Autumn season is approaching fast and so are fall festivals with the traditional apple orchards and pumpkin picking. It never gets old especially if you have kids, and it doesn’t necessarily mean bouncing castles and crowds. Instead could just be a day trip spent in nature and a handful of apples afterward.
We rounded up some of our faves from the Hudson Valley to NJ, the no-frills, the most crowded and the no car destinations ones.
Before you go: We recommend calling a day before to check their operation times as well as reservations. Most of the orchards and farms are cash only! Some are pets friendly . So now are you ready to discover them with us? Let us know if we have a beloved that was worth mentioning here.
- https://www.fishkillfarms.com/ is where you can find Eco-Certified Apples, no frills, on certain day wagon rides, and live music is offered. Appointment only for PYO. Price goes from $48 (festival weekends) to $32. Each reservation includes admission for 5 people (anyone age 2 and up). Anyone beyond that initial allotted group of 5 will be charged $5 per person. Donuts and fresh pies. Dogs allowed but only in certain areas. No car no problem. You can take the Metro north to Beacon and then a cab ride (15 minutes) to the farm.
- https://www.greigfarm.com/ you can spend the night at their School house barn. You only pay for what you pick. All crops are priced per pound. Dogs allowed. Farmer’s market serve breakfast and lunch. Trailways buses daily from NYC and they will drop you off right in the heart of New Paltz. From there, taxis, Ubers, and Lyfts are available to our orchards (approximately a 7-minute drive from town).
- https://www.loveapplefarm.com/ This is a 2 hr drive up North and has a farm petting zoo and a playground. Farm market and coffee shop with local products. We love this orchard on our drive back from the https://www.artomi.org/ which we recommend visiting at least once! No dogs allowed, but in the patio.
- http://maskers.com/ is the perfect location to stop after a foliage day trip. Admission, bags provided and parking are free. Yes, you can park the car under the tree! Apples: $33.95 per half a bushel (2 pecks). Pies and donuts . Pet friendly. Perks:Pony Rides, Maze, & Haunted HouseAccessible by public transportation Take the New Jersey Transit’s #196 or #197 bus from Port Authority to the Warwick Station (the bus route is via Willowbrook). The orchard is 1 mile down the road.
- http://www.penningsorchard.com/ another no-frills orchard. $35 per half a bushel. Each car must purchase at least one bag to enter. (This includes parking, admission to play area, farm animal barn, goat and pig area, kiddie maze, AND approximately 22 lbs of delicious apples. No pets. No reservation required.
- http://www.wilkensfarm.com/ this is one of the most popular accessible by Metro-North(Hudson Line) train to Croton-Harmon or Peekskill station and a taxi/Uber/Lyft from there. The ride to the farm is approximately 15 minutes. No pets. No reservations needed. Market sells baked goods and snack.
- http://outhouseorchardsny.com/pick-your-own/ by reservation only! Pre-pay $30.00 for a small bag (15 lbs of fruit) or $45.00 for a large bag (25 lbs of fruit). Perks: hay ride and corn maze. Homemade pies and produce. Yes pets.No cars no problem, Take Metro North Railroad from Grand Central to Croton Falls station stop. Cabs wait at the station to take city folks to the Orchards, three miles up the road.
- https://www.alstedefarms.com/ farm animals, maze, and Sunflower trails (extra fees). Must book online pyo activities. A harvest moonlight event is available with an extra fee, for night time hayride fun. They offer handicap-accessible hay wagon rides with advanced notice. No Pets allowed on orchard yes by animal area. Fresh produce market, baked goods.Also accessible by NJ transit.
- https://www.riamedefarm.com/ and old fashion apple farm, beautiful scenery, avoid weekends as it gets very crowded. No pets allowed.
- Sun High Orchard: hay ride, petting zoo, and alpaca. Apple sold by the pound.
- https://harvestmoonfarmandorchard.com/ General Admission is $15 per person and includes access to the panoramic, hillside orchard (apples purchased separately), Live Music, and Farm Store shopping! BBQ! Full breakfast menu on weekends. Fresh Cider Donuts, Pumpkin Patch! Be advised this orchard gets very very crowded on weekends! Apple picking bags price goes from $15 to $40. No pets allowed.
- https://vonthunfarms.com/ general admission is $17 per person unlimited hayrides to the pumpkin patch, 20+ activities & attractions, access to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch on no apple/ pumpkin included. No pets allowed.
10 Long Island Apple Picking Orchards to Visit in 2022
- Hank’s Pumpkintown
- Harbes Family Farm and Orchard
- Hayden’s Peach Orchard
- Lewin Farms
- Milk Pail Farm
- Seven Ponds Orchard
- Wickham’s Fruit Farm
- Windy Acres Farm
- Woodside Orchards
Are you looking for dog friendly apple picking?
- Apples Dave Orchard (Warwick)
- Dr Davies Farm
- Outhouse Orchards
- Apple Ridge Orchards
- Masker Orchards
- Wright’s Farm
- Wilklow Orchards
- Barton Orchards
- Stuart Farm
- Harvest Moon Orchards
- Woodside Farm
- Fishkill Farm
- Stone Ridge Orchards
How to store your bushel of apples
Store apple in a cool place, fridge keeps them fresher, cool air maintains juiciness, quality and crispness. You can also store apples in cardboard box or ventilated burlap bag. Few times a week spray them with water.
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Casey says
Love all this info and places to visit! Welcoming a grand and unique experiences😁 thanks for sharing!
marfo76 says
Thanks Casey! I appreciate your time reading it and your feedback ❤️