One Maine Family Has Been Growing Apples At This Orchard Since 1783 And Fall Is Pure Magic Here

Ten generations of one family have tended these apple trees, and the newest generation just came home from Boston to run things. That kind of loyalty to a hillside is rare. I find it pretty amazing.

The family planted its first trees here shortly after settling in 1783. Today the farm grows nine apple varieties across about 75 acres. A sorting machine from the 1930s still helps clean the fruit.

Then fall arrives, and the fun gets loud. Kids ride a trackless train through the rows. Visitors launch apples at targets with a slingshot. Fresh cider donuts wait back at the farm stand.

I believe Maine has plenty of lovely orchards, but few can claim this much family history. So how does a place keep growing apples for over two centuries and still feel this lively?

Ten Generations Have Called These Apple Trees Family

Most family businesses brag about three generations. Brackett’s Orchards is on number ten, and that’s not a typo.

The Brackett family settled in Limington, Maine, in 1783. They cleared the land and planted apple trees shortly after.

Many people consider it the oldest continuously family-owned and operated orchard in the state.

Before Limington, the family even grew apples in Portland. Their earlier orchards sat in the areas now known as Deering Oaks and Munjoy Hill.

That’s a fun fact to share next time you stroll through either neighborhood.

Manley Brackett represented the eighth generation and lived to be 100 years old. His daughter Debra and her husband, Guy Paulin, cared for about 7,000 trees for many years.

That’s a lot of pruning, picking, and early mornings.

In 2025, Guy’s sons returned from Boston to take over management. So the tenth generation now runs the show.

I love that the story didn’t end with a sale sign.

Knowing this history changes how an apple tastes, at least in spirit. Every bite connects you to a family that refused to quit.

Pretty sweet legacy, right?

The Farm Stand Is Where Your Shopping List Falls Apart

Good luck sticking to just apples here. The farm stand sits at 224 Sokokis Ave, Limington, ME 04049, and it’s stocked like a cozy country pantry.

Apples come pre-picked if you’d rather skip the ladder work. Next to them, you’ll spot pumpkins, different types of squash, and potatoes.

Honey, maple syrup, and assorted jams line the shelves too.

One jam deserves a special shout. The homemade blueberry jam brings a taste of Maine summer into chilly autumn mornings.

Spread it on toast and suddenly breakfast feels fancy.

Seasonal mums also show up in fall. They’re perfect for brightening a front porch after your orchard trip.

Grab a pumpkin to sit beside them, and your doorstep is officially decorated.

The stand generally opens daily from mid-August through May. Fall hours typically run from 9 AM to 4 PM, so plan your stop before late afternoon.

My advice is simple. Bring a sturdy bag and leave some room in the trunk.

You’ll likely walk out with more than you planned, and nobody here will judge you for it.

Cider Donuts Got Their Very Own Building

Some orchards fry donuts in a corner. Brackett’s Orchards built a dedicated donut-making facility in 2025, which tells you how seriously they take these treats.

Fresh apple cider donuts are the star of many fall visits. Pair one with a cup of fresh apple cider, and you’ve got the classic New England combo.

It’s simple, and it works every time.

Chilly day? Hot mulled cider is available on most weekends.

Wrapping your hands around a warm cup while gazing at orchard rows feels like autumn in a nutshell.

Here’s a smart move for families. Buy an extra half dozen donuts for the car ride home.

Otherwise, someone will eat the last one and start a backseat debate.

The cider itself comes from a farm that has grown apples for more than two centuries. That’s a long time to figure out what makes a good glass.

You can taste the practice.

Donuts and cider are also an easy way to enjoy the farm without picking. Not everyone wants to haul a bushel.

Everyone, however, seems to want a donut.

Head Up The Hill For Pick-Your-Own Apples With A View

The U-Pick orchard isn’t at the farm stand. It’s a short drive away at 32 Staples Road, perched on a scenic hilltop in Limington.

That hilltop setting is a big part of the appeal. Rows of trees stretch out with wide views around them.

On a clear fall day, the scenery competes with the apples for your attention.

Picking happens on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 AM to 4 PM during the season. The season usually wraps up by late October, so don’t wait too long.

Nine apple varieties grow across roughly 75 acres. Honeycrisp is a popular pick, and for good reason.

It’s crisp, juicy, and great for snacking straight off the branch.

A few tips help the day go smoothly. Wear shoes that can handle grass and uneven ground.

Gently twist apples upward instead of yanking them, so the branch stays healthy for next year.

Bring a camera too. Between the trees, the views, and kids holding giant apples, photo chances pop up everywhere.

Just maybe eat a few apples between snapshots.

Yes, You Can Launch Apples At Targets

Apple slingshot. Read that again, because it’s real.

At the U-Pick site, Brackett’s Orchards offers an apple slingshot, sometimes called an apple cannon. Visitors fire apples at targets, which is exactly as fun as it sounds.

Kids love it, and grown-ups often line up right behind them.

It’s a clever way to mix farm life with friendly competition. Who can hit the target first?

Who launches an apple clear past it? Family bragging rights are on the line.

This activity also gives younger kids a break from picking. Little arms get tired of reaching for branches.

Launching fruit through the air recharges their energy fast.

A friendly contest tip helps too. Let everyone take a few practice shots before keeping score.

That way the youngest players get a fair chance to shine.

Honestly, it’s hard to picture a more fall-flavored game. You’re on a hilltop, surrounded by apple trees, sending apples flying.

Somewhere, an orchard founder from 1783 would probably be very confused, then likely ask for a turn.

All Aboard The Orchard Express

Trains usually need tracks. The Orchard Express skips them entirely and rolls right through the apple rows.

This trackless train gives visitors a fun ride around the U-Pick grounds. It’s a hit with small kids who might not be up for a long walk.

Parents get a break from piggyback duty too.

Hayrides, or tractor and wagon rides, also run on most weekends in fall. Bouncing along in a wagon past fruit trees feels like a page from a storybook.

It’s a classic farm experience that never seems to get old.

Rides also offer a different angle on the orchard. You can see how the rows stretch across the hilltop and how big the place really is.

That helps you appreciate the work behind 7,000 trees.

Plan rides between picking sessions. They make a nice reset when bags get heavy and legs get tired.

Got a toddler who adores anything with wheels? This might become the highlight of their whole season.

Apples are great, but a train through an orchard is pretty hard to beat.

Pack A Picnic And Bring The Pup

Dogs get an invite too, which makes plenty of families very happy. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome at the U-Pick location.

A shaded picnic area gives everyone a spot to rest. Bring sandwiches, fresh apples, and maybe a donut or two.

Lunch with an orchard view beats any drive-thru meal.

Food trucks have also visited on many weekends in past seasons. Still, it’s wise to pack snacks just in case plans change.

A single all-gender, single-user restroom sits at the U-Pick cabin. Knowing that ahead of time helps parents plan, especially with little ones.

A quick stop before heading into the rows saves a long walk back.

For dog owners, a few basics go a long way. Bring water, waste bags, and a short leash.

Keep pups away from fallen fruit piles, since apples tempt curious noses.

The whole setup makes a relaxed day easy. You can pick, ride, eat, and rest without rushing.

That kind of slow afternoon is exactly what fall in Maine does best.

An Antique Shop Hides In A Barn And A Schoolhouse

Treasure hunters, this one’s for you. Brackett’s Orchards is also home to an antique shop called The Country Collection.

The shop sits on the property inside a homestead barn and a one-room schoolhouse. The owner’s wife manages it.

Browsing vintage finds inside a historic schoolhouse feels a bit like a field trip through time.

It fits the farm’s story perfectly. A family that has kept the same land for centuries clearly values old things worth saving.

The shop extends that spirit to furniture, decor, and curiosities.

Here’s a tip for mixed groups. Let the apple fans load up at the stand while antique lovers explore the shop.

Everyone meets back up happy, with full arms.

Look for small pieces that suit a fall kitchen or cozy living room. An old crate or vintage tin might be the perfect home for your fresh apples.

I like that a visit here can become more than a fruit run. You get history, shopping, and snacks in one stop.

That’s a pretty efficient Saturday.

Fall Gets The Spotlight, But Summer Brings Berries And Peaches

Apples may steal fall, yet the farm stays busy long before October. Blueberries arrive in July for pick-your-own and wholesale.

Maine blueberries are famous, and picking them is a sweet summer ritual. Later, peaches ripen for harvesting in late summer.

Peaches in Maine might surprise some folks, but Brackett’s Orchards grows them.

Then autumn takes over with pumpkin patches at the U-Pick site. Kids can wander and choose the perfect pumpkin for carving.

Pair it with a bag of apples, and your fall to-do list shrinks fast.

Big news arrived in 2025 too. The orchard began hosting weddings among its trees.

Saying vows surrounded by apple blossoms or fall leaves sounds pretty dreamy.

Planning ahead helps you catch every season. Mark July for berries, late summer for peaches, and fall weekends for apples and pumpkins.

After more than two centuries, this Maine farm still finds new ways to welcome people. Ten generations in, the trees keep producing and the family keeps growing.

Honestly, I can’t think of a better reason to visit this fall.