Massachusetts
Nature|Wildlife & Farms

The Old Farm In Massachusetts That’s A Bakery, Store, and Winery All In One

Russell Orchards in Ipswich, Massachusetts offers fruit picking, farm animals, a store, bakery, and award-winning wine.

Published Nov 6, 2021

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

There's something quite special about visiting a farm to pick your own fruit. But when a farm offers more than fruit and vegetables, it becomes a destination where you can spend hours enjoying all it has to offer. Russell Orchards in Ipswich, Massachusetts is one such farm where you can pick your own seasonal fruit, visit with farm animals, shop in the store, and purchase up some of the farm's award-winning wine.

The property that Russell Orchards sits on has been an orchard and farm since the 1920s. With a few ownership changes and the addition of a cider mill, winery, store, and bakery, this farm has become a destination. Today it is owned by the Russell family.

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With 120 acres, visitors can find plenty of fruit trees and fields, barns filled with farm animals, and a large 1800s barn with a store, bakery, and winery. Pick-your-own fruit is available seasonally.

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Kids and adults alike will love visiting the farm animals. Among the many animals here, you'll find chickens, ducks, guinea fowl, geese, sheep, goats, pigs, and donkeys.

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Russell Orchards/Facebook

Housed in the farm's large barn is a store complete with a bakery and winery. The store offers plenty of seasonal farm-fresh produce, most of which is grown right on the property. You may also purchase cider, honey, eggs, ice cream, and locally made goods and gifts here.

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Russell Orchards/Facebook

If you love fresh baked goods, you're in luck! Russell Orchards sells a variety of sweets and treats like cider donuts, apple and seasonal fruit pies, scones, muffin tops, coconut macaroons, biscotti, cookies, and mini fruit tarts.

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Made on the property using its own farm grown fruit, Russell Orchards sells wine and hard ciders inside the main barn. A wide variety of wine is available from apple blueberry, blackberry, and cherry to more unusual flavors like dandelion, elderberry, lilac, pumpkin spice, and more.

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Russell Orchards/Facebook

Most of the wines here have won awards. Check the website for tasting information or come for a visit and purchase a bottle to take home!

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Russell Orchards/Facebook

If you've been to Russell Orchards, we would love to hear from you! Leave a comment telling us all about it. And if you have another favorite farm in Massachusetts, please share that as well. For more information on Russell Orchards, visit the website and Facebook page.

If you're looking for another farm with family-friendly attractions, check out Kimball's Farm in Westford.

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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

The Audubon Center in Massachusetts Where You’ll See More Than 20 Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

Looking for a great place to view a variety of bird species? Head to Great Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary in Concord for fantastic bird watching and outdoor fun.

Published Oct 5, 2024

Written by 

Kim Falchek

As I have gotten older, I have developed a stronger appreciation for the creatures and critters that live in the great outdoors. Bird watching has become a new hobby and I have added feeders, regional bird guides, and binoculars to my collection of personal possessions. While I love watching the various species of birds that visit my window feeder throughout the day, I also enjoy getting outdoors to view birds in their natural habitats. Did you know there are over 500 species of birds in the Bay State? There are tons of wonderful local nature trails and sanctuaries where you can view these creatures. Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord and Sudbury is one spot where you will see a variety of beautiful birds.

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The Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is a 12-mile-long conservation area on river wetlands. The two primary units of the refuge are Sudbury and Concord. Both offer a variety of beautiful landscapes and activities, but you will want to head to the Concord unit for the best bird watching. Please be aware there is an entrance fee.

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Over 220 species of birds have been sighted and recorded at Great Meadows. The species and numbers vary throughout the year. In the summer, you may spot geese, red-winged blackbirds, and mallards in the wetlands. Some hawks remain in the area in the fall and songbirds such as the black-capped chickadee can still be seen in the winter. Spring is the best time to view migratory birds such as ring-necked ducks, tree swallows, and warblers.

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And the wildlife sanctuary is not just for the birds! There are also foxes, frogs, bats, deer, black bears, and beavers. A large group of endangered Blanding’s turtles can also be found here. The sanctuary offers opportunities for hiking, fishing, non-motorized boating, and cross-country skiing, too.

Be sure to bring a helpful bird guide, such as the "Birds of Massachusetts Field Guide" by Stan Tekiela, and a good pair of binoculars. You can view wildlife from the trails, an observational platform, and an observation tower.      

Have you visited Great Meadows National Wildlife Sanctuary? Where else do you like to bird watch? More information about the sanctuary can be found at the Great Meadows National Wildlife Sanctuary website. Visit Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellfleet and the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard for more fantastic local birding.

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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

The Best Apple Cider Donuts in Massachusetts Come From This Farm

Are you craving a delicious warm cider donut? Head to Smolak Farms in North Andover for some of the best cider donuts in Massachusetts.

Published Sep 13, 2024

Written by 

Kim Falchek

There is just something about fall that has me craving (I mean really craving) cider donuts. While plenty of local bakeries sell these treats all year long, there is nothing like devouring a fresh, warm cider donut straight out of the oven as you sport your favorite flannel and breathe in the crisp autumn air. A visit to any local farm, fall festival, or autumn event is always a great excuse for a delicious cider donut, and the best in the state can be found at Smolak Farms in North Andover, Massachusetts.

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One bite of this delicious sweet treat and you will instantly know why the donuts are flying off the conveyer belt at Smolak. The farm sold approximately 450,000 cider donuts last year and returning customers are already running back for more this fall.

One of the best things about the cider donuts at Smolak is that they come in three different varieties. Not only does the farm bake traditional cider donuts, but they also make sugar and cinnamon sugar and honey-glazed options. I suggest trying all three!

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Smolak Farms/Facebook

The donuts are perfectly sweetened on the outside and are soft and tender on the inside. Smolack Farms has received several awards and accolades for its cider donuts, including an impressive “second best in New England” and "best sugar-coated cider donut."  

You can grab your donuts hot off the belt or purchase them to bring home with you. Smolak also has an online bakery ordering system that allows you to order ahead of time. The delectable treats are available all year long.

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Smolak Farms/Facebook

If you enjoy the donuts at Smolak, you may want to try their muffins, pies, breakfast sandwiches, and quiches. The farm also makes weekly meals-to-go and a variety of delicious ice cream flavors, including one called Cider Donut Supreme.

Many people come to Smolak specifically for the donuts, but there is more to enjoy. The farm is a great place to go apple picking, take a hay ride, or visit the farm animals. Smolak also holds fun fall festival weekends and hosts birthday parties, weddings, and corporate events. 

So what do you think? Are the cider donuts at Smolak Farms the best of the best or do you prefer the donuts from a different farm or bakery? Find out more about Smolak Farms at the Smolak Farms website and Smolak Farms Facebook page. You can find more great donuts at The ANGRY Donut in Newburyport and Kane's Donuts in Saugus and Boston. If you really love donuts and can't get enough of them, you may wish to embark on this utterly delicious Massachusetts Donut Road Trip.

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