Bishop's Orchards - Guilford, Connecticut

There are moments in the day where I stop and look around, where I think to myself "I am so freaking happy". 

Example

 I'm walking through an orchard with my husband who is holding our son, who is babbling and screeching in his dinosaur dialect. It's 73 degrees a week from Halloween and the sun is shining on the orchard. The foliage is offering shades of golden yellows and deep reds in the background. It's Indian summer almost into November. It's almost Friday.

These "surges of happiness" are frequent when traveling somewhere new wandering around a new town or new hike, but lately, it doesn't take as much. Twenty minutes from home at a nearby farm with my little family on a beautiful day is all it took. Everyone talks about how hard it is to raise kids and rightfully so, but I'm here to remind you that it is so damn fun too. Whitney just makes the little things like picking apples on a Thursday so much sweeter.

First Impressions

If you are local to the Connecticut shoreline, Bishop's Orchards (celebrating 150 years this year) is the perfect place to experience your slice of iconic New England in Autumn. 

Their main apple orchard is massive with a large variety of apples, well marked and labeled ($22 for a bag of apples). There are hayrides for the kids, wagons and wheelbarrows for toting back your bounty. There is also a corn maze at the main orchard which is perfect for the family or a couple/date day. Back at the farm store across town, you can find the pumpkin patch and the Little Red Bar(n) (excellent branding, guys). 

They have carving pumpkins, decorative pumpkins, mums, cider, sweet treats, and more at the pumpkin patch. There is also an outdoor area at the bar(n) with food trucks, drinks, a band, and seating (open Friday to Sunday). The new Wine Shed serves up Bishop’s own and other CT Wines, Local Craft Beer from Thimble Island Brewery, nonalcoholic beer from Athletic Brewing, their famous Froses and charcuterie snacks from Boar’s Head.

The farm store/grocery store is also perfect for any last-minute supplies needed for apple crisp or pumpkin pie. Oh - and let's not forget the ice cream shop. If you want to skip the crowds, head to the orchard during the week. If you want to enjoy the music and the bar(n), head over on the weekend but expect it to be busy. 

We had such a great time and are making plans to go back before apple season ends, hopefully on the weekend to enjoy the bar(n) and bands. 

Need to Know

Pick Your Own (Fall Season) Apples and Pumpkins

Apple Picking and Corn Maze:  10am-5pm every day

     Main Orchard in Guilford at 526 New England Road (by the Guilford High School) 

Pumpkin Patch: 9am-6pm every day 

    Next to the Farm Market, at 1355 Boston Post Road. 

Call 203-458-PICK for information & updates on our 24-hr line.

LITTLE RED bar[n]

By the pumpkin patch at the Farm Market, 1355 Boston Post Road

Fridays 4-10pm

Saturdays 11am-10pm

Sundays 11am-9pm

Dogs

Unfortunately, fido has to stay home for this one. Dog's aren't allowed at the orchard or at the red bar(n) or pumpkin patch. 

Kids
This is a super kid-friendly event and between the hayrides and the bar(n) there is something for littles and grown-ups alike. Our jogging stroller was perfect for getting our little guy (and bounty of apples) around the properties.