Sitting less than a mile from the New Hampshire border, Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury is the northernmost eatery in Massachusetts. It’s also a prime destination for anyone in New England looking for a day trip that will please everyone you pile into the car.
For the adults, there are cider flights that will blow your socks off. For the kids, there are “Uncrustable sammies” made with farm-to-table jam. For everyone, there are cider doughnuts and the chance to go picking fruits and flowers.
Oh, there are also chickens to feed, weekend music and an amazing farm store that’s open year-round.
Amesbury is a hike for most people in the state. But the trip is worth it as a multi-dimensional destination that evolves throughout the course of the year to highlight different seasonal crops and activities.
If you want, you can go out and pick the different fruits on the farm. Or you can sit back and enjoy the wonderful concoctions made from them.
You gotta get the cider
It shouldn’t be a surprise that the best thing Cider Hill makes is its cider, which is grown and pressed right on the farm.
On Saturdays and Sundays in the warmer months, check out the Cider Bar, which has a rotating array of cider options (both hard cider and non-alcoholic).
During my most recent visit, Cider Hill had three apple cider options and five ciders made from less-common fruits (cherry, strawberry, peach, blackberry and raspberry).
Their apple cider is great. But it’s definitely worth going out on a limb and getting one of the alternative fruits. I was a big fan of the cherry cider.
If the Cider Bar isn’t open, you can always dip into the country store, which has a wide variety of the farm’s cider in bottles.
The northernmost ‘restaurant’ in Massachusetts
According to my in-depth research (poking around Google Maps for a while), Cider Hill has the distinction of being the northernmost eatery in the state. Although, where you actually eat depends on when you go.
On weekdays, Cider Hill runs “Eleanor’s Lunch Box,” a lunchtime takeout service inside the country store. Visitors can order their lunch on a touchscreen at the back of the store before picking it up at the nearby cider doughnut counter.
For something savory and satisfying, try the pulled pork sandwich, loaded with meat and cheese on a crispy baguette. For something healthy, the harvest grain bowl is the ideal mix of “delicious” and “good for you.”
There’s also the kid-friendly “Little Farmer’s PB&J” box, which includes a fruit cup, chips, a juice box and a homemade “Uncrustable”-style sandwich made with Cider Hill’s own jam.
On weekends (weather pending), meals are served out of “The PitchFork Food Truck,” located conveniently next to the Cider Bar.
The food truck menu leans a little heartier, featuring a burger bowl, tacos and sausages. However, you can still get a “Little Farmer’s” box.
Technically, that box is designed for kids. But if you’re as fascinated as I was with the farm-made “Uncrustable,” I can confirm that adults can order it without issue. I can also confirm that it’s delicious. I want the option to order those by the dozen.
What to know when going to Cider Hill Farm
While many parts of Cider Hill are seasonal, their awesome farm store is open year-round. That’s where you can get your cider doughnuts, farm produce, farm-made jams and ciders.
It’s also a great shop for unique local goods, such as ice cream and bread.
For everything else, keep in mind that activities at Cider Hill are constantly changing.
The farm is quieter during the week and has more activities going on over the weekend. That’s when you’ll see the Cider Bar open and more events happening.
Things really pick up during the summertime. That’s when all the “pick your own” options start to open up — complete with a tractor ride to your field.
Plenty of places have apple picking. But Cider Hill offers the option to pick six (soon to be seven) types of fruit and also lets you cut fresh flowers.
Cider Hill “Pick Your Own” Schedule
- Strawberries (starting early June)
- Raspberries (starting late June)
- Blackberries (starting in July)
- Flowers (starts early to mid-July)
- Blueberries (starting mid-July)
- Peaches (starts late July)
- Apples (starts late August)
- Cherries (coming in 2026)
Meanwhile, the “pick your own” windows are only available for a month or two. You can check out the current “pick your own” schedule here.
If you’re looking to do something specific at Cider Hill, make sure to check out their Happening Today page or their Farm Events page.
Check them out — Website | Facebook | Instagram
What’s the address? — 45 Fern Ave, Amesbury, MA 01913
What’s the parking situation? — Cider Hill Farm has ample private parking, even when it’s busy. Be prepared to have attendants direct you on where to park.
When are they open? — Here are the listed business hours at the time of writing.
Farm Store: seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Eleanor’s Lunch Box: Monday-Friday, 11 am. – 2 p.m.
The PitchFork Food Truck: Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
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Mass. Hidden Gems is a series highlighting restaurants and other businesses across the Bay State that we think deserve more attention. You can check out the rest of the series here.
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