The Apple Cider Donuts Are Only The Beginning At This Connecticut Orchard
The smell of warm cinnamon sugar can make a country drive feel much shorter than expected.
At this family-run orchard, the donuts have become every bit as memorable as the apple picking. Each one is soft inside with lightly crisp edges.
Cider made from fruit grown on the property gives every batch its fresh orchard flavor.
Autumn brings the biggest crowds, but the experience stretches beyond one pastry. Tractor rides roll through the hillside, while the animal farm adds an unexpected stop for families.
You may spot Highland cattle near the enclosures. Playful rabbits offer another sweet surprise before everyone heads back for another bag.
These apple cider donuts have earned a reputation across Connecticut, strong enough to inspire a serious weekend drive.
Their simplicity may be the best part. Elaborate toppings would only get in the way.
Warm dough meets cinnamon sugar, and the unmistakable flavor of harvest season does the rest.
1. More Than A Century On Sport Hill Road
Generations of family history give Silverman’s Farm a character that feels bigger than its orchards, market, and seasonal attractions. Ben Silverman founded the farm in the early 1920s after purchasing land on Sport Hill Road, beginning with an operation that sold produce by the bushel.
Over time, that roadside business grew into a lively Connecticut destination for fruit picking, farm treats, animals, and country-market browsing.
One of the most meaningful pieces of the property’s past still has a place inside the market. Ben’s original cider mill, which he operated for more than 60 years, remains on display as a reminder of the farm’s earliest chapter.
It adds personality to a visit and connects today’s harvest seasons with the routines that shaped the property decades ago.
The farm now welcomes guests for pick-your-own crops when available, along with produce, baked goods, cider, and seasonal favorites. Visitors can find it at 451 Sport Hill Road in Easton.
The market and animal farm are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March 1 through December 31, although holiday hours may vary. With nearly a century of stories behind it, Silverman’s continues to make every season feel like part of a longer tradition.
2. Picking Season Changes Week By Week
One of the most appealing qualities of a working orchard is that it never stays exactly the same from one visit to the next. At Silverman’s Farm, the pick-your-own season runs roughly from late June through October, with different fruits becoming available as the weeks progress.
Blueberry and raspberry picking typically kicks off in early July, followed by peaches in mid-July, and then apples beginning around mid-August with varieties like Ginger Gold leading the way into fall.
More than 20 apple varieties grow across the orchard, giving pickers a wide range of flavors and textures to explore. Picking hours generally run from 9 AM to 4 PM on open days, and bags must be purchased before entering the fields.
Closed-toe shoes and sun protection are practical choices given the terrain and open exposure of the orchard rows.
Crop availability can shift quickly depending on weather, ripeness, and how busy a particular weekend turns out to be. Checking the farm’s website or social media before heading out is a smart habit, especially during peak apple season when fields can fill quickly.
The farm’s online updates tend to be current and reliable for planning purposes, which makes last-minute trip decisions a lot less stressful.
3. Tractor Rides Climb Through The Orchard
Bumpy wagon wheels, sweeping orchard views, and crisp fall air make Silverman’s Farm tractor rides a seasonal favorite. These scenic trips usually begin after apple picking closes, carrying guests through the farm’s 50-acre orchard on select autumn dates.
The pace is relaxed, but the changing elevation and broad landscape keep the ride interesting from start to finish.
Each outing lasts about 20 minutes, giving families time to enjoy the trees, rolling hills, and colorful October scenery without turning the experience into an all-day commitment.
On clear days, the view may stretch roughly 50 miles toward Long Island, adding an unexpected coastal backdrop to the orchard adventure.
Public rides generally operate from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on select weekends, with occasional weekday availability and possible extensions into November. Since schedules depend on weather and the end of the picking season, checking current farm updates before visiting is worthwhile.
October school trips can also include a covered wagon ride through the orchard, along with other harvest activities. Cooler days call for an extra layer, especially when the wagon reaches open sections of the hillside.
Children tend to love the bumps, while adults get a fresh perspective on the farm’s fall landscape.
4. Orchard Apples Flavor The Famous Donuts
There are baked goods that taste good, and then there are baked goods that become the reason people plan a road trip. The apple cider donuts at Silverman’s Farm fall firmly into the second category.
Made fresh daily using the farm’s own pressed apple cider, each donut carries a flavor that is unmistakably tied to the fruit growing just outside the market doors. The cider used in the recipe contains no added sugar, which means the sweetness comes entirely from the apples themselves.
Because the orchard harvests more than 20 different apple varieties across the season, the flavor profile of the cider shifts gradually from late summer through autumn.
That subtle change means the donuts made in August taste slightly different from those made in October, giving repeat visitors a reason to come back more than once.
It is a small detail that speaks to how directly the baked goods connect to what is actually growing in the ground.
The country market also stocks fresh apples, pressed cider, and a rotating selection of baked pies, so the donuts are easy to pair with other farm-made treats. Arriving early in the day tends to give the best chance of finding a full and freshly restocked selection.
5. Cinnamon Sugar Covers Every Warm Batch
Warm apple cider donuts have a way of turning an ordinary farm visit into a full sensory event. At Silverman’s Farm, they arrive with soft, cakey centers, slightly crisp exteriors, and a generous coating of cinnamon sugar that clings to every bite.
Pull one apart while it is still fresh, and a sweet cloud of spice may drift across the table before the first piece disappears.
The aroma often does the convincing long before anyone reaches the counter. Fresh cider, baked pies, apples, and cinnamon mingle throughout the market, creating the kind of cozy fragrance that makes leaving empty-handed nearly impossible.
These donuts are made daily using fresh-pressed cider from the farm’s own apples, which gives them a genuine orchard connection rather than a purely seasonal label.
A half-dozen is currently listed at about $8.50, making the box easy to share, at least in theory. They are available for pickup at the market, while online ordering is not currently offered.
Weekday mornings can bring a quieter visit and a better chance of catching a recent batch. Weekends feel livelier, with families browsing the market and carrying cinnamon-sugar bags outside.
Either way, buying six is probably the safer plan, because one rarely feels like enough.
6. Goats Bring Plenty Of Barnyard Personality
Goats are among the most active and entertaining residents at Silverman’s five-acre animal farm. They share the grounds with buffalo, llamas, alpacas, sheep, fallow deer, emus, long-horn cattle, and Scottish Highland cows, creating a collection that feels much broader than a typical petting area.
Visitors may purchase approved grain and feed designated animals under the farm’s posted safety rules. The farm asks guests to use an open, flat hand and avoid letting animals grab the feeding cups.
Only food provided by Silverman’s may be offered because the animals follow controlled diets.
Goats naturally draw attention because they are curious and quick to approach feeding areas. Their energy gives the animal farm a livelier feel, especially for children who enjoy watching them interact with visitors.
Parents must supervise children at all times, and climbing on fences or gates is prohibited.
Hand-washing stations are available around the property, and guests are reminded to wash after animal contact. Picnic tables and outdoor facilities make it easy to spend additional time nearby.
The animal farm is open for the 2026 season from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with operations continuing through December 31 when weather allows. Admission and feed are sold separately.
7. The Animal Farm Adds Another Full Experience
The animal farm gives visitors a completely different way to enjoy the property after time spent in the orchard or market. Instead of treating the animals as a quick side attraction, Silverman’s maintains a rustic farm area where children and adults can see, pet, and feed a wide range of species.
The official animal list includes bunnies, buffalo, llamas, alpacas, sheep, goats, fallow deer, emus, long-horn cattle, and Scottish Highland cows. That variety allows each section of the farm to feel different.
Smaller animals often appeal to younger children, while the larger residents create memorable photo opportunities and plenty of conversation.
Feeding is controlled for safety. Visitors may buy grain supplied by the farm, but outside food is not permitted.
Posted rules also require adult supervision, proper footwear, and respectful behavior around fences or exhibits. Pets are not allowed inside the animal farm.
The area includes picnic tables, washing stations, and outdoor restroom facilities, making it practical for families who plan to stay longer. The farm also schedules school tours and birthday parties during designated parts of the season.
8. Family Fun Changes With Every Season
Silverman’s Farm gives families more than one reason to return because the experience shifts throughout the year. Spring brings the reopening of the market and animal farm, along with orchard blossoms when growing conditions cooperate.
By summer, berry and peach picking may be available, while the animal farm continues welcoming visitors daily.
July can include Story Time and Craft Time at the animal farm, offered free with paid admission on scheduled dates. Summer camp groups may also arrange outings that combine available pick-your-own crops with an animal farm visit.
Birthday parties are scheduled from May through August, giving families another way to use the property beyond a regular day trip.
Fall brings the busiest calendar. Apple picking usually begins around mid-August and continues into October, depending on weather and crop readiness.
Seasonal weekends may feature entertainment, face painting, food vendors, pumpkin displays, and scenic tractor rides after fruit picking ends.
The farm’s variety is what makes it work so well for different ages. Children can meet animals or explore seasonal activities, while adults browse the market and enjoy the orchard scenery.
Because schedules change with weather and harvest conditions, the farm recommends checking current updates before visiting.
