Farms Near Lowell and the Merrimack Valley: Pick-Your-Own Fields, Orchard Stores, and North-of-Boston Farm Days

Lowell sits in one of the easiest parts of Massachusetts for farm exploring. Drive a short distance from the old mill city and the landscape opens toward Tyngsborough, Dracut, North Andover, Amesbury, and the southern New Hampshire line. The result is a useful farm region for people who want berries in summer, apples in fall, pumpkins in October, flowers for photos, or a farm store stop after work.

The Merrimack Valley also has a practical advantage. Many farms here are large enough to offer more than one reason to visit. If the blueberry field is picked out, the farm store may still be stocked. If apples are not ready, there may be flowers, animals, ice cream, pumpkins, or bakery treats. That makes the area especially helpful for families and for anyone trying to plan around New England weather.

Farms to know near Lowell

Parlee Farms

Parlee Farms in Tyngsborough is one of the most convenient pick-your-own destinations for Lowell, Chelmsford, Billerica, and Nashua-area families. The New England Farm Guide profile lists strawberries, cherries, blueberries, flowers, apples, pumpkins, ice cream, bakery items, a farm store, farm animals, and field trips.

The farm works well as a true pick-your-own outing because the crop calendar changes across the warm months. June brings strawberries. Summer moves into cherries, blueberries, and flowers. Fall brings apples and pumpkins. The farm-store and animal areas give the trip an easy second layer, which helps when visiting with kids.

Smolak Farms

Smolak Farms in North Andover has the kind of broad seasonal calendar that makes it a Merrimack Valley staple. The listing includes berries, apples, peaches, flowers, sunflowers, pumpkins, Christmas trees, a bakery, ice cream, farm animals, hayrides, events, and a farm store.

It is especially useful for families who want the farm atmosphere as much as the picking. During fall weekends, the orchard, market, hayrides, and bakery counter can make the visit feel festive even for people who only bring home a small bag of apples.

Boston Hill Farm

Boston Hill Farm in North Andover is another strong Merrimack Valley stop, with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, vegetables, pumpkins, a farm stand, prepared foods, and farm animals listed on its profile. It has a slightly more everyday usefulness than some larger destination orchards because it works for produce, picking, and a quick farm-stand run.

The location makes it easy to pair with other North Andover stops, especially during berry season or when farm stores are stocked for fall cooking.

Cider Hill Farm

Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury is farther from Lowell than the Tyngsborough and North Andover options, but it is worth knowing for bigger seasonal outings. The farm profile includes berries, cherries, peaches, apples, flowers, sunflowers, pumpkins, cider doughnuts, bakery treats, a farm store, chickens, and family events.

Amesbury gives the trip a more coastal North Shore feeling, which is helpful if you want the farm visit to sit inside a larger Saturday plan with lunch, coffee, or a walk in town.

What to look for by season

June is the strongest month for strawberries, and it can move quickly. July is usually better for blueberries and flowers. August brings peaches, field vegetables, sunflowers, and the first signs of fall farm-store energy. September and October are the headline months for apples, pumpkins, hayrides, cider doughnuts, and full family farm days.

Late fall and winter still have a role in this region. Smolak Farms and other larger farms may offer Christmas trees, holiday goods, or winter market reasons to visit. Smaller stands tend to feel most rewarding when you treat them as seasonal errands: vegetables, cider, pumpkins, greens, or a quick farm-store stop close to home.

Local planning notes

Traffic around Lowell, I-495, and Route 3 can make short trips feel longer on Friday afternoons and sunny fall weekends. Morning visits are easier during apple and pumpkin season. Bring cash for smaller stands, a cooler for berries and dairy, and shoes that can handle wet grass or dusty rows.

For families, the most useful farm details are bathrooms, stroller-friendly paths, animals, food, and the distance from parking to the field. For adults planning a quieter visit, weekday mornings can be far calmer than peak October weekends.

Frequently asked questions

What farms are closest to Lowell for pick-your-own fruit?

Parlee Farms in Tyngsborough is one of the closest major pick-your-own farms to Lowell. Boston Hill Farm and Smolak Farms in North Andover are also convenient Merrimack Valley options.

Are there farms near Lowell with animals?

Parlee Farms, Smolak Farms, and Boston Hill Farm all list farm animals or animal-related visitor features on their New England Farm Guide profiles.

What is the best season for farms near Lowell?

The region is active from late spring through fall. Strawberries begin the warm season, blueberries and flowers follow in summer, and apples, pumpkins, hayrides, and cider doughnuts make September and October the busiest months.

Are Merrimack Valley farms good for quick trips?

Yes. Lowell is close enough to Tyngsborough and North Andover that many farm visits can work as a morning, afternoon, or after-school outing during the main season.