Blue Jay Orchards

Blue Jay Orchards is a nice little getaway without having to actually get too far away from Danbury. As you would expect, it offers the options to pick your own or the convenience of purchasing bags of apples or loose apples in bulk. There’s outside activities for the kids too. I was interested in the bakery and shop today. The cider donuts are oh so good, as are the breads. I was a bit disappointed in the pies however. I do check the ingredients, and personally I rarely buy pies with shortening or margarine in the crust (though I do understand it would be a lot more expensive to have to use butter). But other than that, if I lived locally, I’d visit here often for the baked goods and definitely the apples.

A classic New England orchard farm stand, replete with a wide variety of pick your own apples, hayrides, homemade pies, the usual assortment of jams, jellies, salsas, relishes and pickles and their awesome cider donuts, exceeded in their deliciousness only by the incomparable Faddy’s (look them up). Great place to spend an hour or two on a crisp autumn afternoon.

Blue Jay’s has been a staple in Bethel for many, many years and for good reason. Every fall the orchard opens to the public for apple picking and they offer many different kinds of apple. Don’t like New England’s McIntosh? That’s okay, there’s plenty of others to choose from like Cortland, Gala, Stayman, Winesap, Mutsu, Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Breaburn and Fuji.
Blue Jay’s makes an incredible amount of food items from the stock of their orchard, which can be found either in the store right there at the orchard or at Bethel Food Market in the center of town. The number one thing any visitor should buy is a carton of apple cider to go along with your apple cider donuts. There is an array of other items like jams, jellies, pies, breads, and much more.
Years and years ago, Blue Jay’s and the Bethel Jaycees teamed up for the Haunted Hayride and Haunted House at the Orchard which was always great fun. Now, customers can take a wagon ride of the orchard on weekend days. There is also an opportunity to pick your own pumpkins.
Fair warning to those wanting to apple pick at Blue Jay’s, the warm winter and late freeze earlier this year caused the orchard to lose a majority of their apples and they cannot offer apple picking. They still are able to keep their small market stocked if you want to drive out to pick up some cider donuts or other items.

It’s apple orchard time in CT and Blue Jay does not disappoint! Many types of apples there for the picking. Of course, you must use their bags – small (holds about 10 – 15 lbs) for $ 20 and $ 35 for the bigger bag (about 2x the smaller). Considering apple prices, a bit high but there is something to be said for spending some time outside on a beautiful day picking apples with your daughter.
They have adequate parking (even for busy days as today) and enough staff. You can pick your own pumpkins too (69¢ lb), they have wheelbarrows to use to haul the heavier ones.
We wandered in to the store and they have fresh cider and even better, the BEST cider doughnuts EVER! Also, pies, crisps, jams, etc., etc.
There is also a scenic hay ride (without hay), that is about 15 minutes and $ 2 per person.
All in all a great way to spend a beautiful day outdoors!