If apple picking is on your fall bucket list, there are several places nearby that offer a perfect setting. Bailey King harvested the best-of list for Philadelphia Magazine.

Three Bucks County orchards found their place among the nine recommendations. Whether you’re going to bake them in a pie, press them into cider, smother them with caramel, or just take a crispy bite fresh-washed from the tree, you’re sure to enjoy the apples you bring home.

Shady Brook Farm, Yardley

Four generations of Fleming family members have tilled the soil here. In its earlier days, crops were harvested much closer to the ground, with radishes, celery, beets, and spinach being the mainstays.

Now, however, the fields offer a wide array of summer and autumn fruits.

Pick-your-own customers gain access to the trees through the farm’s FallFest events. They includes wagon rides, live music, bonfires, a five-acre corn maze, and apple/pumpkin picking.

Right now, the Honeycrisp apples are plentiful.

Snipes Farm and Education Center, Morrisville

This agribusiness has a lineage going back seven generations. But its outlook is decidedly forward-thinking. It steadily looks to engage volunteers to help in its mission of furthering sustainable, organic produce. It also holds fast to a dedication to the community; more than half its yield goes to local hunger-relief efforts.

The farm’s family fun fall roster starts October 2, with plenty of farm animals, scarecrows, and cider on hand.

The apple picking comes with the assurance that the fruit you’re bringing home hasn’t been treated with pesticides or chemicals.

Solebury Orchards, New Hope

Apple-picking season at Solebury Orchards opened in late August and runs until early November. Ready for plucking from its trees now are Honeycrisp and Crimson Crisp varieties.

Wagon rides take harvesters to and from the fields, and pricing is determined by the weight of what they bring back.

Solebury Orchards began in 1985. Its rolling fields originally produced corn and soybeans, but it was soon turned over to rows and rows of fruit trees, including apples.

More seeds of information on local apple picking are at Philadelphia Magazine.

Note: These and other fall events may have masking and social distancing measures in effect onsite. Please be prepared to comply, especially when bringing children.