A Perfect Autumn Weekend: Apple Picking At Swan’s Family Farm

Can you believe we’re already in apple-picking season, my friends?! Oh my word, I can’t even tell you how much this excites me. This post was such a joy to write for a few reasons: it’s been years since I last went to the orchard (back toward the end of the pandemic!), and I had forgotten just how many fun activities and delicious treats they have at the farm.

Table of Contents

A Perfect Autumn Weekend: Apple Picking At Swan’s Family Farm

Swan’s Family Farm

One of my favorite fall traditions has always been heading out to Swan’s Family Farm. I’ve been going for years, and it’s been such a joy to watch it grow. What started as a small family-run orchard is now a bustling operation, but the charm and warmth of the Krause family (the owners) are still ever-present.

The farm is about 45 minutes from Seattle’s city center. Even though it’s a bit of a trek, it completely exceeded my friend’s (and her son’s!) expectations.

Apple Picking

Let’s start with the star of the show: the apple picking.

I was lucky enough to bring along someone who had never picked an apple before. Growing up in Oregon, that felt wild to me because my childhood was all about u-picking…apples, peaches, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries – you name it. So it was extra fun watching the farmers teach the proper way to pick: push up, then twist, twist, twist, til it falls off!

We hit the jackpot with our favorite varieties in season: Cosmic Crisp and Honeycrisp. At $3.50 a pound, they were worth every penny – not just because they’re delicious, but because we also enjoyed a wonderful day on a family farm while supporting our local community.

What I love most about Swan’s is how transparent they are. Their FAQ section is clear about how their apples are grown responsibly with modern equipment and great care, and you really feel that when you’re out in the orchard.

Harvest Festival

New this year was their Harvest Festival, which is basically a wonderland for families with kids. There was everything you could imagine (farm animals, bounce activities, tricycle race track, games, food, and so more). Admission is $23 on weekends and $13 on weekdays.

We went on a Saturday, and yes—it was packed. But here’s a tip from me to you: go 2–3 hours before closing (around 6 pm). The crowds thin out, but there’s still plenty of fun happening, giving little ones the chance to make new friends and soak up the happy environment. Check out the full festival info here.

Apple Food Galore

Okay. Confession: as much as I love apple picking, what really has my heart is apple food.

This year, I treated myself to a classic: apple cinnamon donuts. But I also discovered some new favorites, like the non-alcoholic apple cider slushy (which tasted like frozen apple sauce?) and their homemade apple syrup (OMG), sold in the country store. And yes. I walked out with an entire gallon of apple cider. I’m already dreaming up the most amazing mocktails for the season.

Pumpkin Patch

Another bucket list item for me this year is visiting a pumpkin patch, and Swan’s has one! I visited years ago, and it was so fun to walk through it again. While I didn’t bring a pumpkin home, it was a huge hit with my friend’s son. I can’t wait to recommend this farm to all my mom friends.