonathan, York Imperial and Granny Smith.
- For canning, reach for Jonathan, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Braeburn, Crispin or York Imperial.
- Applesauce is best with sweet, juicy, and crisp apples like Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, Jonathan, Fuji, York Imperial and McIntosh. For a more tart flavor, add 1 to 2 pounds of tart apples to every 3 pounds of sweeter fruit.
Zoom in: We've rounded up 10 orchards within two hours of Indy where you can pick your own apples.
A popular spot for fall fun in Indiana for nearly 100 years, Tuttle Orchards is a year-round attraction that also features a farm store with more than 2,000 products, a pumpkin patch and can't-miss glazed apple doughnuts.
Stop by: 5717 N. 300 W., Greenfield
- Open 9am to 7pm Monday-Saturday.
- Free admission. Apple picking bags cost $8, $16 or $25.
This working orchard and cider mill has 37 different varieties of u-pick apples, multiple fall festivals and a mobile app to track what apples are ripe for picking.
Stop by: 19975 Hamilton Boone Road, Sheridan
- Open 10am to 7pm Thursday-Saturday and 1pm to 7pm Sunday.
- Admission is $12 on weekdays and $16 on weekends online. Gate prices are $14 and $18.50.
- Apple orchard access gets you a 1/4 peck of u-pick apples with paid admission.
Home to an apple festival and craft fair with more than 90 vendors, Anderson Orchard has nearly 30 varieties of apples that you can pick yourself or buy in the apple barn. See all their varieties here.
Stop by: 369 E. Greencastle Road, Mooresville
- Open 8am to 8pm every day. U-pick ends at 7pm.
- Free admission. Contact for apple picking prices.
More than 20 apple varieties are available for public picking, and fall attractions like apple cannons and hayrides are available through Nov. 1.
Stop by: 2304 E Main St., Danville
- Open 9am to 6pm Monday-Saturday and noon to 6pm Sunday. The apple orchard closes at 5pm.
- Admission is $10 on weekdays and $14 on weekends. Purchase apple picking bags for $10, $17 or $30.
Grab a wagon and explore more than 40 acres of apple trees consisting of over 20 varieties to choose from. After burning all those calories walking, put them back on with some homemade fudge from the country store.
Stop by: 10721 N. 850 W., Fairland
- Open 9am to 6pm every day.
- Free admission. Contact for apple picking bag prices.
Along with plenty of apples to pick, McClure's has attracted crowds with its famous apple dumplings and a selection of hard cider and wine.
Stop by: 5054 N. U.S. Highway 31, Peru
- The apple barn is open 11am to 6pm every day.
- U-pick apples are available Friday evenings and weekends only.
- Free admission. Contact for apple picking prices.
About 20 of Kercher's 300 acres are dedicated to growing 19 different varieties of apples that are also available in the market.
Stop by: 19498 County Road 38, Goshen
- Open 9am to 6pm Monday-Saturday, noon-6pm Sunday. U-pick ends 30 minutes before closing.
- Free admission. Contact for apple picking prices.
Harvest Season is underway at Fair Oaks, giving visitors access to live music, festivals, a Halloween Trail and a season-ending pumpkin smashing event that would make Billy Corgan proud.
Stop by: 856 N. 600 E., Fair Oaks
- Open 9am to 5pm Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm Sunday.
- $5 for orchard admission. Apple bags for picking are $8 for 1/2 peck size or $12 for a full peck.
A former grain farm that has been converted into an orchard that started with just 230 trees in 1976 now has 17 acres dedicated entirely to apples.
Stop by: 2849 S Co Rd 825 E, Fillmore
- Open 10am to 9pm Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5pm Sunday.
- Free admission. Contact for apple picking prices.
Family-owned and operated since 1977, Cook's Orchard started as a hobby with the planting of 75 apple trees. Now apples are offered alongside cider, jams, jellies and local honey.
Stop by: 8724 Huguenard Road, Fort Wayne
- Open 9am to 6pm every day.
- Free admission. Contact for apple picking prices.