Apple Picking and Beyond at Belkin Lookout Farm Makes for a Fruitful Day

Article by Eric H.

If you're looking for an apple picking experience that goes beyond just picking apples, then Belkin Lookout Farm in Natick, Mass., is the place to "pick."

In the same town that brings you the densely-populated commercial stretch of Route 9 with just about every store imaginable -- and a seemingly continuous traffic jam -- Belkin Lookout Farm resides on 180 acres of beautiful farm land in a truly quiet rural section of South Natick. Belkin Farm is also one of the oldest continuously working farms in the country, having some form of farming operation since the mid-1600s! It's simply a beautiful fall New England destination, and a true oasis from growing suburbia. You'll feel like you're hundreds of miles away from the shopping mall and center craziness of Natick and neighboring Framingham -- also a bastion of shopping frenzy on Route 9.

Not that Belkin Lookout Farm doesn't become overcrowded itself, given its high level of entertaining things to do on a nice New England September day, like today. This "Metrowest" outdoor, family fun destination, a half hour from Boston, features not only fields and fields of apple picking, but also train rides to your fruit picking spot, a terrific farm market and garden center, a petting zoo, hay pyramid, caterpillar rides, a burlap maze, moon bounce, a farmed-themed children's play area and, on the weekend, live childrens' entertainment, face painting, a barbecue snack bar and pony and camel rides (additional charge).

This weekend (Sept. 19 and 20th), the Belkin Lookout Farm fall celebration continues with a magic show and a contest with the chance to win Red Sox tickets, according to the Belkin Lookout Farm Web Site. At this writing, Gala and Mac apples are ready to pick as well as Asian pears, yellow peaches, nectarines and plums. For updates, directions, hours and any possible changes in schedule, we recommend calling the Belkin Lookout Farm hotline at (508) 653-0653.

We also recommend checking out the "Hey, everyone, let's go apple picking" article on Belkin Farm at VisitingNewEngland.com for additional perspectives on this landmark New England farm.