Blue Jay Orchards

122-acre orchard with 20+ apple varieties & hayrides

📍 Bethel, CT

4.5 (506 Google)

📍 125 Plumtrees Rd, Bethel, CT

📞 (203) 748-0119

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Blue Jay Orchards is one of New England's most storied apple-picking destinations, with over 8,000 trees and 20+ apple varieties spread across 122 scenic acres in Bethel. Grandparents and grandkids can pick apples together in September and October, ride hayrides to the pumpkin patch on weekends, and stock up on fresh cider, pies, and donuts at the farm market. A true autumn tradition for Fairfield County families for over 70 years.

Grandparent-Friendly Details

Walk-in

Walk-ins welcome

Accessibility

Limited accessibility

Parking

Easy parking

Noise level

Quiet

Outdoor seating

Covered / shaded

Typical visit

~2 hours

Best age range

Ages 1–14

Fun Things to Do Here

Ideas to make the most of your visit to Blue Jay Orchards

Farm Scavenger Hunt

Find a tractor, a barn cat, the biggest vegetable on the property, a piece of equipment you can't name, and something that smells.

Pick a Winner

Everyone picks the best-looking apple, berry, or pumpkin — the farmer (or the grandkid) is the final judge.

Farm Math

If strawberries cost $4/lb, how many can we pick for $10? Real-world math that actually lands with kids.

Baby Name Game

Calf, piglet, lamb, kid (goat), chick — who gets them all right? Grandparents know more than they think.

What Do They Eat?

Point to every animal you see and have everyone guess what it eats before you check the sign.

Free printable: Farm Visit Scavenger Hunt

Download

Budget & Insider Tips

Grandparent Money Tips

• Weekday farm visits skip the weekend "agri-tourism" event surcharges that can double the admission price.
• Buying direct from the farm stand usually gets you twice the produce for the same price as a grocery store — and you picked it yourself.
• Many farms have a free walking area separate from paid pick-your-own. You can still see animals and explore without paying to pick.

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