When autumn arrives in New England, there’s nothing quite like sinking your teeth into a warm, freshly made cider donut. These sweet rings of heaven capture the essence of fall in every bite, and Boston’s North Shore region boasts some of the best cider donuts you’ll find anywhere.
I’m sharing my favorite spots below, especially the ones where you can watch the donuts being made right in front of you and enjoy that irresistible, hot-and-fresh taste.
Ingaldsby Farm, Boxford
Tucked away in West Boxford, Ingaldsby Farm has been a family-owned and operated working farm since 1911. This hidden gem offers a quintessential New England farm experience where “once you get out of your car you can smell the fresh cider donuts cooking in the air” and visitors are immediately welcomed by the colorful display of pumpkins and seasonal produce.
Ingaldsby Farm produces “amazing cider donuts” in multiple varieties including cinnamon sugar, plain, and sugar-coated options. The farm is beautifully laid over rolling hills of apples, pumpkins, corn and so many other vegetables, and it all spills out over a colorful pond, creating a picturesque backdrop for enjoying fresh donuts and cider.
What sets Ingaldsby apart is its intimate, family-friendly atmosphere complete with a petting zoo featuring peafowl, pigs, sheep, lambs, goats, chickens and turkey. Children can enjoy the wooden train play set and sandbox while parents browse the farm stand filled with seasonal produce, local honey, homemade jams, and Stonewall Kitchen products. The farm offers pick-your-own apples and pumpkins during fall season, along with corn mazes and hayrides.
Address: 14 Washington Street, West Boxford, MA
Hours: Daily 9 AM – 5 PM
Mann Orchards Riverside Farm, Methuen
Mann Orchards has expanded their operation to include a second location specifically for apple picking and family activities. Located at 445 Merrimack Street in Methuen, this 40-acre apple orchard offers the complete fall experience with fresh cider donuts as the sweet centerpiece.
The Riverside Farm offers “fall favorites like kettle corn, cider donuts, candy apples, and more – not to mention Mann’s homemade apple crisp”. The farm features multiple apple varieties including Ambrosia, McIntosh, Cortland, and Honey Crisp, along with activities like hay rides, a 7-acre corn maze, petting zoo, and numerous family-friendly games.
What makes this location special is the combination of traditional farming with modern family entertainment, all while maintaining Mann’s commitment to quality baked goods that has sustained them for nearly 150 years.
Watch the short video below of my daughter explaining the donut making process to see firsthand how these beloved treats come to life at this historic farm.
Address: 445 Merrimack Street, Methuen, MA
Hours: Weekends 10 AM – 5 PM (September – October)
Cider Hill Farm, Amesbury
Named the #1 Apple Picking Spot in the US and #4 Most Beautiful Farms in the World, Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury sets the gold standard for what many consider the best cider donuts in the region. This 145-acre family farm produces their famous apple cider donuts fresh daily, and you truly can’t find these award-winning treats anywhere else.
What makes Cider Hill’s donuts special? They use their own estate-grown apples and press fresh cider right on the farm, infusing authentic apple flavor into every donut. The farm store and bakery operate seven days a week from 8 AM to 6 PM, and you can even pre-order their popular cider donuts online for pickup. Beyond the donuts, visitors can enjoy apple picking, hard cider tastings, and seasonal festivals with live music.
Hours: Daily 8 AM – 6 PM (late April – mid December)
Address: 45 Fern Avenue Amesbury, MA 01913
Website: https://www.ciderhill.com/
Smolak Farms, North Andover
Smolak Farms in North Andover has earned a reputation for producing some of the best cider donuts in Massachusetts, selling approximately 450,000 donuts annually. What sets them apart is their variety – they offer three different styles of cider donuts: traditional plain, cinnamon sugar, and honey-glazed.
The farm has received multiple accolades, including being named “second best in New England” and “best sugar-coated cider donut.” You can grab your donuts hot off the conveyor belt or order ahead through their online bakery system. The donuts are available year-round, perfectly sweetened on the outside and soft and tender on the inside.
Beyond their famous donuts, Smolak offers apple picking, hayrides, farm animals, and even hosts weddings and corporate events. They also make a special ice cream flavor called Cider Donut Supreme for the ultimate indulgence.
Address: 315 S Bradford Street, North Andover, MA
Hours: Daily 7 AM – 6 PM
Planning Your Cider Donut Adventure
Best Times to Visit: Early to mid-September offers the perfect weather and smaller crowds, while late September through October brings peak fall foliage but heavier visitor traffic. Weekday mornings tend to be less crowded than weekend afternoons.
What to Bring: Cash for purchases (many farms prefer cash), reusable bags for apples, and comfortable walking shoes for orchard exploration.
Pairing Suggestions: Most farms also offer fresh apple cider, hard cider tastings, and seasonal treats like caramel apples and pumpkin items that complement their cider donuts perfectly.
The Secret Behind the North Shore's Best Cider Donuts
The North Shore’s claim to producing the best cider donuts stems from many farms growing their own apples and pressing their own cider, ensuring the freshest possible ingredients. The region’s cool climate and rich soil produce apples with exceptional flavor that translates directly into superior donuts.
Additionally, many of these farms have multi-generational recipes and techniques passed down through families, creating time-tested flavors you simply can’t replicate in commercial bakeries. The combination of farm-fresh ingredients, traditional methods, and genuine New England charm makes North Shore cider donuts a truly authentic taste of fall.
