Mass. Hidden Gems: A nationally recognized orchard that’s also a BBQ Brew Barn and a ‘Cidery’
If you're going to the town of Phillipston, you're probably heading to Red Apple Farm .
There's not much else to do in the town of just over 1,700. Fortunately, Red Apple Farm offers about everything you could want in a day trip.
Voted the No. 2 apple orchard in the country by USA TODAY readers in 2025, the farm has way more than just apple picking. It has a Brew Barn that doubles as a taproom for Moon Hill Brewing and serves awesome barbecue. Outside, you can sit and enjoy the farm, the animals and the atmosphere.
One building over, you've got the country store, which offers awesome local goods, farm products, ice cream and some of the best cider doughnuts in the state .
Across from the store, there's a shaded pavilion flanking a pizza kitchen with a wood-fired oven.
Around the corner, you can grab ice cream. Or you could go around the side to find Red Apple Farm's secret weapon: The Cidery.
It's a small taproom on the side of the store that offers some amazing cider.
Oh, by the way, you can also pick apples in the orchard.
A donkey comes to say hi at Red Apple Farm in Phillipston.(Nick O'Malley/MassLive)
Mass. Hidden Gems: Red Apple Farm, Phillipston
What makes Red Apple Farm such a prime candidate for a day trip in Massachusetts is that you can actually fill out the entire day there without running out of things to do.
Plain old apple picking sounds fun. But if you fill up your bag in 15 minutes and have nothing else to do, then you're bound for a quick trip.
Red Apple Farm contains multitudes. As you drive in, you parade your vehicle down a fruity phalanx of apple trees. Once you park, you're likely to spot the majestic outline of the goats that like to scramble across the rocks.
After that, it's a choose-your-own-adventure situation. The different food, drink and shopping options are spread out in a manner that encourages you to meander around and explore.
That's before even getting into the farm's events — or the disc golf course and hiking trails .
A cider flight from The Cidery at Red Apple Farm in Phillipston.(Nick O'Malley/MassLive)
What's good to get?
I almost missed The Cidery. It's a good thing I spotted it just before I left, because it was the highlight of my trip.
I got a flight of five flavors and was straight-up blown away by three of them: the beach, the apple pie and blood orange.
Normally, I tend to pick beer over cider. But this is the rare instance where the cider was so good that it stood out as the must-try beverage.
That's not a knock on the beer, either. Moon Hill Brewing (based primarily out of Gardner) has some awesome beers. During my visit, I got the Puff IPA, which really hit the spot on a warm early fall afternoon.
The BBQ and pizza are solid food options, especially when you're sharing a picnic table with friends.
But before you leave, make sure to grab some cider doughnuts. Whether or not you share those is up to you.
A look around Red Apple Farm in Phillipston.(Nick O'Malley/MassLive)
A farm with some major history
Located just northeast of the Quabbin Reservoir, Red Apple Farm sits in one of Massachusetts' most scenic stretches in northern Worcester County.
As a destination, it has plenty of fun new features and activities, like a brewery and cider flights. But there's plenty of history here.
The property that houses the orchard has been a farm in some capacity since the 1730s . In 1929, Red Apple Farm was purchased by the Rose family, who have run it for five generations now.
Fun fact: Red Apple Farm is the home of the country's oldest commercially planted McIntosh tree. Their oldest trees date back to 1912, when the property was first converted to an orchard.
A look around the country store at Red Apple Farm in Phillipston.(Nick O'Malley/MassLive)
More info about Red Apple Farm
While the primary location is based in Phillipston, Red Apple Farm has multiple branch operations throughout the state.
They have a stall at the Boston Public Market where they sell doughnuts, drinks and more. During the cold months, they have a setup at Watchusett Mountain as well.
As for the farm, they're open year-round in Phillipston.
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Check them out: Website | Facebook | Instagram
What's the address?— 455 Highland Ave, Phillipston
What's the parking situation?— Red Apple Farm has plenty of parking on site.
When are they open?— Here are the listed business hours at the time of writing.
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Monday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
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Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
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Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
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Thursday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
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Friday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
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Saturday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
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Sunday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
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Mass. Hidden Gems is a series highlighting restaurants and other businesses across the Bay State that we think deserve more attention. You can check out the rest of the series here .
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