Thousand Acre Farm
A waterfront wedding venue near Middletown with a dwarf-tree apple orchard kids can pick from the ground — by reservation, September into October.
260 S Reedy Point Rd, Middletown, DE 19709 · About 30 minutes
Hours
Hours not posted
Last checked 2026-09-22
- Cost
- $4 entry adult · $4 entry child
- Best for
- All ages, sweet spot 2–8
- Typical visit
- About 1 hour
The Quick Version
- • A family-owned waterfront wedding and event venue near Middletown with a high-density apple orchard of dwarf trees — the fruit is reachable from the ground, which makes it one of the easiest orchards for small kids.
- • Apple picking is by reservation only: book a time slot online. The 2026 season opened Friday, September 4; hours are Thursday–Sunday, 10am–4pm.
- • $4 entry per person, apples $3/lb with a 10 lb minimum. Credit or debit cards only.
- • There are also u-pick sunflowers and pumpkins (pumpkins from October 1). It's a venue first, not a fall-festival farm — come for the picking, not for rides.
Best Ages
All ages, sweet spot 2–8
Plan For
About 1 hour
Adults
$4 entry
Kids
$4 entry
What to Expect
Thousand Acre Farm is a wedding and private-event venue first — two barns on the waterfront, opened in 2013 by founder Mike Hynson and now run by the next generation of his family. Hynson also planted a high-density apple orchard, and in fall the farm opens it to families by reservation.
The orchard is all dwarf trees, so the fruit hangs low enough to pick from the ground. That's the whole appeal for little kids: no ladders, no lifting, no reaching into branches overhead. You book a time slot online, pay a $4 entry per person, and pick at $3 a pound with a 10-pound minimum. Bring a card — they take credit and debit only.
The farm grows about nine varieties, so what you pick depends on the week. Jonamac and Gala come first, Honeycrisp and Crimson Crisp by mid-September, Golden Delicious late in the month, and late apples like Goldrush, Pink Lady and Fuji into mid-to-late October. For 2026, picking opened Friday, September 4, and runs Thursday through Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
U-pick sunflowers are on offer too — handy if you want fall photos — and pumpkins are sold from October 1.
Set expectations: this isn't a fall-festival farm. There are no hayrides, mazes or play areas listed. Because it's a working event venue, picking only happens in booked slots, so don't just drive over.
Who It's Best For
Dwarf trees mean a toddler can pick an apple without being lifted, and a preschooler can fill a bag on their own. Older kids enjoy working through the variety list. There's no play area or activity layer, so the outing is the picking itself.
Highlights
Dwarf-tree apple picking
Ages 2–8A high-density orchard where the apples are reachable from the ground — ideal for toddlers and preschoolers doing their own picking.
Nine apple varieties across the season
All agesFrom Jonamac and Gala in early September to Goldrush, Pink Lady and Fuji in late October. Check the farm's picking calendar and book the week your favorite comes in.
U-pick sunflowers
Families wanting fall photos$2 a stem or 12 for $20. Sunflower photo sessions have their own booking rules — see the farm's orchard page.
Pumpkins from October 1
All ages$10 each or 3 for $25.
What to Skip with Little Ones
- • Driving over without a reservation — apple picking is by booked time slot only.
- • Bringing only cash — they take credit and debit cards only.
- • Expecting a fall festival with hayrides and a play area — this is a picking-only visit.
Logistics
Admission
Adults
$4 entry
Kids
$4 entry
Under
Not specified — the $4 fee is listed per person
$4 entry fee per person, plus apples at $3/lb (10 lb minimum). Credit/debit only — no cash. Pumpkins (from October 1): $10 each or 3 for $25. Sunflowers: $2 a stem or 12 for $20 ($10 minimum). Apple picking must be booked in advance through the farm's online scheduler. Sunflower photo sessions: the first hour is free with a Google review and must be scheduled for when staff are at the farm; a second hour or professional photos are by appointment for $250 (call 302-455-8880).
Getting There
Parking
On-site at the farm, 260 S Reedy Point Rd.
Entrance
260 S Reedy Point Rd, Middletown. Arrive at your booked time.
Parent Logistics
Not confirmed. Orchard rows are grass, so a wagon or rugged stroller will beat a lightweight one — and you'll want something to haul a 10-pound minimum of apples.
Not confirmed — ask when you book.
Not confirmed — plan to change in the car.
Not confirmed. Dwarf orchard trees give little shade; bring hats on a warm September day.
Food & Snacks
No food on-site. No food service for pickers is listed. The farm's own apple-picking advice suggests packing snacks, a picnic lunch and water.
Snack strategy: Pack snacks and water, and bring reusable bags for the haul. A fresh apple from the tree is the obvious snack.
Pro Tips
- ✓ Book your slot online before you leave home.
- ✓ The 10 lb minimum adds up fast with a family — bring sturdy reusable bags and a wagon if you have one.
- ✓ Match your visit to the picking calendar: Honeycrisp comes in mid-September, while Fuji and Pink Lady are mid-to-late October.
- ✓ The farm's own website lists (302) 455-8880 for bookings; the state's U-pick guide lists 302-893-3510. Try the website number first.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
September through mid-October, Thursday–Sunday 10am–4pm, by reservation. Pick your week by variety: Jonamac and Gala early, Honeycrisp mid-September, late apples like Fuji and Pink Lady in mid-to-late October.
Seasonal Notes
2026 apple season opened Friday, September 4. Hours: Thursday–Sunday, 10am–4pm, by reservation. The farm's picking calendar: Jonamac and Gala in late August/early September; Honeycrisp and Crimson Crisp mid-September; Golden Delicious late September; Shizuka early October; Goldrush, Pink Lady and Fuji mid-to-late October. U-pick pumpkins are listed from October 1. U-pick sunflowers are offered too — check the farm's social media for timing and updates.
Rainy Day?
It's an outdoor orchard with booked slots — reschedule for a dry day rather than picking in the rain.
While You're in the Area
Fort DuPont State Park and Delaware City are a short drive north for a riverfront walk. Middletown's Main Street is the lunch option heading south.
Upcoming Events
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