One apple tree in Massachusetts was planted in 1912, and it still grows fruit today. It’s called the oldest commercially planted McIntosh tree, and its farm also makes cider donuts.
I love that a donut can come with that kind of backstory.
Then the numbers get silly. One farm on this list reportedly sold about 450,000 cider donuts in a single year.
That’s a lot of cinnamon sugar on a lot of sweaters.
A cider donut sounds simple. Apple cider goes into the dough, and cinnamon sugar often finishes the job.
Some farms even make blueberry, pumpkin, or maple bacon versions when the season allows.
So I went hunting for the orchards and farm stands honestly worth a drive down a few back roads. Which one will you hit first, and how many will you eat before you get home?
Bartlett’s Orchard, Richmond, MA
Few donut stops come with a view this big. The Berkshire hills roll out around this family-run orchard like someone painted a postcard and forgot to stop.
Cider donuts are the signature here, and they share the counter with other fresh baked sweets. You can wash one down with hot cider, which feels like the correct legal move in October.
The market side keeps things grounded with fresh produce. So you can grab apples for a pie and still pretend the donuts were an afterthought.
Picking season adds more to the trip. Pick-your-own apples are the main draw, and you can also pick flowers if your car needs a little color.
Early birds get a nice perk on weekdays. The doors open at 7 AM Monday through Friday, so a sunrise donut run is fully possible.
Weekends start at 8 AM, and Saturdays tend to bring the biggest crowds. A Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday morning usually means a calmer stop.
Parking is free in the lot, and a visit here can be quick. Still, those hill views make it hard to leave on schedule.
Address: 575 Swamp Rd, Richmond, MA 01254
Breezeland Orchards Inc, Warren, MA
Hay ride out, donuts back in. That’s the simple, very satisfying loop at this orchard in the quiet town of Warren.
A wagon carries you to the orchard for apple picking. Then you roll back to the store, where hot cider and cider donuts wait for you.
The order of events matters here. Picking first means you’ve technically earned your donut, and nobody needs to know how many apples you actually picked.
The store carries a solid product line beyond the fryer favorites. It’s worth a slow lap before you head to the register.
The cider donuts have earned a strong reputation around this part of central Massachusetts. Folks in the area treat them as the standard other donuts get measured against.
Timing is easy to plan. The orchard opens daily from 10 AM to 6 PM, so a late breakfast or afternoon snack both work.
Warren sits in a rural stretch of the state, away from the big tourist traffic. That makes the drive part of the fun, with farm fields and country roads along the way.
A free parking lot keeps arrival simple. Bring a bag for apples and a napkin for the sugar.
Address: 1791 Southbridge Rd, Warren, MA 01083
Wilson Farm Inc, Lexington, MA
Back in 1884, this farm got its start, and five generations later it’s still in the family. That’s a lot of harvests before anyone thought about cider donuts.
Now the bakery turns them out fresh, and you can even watch them being made. You can buy them in 6-packs, which is either generous or dangerous.
Fall weekends bring warm cider and donuts at the stand. Kids can roam the pumpkin village, and the pumpkin wall makes a fun photo backdrop.
The bakery goes far beyond the fryer. Look for chocolate whoopie pies, apple babka, apple crisp, pumpkin pie, and pumpkin whoopie pies.
The market itself feels like a serious grocery run in disguise. You’ll find local produce, house-baked bread, take-home meals, hen house eggs, and New England meats and cheeses.
Curious how the crops grow? The farm uses Integrated Pest Management to keep chemical use low, and free walking tours explain more.
It’s open year-round, daily from 9 AM to 7 PM. That makes it one of the easier Massachusetts stops for a donut craving in March.
Free on-site parking helps on busy autumn days. Grab a 6-pack and maybe some dinner too.
Address: 10 Pleasant St, Lexington, MA 02421
Russell Orchards, Ipswich, MA
An old barn from the 1800s holds a full scratch bakery here, and that’s where the classic cider donuts come to life. History and fried dough make a great team.
The North Shore knows this farm well for its harvest traditions. Cider donuts, pick-your-own fruit, and a busy farm store pull people in during apple and berry seasons.
The bakery case gets creative too. Handmade fruit pies change with the season, from strawberry rhubarb to blackberry blueberry to apple crumb top.
Daily specialties keep things interesting. Carrot cake, granola, teacakes, and vegan molasses cookies show up alongside the donuts.
Cider comes hot or cold, so the weather never wins. Giant pumpkins add a dose of fall drama to the scene.
The 120-acre farm grows fruit trees, berries, and vegetables, and it has animal barns too. You can pick strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, blackberries, and apples in their seasons.
There’s also an Interactive Fruit Garden for anyone curious about how fruit actually grows. It’s a fun detour between bakery trips.
Plan around Mondays, when the farm is closed. Tuesday through Sunday, it runs from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Address: 147 Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA 01938
Honey Pot Hill Orchards, Stow, MA
Happy 100th birthday to this orchard, which got its start in 1926. A fourth generation now runs the place, and the cider donuts are part of the celebration.
Spread across 186 acres, the farm gives you plenty of room to roam. You can pick apples, peaches, blueberries, and pears, though pear season runs shorter in the fall.
Then come the mazes, and there are three of them. Choose the Little Hedgemaze, the large Monster Maze, or the Tunnel Maze for kids under ten.
Getting lost before a donut is a smart strategy. It builds suspense, plus you’ll feel like you walked off the sugar in advance.
Hayrides run on weekends during September and October. Farm animals such as pigs, chickens, alpacas, goats, and mini horses are on site, and you can feed them.
The farm store, open July through December, sells the cider donuts. Caramel apples and fresh fruit share the spotlight, along with cute fall-themed items.
Autumn weekends can get crowded here, so arriving early helps. The orchard opens daily at 9 AM and closes at 6 PM.
A century of family farming deserves a toast. Make yours with a cider donut.
Address: 16 Boon Rd, Stow, MA 01775
Cider Hill Farm, Amesbury, MA
Here’s a twist worth knowing before you go. Fruit picking is closed for the 2026 season because the farm is planting tulips for 2027.
Good news, though, because the donuts never took a break. They’re made daily with the farm’s own sweet cider and served hot.
Gluten-free donut options are on hand too. That means more friends can join the fun without staring sadly at the bakery case.
The Farm Store and bakery open daily from late April through mid-December. Pies, seasonal tea breads, cookies, and whoopie pies keep the donuts company.
Weekend mornings get extra tasty. Breakfast sandwiches arrive on homemade biscuits, and savory options like pulled pork sandwiches and hot dogs show up too.
This 145-acre farm has been family-owned since 1978. It’s a scenic spot to linger, with farm animals, a mini corn maze, and outdoor fire pits.
Live music adds a soundtrack to your snack break. Cut-your-own flowers are also available in season, so you won’t leave empty-handed.
Hours run daily from 8 AM to 6 PM. Bring your appetite for biscuits and a little patience for tulips.
Address: 45 Fern Ave, Amesbury, MA 01913
Red Apple Farm, Phillipston, MA
Somewhere on this hilltop stands a McIntosh tree planted in 1912, and it still makes apples. It’s known as the oldest commercially planted McIntosh tree, which is quite a flex.
The Rose family has cared for the land since 1929. The property has been a farm since the 1730s and an apple farm since 1912.
Elevation plays a role here too. The farm sits at about 1,250 feet, which helps make the apples extra crisp.
Now for the main event. The award-winning cider donuts are made fresh daily with farm-pressed cider.
The farm store keeps the treats coming with homemade fudge, local honey, and maple products. Bart’s Ice Cream and apple dumplings make strong second courses.
Seasons bring big events, like the Sunflower Festival in August. December lights up with Winter Lights and more than 200,000 twinkling bulbs.
Dogs are allowed, even inside. Free-roaming chickens, goats, sheep, pigs, and donkeys add plenty of company too.
Can’t make the drive? Red Apple Farm also runs a stall at the Boston Public Market, serving its cider donuts year-round in the city.
Address: 455 Highland Ave, Phillipston, MA 01331
Tougas Family Farm, Northborough, MA
A 40-year-old recipe powers the cider donuts at this Northborough farm. Some things are best left exactly as they are.
Look for them from June through November. During fruit seasons, the farm may offer specialty flavors alongside its classic cider donuts, so check the current menu for seasonal varieties.
Then there’s maple bacon, which has appeared at the farm’s Donut Days of Summer. Sweet and salty fans should check the event schedule for upcoming dates.
The farm offers apple cider donuts, apple pie, and pumpkin pie. However, people with nut allergies should review the farm’s current allergy information before eating, as cross-contact may be possible.
Ice cream lovers get a bonus round. Apple cider donut sundaes are a highlight, made with ice cream from Bliss and Gifford’s.
The farm store also sells fresh cider, fruit slushies, cobblers, burgers, and caramel apples. It’s a tempting stop for lunch and a sweet treat.
Pick-your-own options vary by season and can include strawberries, cherries, peaches, apples, and pumpkins. Kids can explore the farm’s activities and see its animals when available.
The farm was bought in 1981, and three generations have lived and worked there. Check the current hours before visiting, as the schedule may vary by season.
Address: 234 Ball St, Northborough, MA 01532
Smolak Farms, North Andover, MA
Around 450,000 donuts in one year. That’s the number reported for this North Andover farm, and it’s hard to read without getting hungry.
Only in Massachusetts even named these cider donuts the best in the state. So yes, expectations are high before you reach the counter.
The farm calls itself a mix of agriculture, education, and entertainment. That blend shows up in the orchards, the animals, and the activities.
The Farm Stand and Animal Playground open daily at 7 AM. An early donut and a goat hello make a solid start to any Saturday.
The bakery keeps busy with hot coffee and cider, homemade pies, and seasonal treats. Meals to go are available too, in case dinner plans fall apart.
Picking options include apples, blueberries, and pumpkins from the patch. Hayrides and s’mores round out the fall fun.
Want to get hands-on with your snack? Donut decorating shows up during events like the farm’s Halloween Party.
The same farmer has overseen the land for 50 years and grown it into a community staple. Few stops can match that kind of staying power.
Address: 315 S Bradford St, North Andover, MA 01845
Bolton Spring Farm, Bolton, MA
Cross the street and you change missions. The farm store and cafe sit on one side of the road, while the orchard and pumpkin patch wait on the other.
Inside the store, cider spiced donuts are made fresh daily. Pair one with hot cider or coffee and you’ve got a proper fall breakfast.
Hot apple dumplings deserve their own trip. Apple crisp, cookies, pies, and home-baked breads fill out the bakery lineup.
This family has run the farm for over 90 years, on about 150 acres. Its barn dates to the late 1800s, and the land became an apple and fruit orchard in 1938.
Apple fans can get a little nerdy here. The Country Store offers over 25 apple varieties, plus peaches, pears, plums, and nectarines.
Picking your own is easy, thanks to color-coded trees. You’ll know exactly which variety you’re grabbing, no guesswork needed.
The pumpkin patch opens in late September. By November, the stand shifts to Christmas trees and wreath decorating workshops.
The farm runs from late May to December 31 each year. Weekday visits tend to be calmer than busy Saturday afternoons.
Address: 159 Main St, Bolton, MA 01740
Carlson Orchards, Inc, Harvard, MA
Since 1936, this fruit farm has kept its traditions growing, one harvest at a time. The second and third generations run it now, and they take the cider seriously.
The farm grows cherries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, nectarines, and apples. That’s a long season of reasons to keep coming back.
Apple cider donuts are the must-grab item in the gift shop. Apple crisp earns plenty of love too, so maybe buy both and call it research.
Look for apple salsa while you’re browsing. It’s a fun surprise for anyone who thinks apples belong only in dessert.
The farmstand sells prepared foods as well. That makes it easy to turn a quick donut run into a full lunch stop.
Pick-your-own apples bring the classic orchard moment. Harvard’s rolling countryside gives the whole visit a calm, slow-down feeling.
The orchard is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM. You’ll have time to wander the rows before the sugar rush kicks in.
Massachusetts has plenty of old farms, but few have kept a family this involved for so long. That history makes each donut taste a little sweeter.
Address: 115 Oak Hill Rd, Harvard, MA 01451
Atkins Farms Country Market, Amherst, MA
A cider donut-scented candle exists, and you can find it at this Amherst market. Clearly, somebody here understands priorities.
The real thing still wins, of course. The signature bakery turns out cider donuts that headline the whole operation.
Shopping here feels like a farm stand that grew into a full market. Fresh local produce, organic products, and prepared foods fill the aisles.
There’s even a salad bar, which helps balance out the donut count. Nobody is checking, but it’s nice to have options.
Sweets go beyond the fryer too. Pies, chocolates, and jams make easy gifts, assuming they survive the ride home.
The apple cider is a year-round star, not just a fall guest. Pumpkins join the lineup when autumn rolls around.
The market opens daily at 7 AM and stays open until 7 PM. Weekend afternoons get the busiest, so a weekday morning is a smart move.
Free wi-fi and restrooms make it an easy stop on a road trip through western Massachusetts. Grab a dozen, light that candle, and let fall follow you home.
Address: 1150 West St, Amherst, MA 01002
