Apple Picking in Windham, New Hampshire

Apple picking is a wonderful New England tradition and "Apple Acres," in Windham, New Hampshire, is a perfect place to spend the day with your family and friends picking apples.

Just over the Southern Massachusetts border into New Hampshire lies a sleepy little bedroom community known as Windham. Windham is a thriving community with many small lakes and ponds scattered around town. On the east side of town is a quaint, second-generation, family owned apple orchard called "Apple Acres." The apple orchard has been in operation since 1943 and is run by husband and wife team, Samuel and Jean Nassar.

As you approach "Apple Acres" from historic Searles Road you'll experience a breathtaking, panoramic view of the orchard. Once inside the orchard they offer free on-site parking, and guided tours through the facility.

"Apple Acres" is open from August to December and each month boasts a different offering.

August offerings include sweet juicy peaches and tart apple pies.

September begins their school tours where scores of area schools schedule their beginning-of-the-year fieldtrips. Weekend offerings include popcorn, hotdogs, pressed cider, and freshly baked pies. Tractor and hayrides are available for the "pick your own" customers beginning this month as well.

October's theme is Halloween, and offerings include pumpkins, squash, gourds, cornstalks, and Yankee Candles. If you look hard enough, you might even bump into a scarecrow or two.

November's theme is Thanksgiving, and offerings include jams and jellies. Pre-order your holiday pies for Thanksgiving, and load up on firewood for the upcoming winter months.

December's theme is Christmas, and offerings include Yankee Candles, donuts, and hot cider. After all, what could be more inviting than a delicious mug of fresh, hot apple cider on a crisp winter day? Don't forget to pre-order your holiday pies for Christmas.

Wander around the "Apple Acres" shop and purchase the above-mentioned goodies. They sell a variety of apples including McIntosh, Cortlands, Red, and Golden Delicious. They also have a generous selection of freshly baked pies to choose from including apple, peach, blueberry, and peach-raspberry.

The best part of this wonderful New England tradition is the time spent with family and friends strolling through the orchard engaging in what is known as the "pick your own." This entails spending quality time in the fresh air with loved ones while gathering baskets of apples to take home as souveniers of the day's visit. "Pick your own" begins in September and runs through Halloween.

Visit the "Apple Acres" website for directions, days and hours of operation, and month-by-month offerings.