Apple Picking In and Around Westchester
Can you believe it? Apple picking season is upon us. And while the start of the school year isn’t always easy, there’s something special about fun fall activities like apple picking that makes this transition a little easier. These farms in Westchester (and the surrounding areas) offer fun experiences for kids of all ages with delicious apple cider donuts, rides, animal experiences, and of course apples! Check out our list below of the best places to pick apples in the area!
Westchester County Apple Picking
Pick-your-own apples at Harvest Moon & Orchard starts in September and runs until October. Enjoy beautiful views of the Hudson Valley and fall foliage, families will also love eating their signature warm apple cider donuts and enjoying a BBQ lunch with live music in the background. After apple picking, be sure to visit their on-site store for local produce, pies, breads, and fresh baked goods. Open from Monday-Sunday from 9:00am-5:00pm. 130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY 10560. 914-485-1210, harvestmoonfarmandorchard.com
A family-operated story since 1828, families will love spending a day at Stuart’s for apple picking, a hayride, and shopping at its farm stand to purchase apple cider donuts and homemade pies. Opens for apple picking on September 6th from 9:00am-6:00pm. 62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs, NY 10527. 914-245-2784. www.stuartsfarm.com
Wilkens opens for the season in August. The pick-your-own apple season starts in September and runs until mid-October where you and your family can pick a variety of apples such as Gala, McIntosh, Baldwin, Golden Delicious, Crispin, and Fuji. Apple cider donuts, pies, loaf breads, strudels, brownies, and more are available for purchase at the on-site bakery. Pick-your-own hours are 10:00am-4:30pm from Wednesdays-Mondays. 1335 White Hill Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598. 914-245-5111. wilkensfarm.com
Dutchess County Apple Picking
This farm offers Cortland, Gala, Calville Blanc D’Hiver, and Yarlington Mills for picking. Stay tuned to their social media channels for the announcement of their opening date. 8 Crosby Lane, Rhinebeck, NY 12572. 845-876-3231. rhinebeckapples.com
Reservations are required before you pick at this popular farm. Families can pick from over a 100 varieties of apples (depending on the month/when you visit). Apple picking starts at the end of August where you can find Earligold apples and Ginger Gold apples. In September, families can pick Fuji, Empire, Gala, Red Delicious, and more. However, their apple (and other fruit) offerings are constantly changing so check out their website and social media pages before you visit. 9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction, NY, 12533. 845-897-4377. www.fishkillfarms.com
Rose Hill Farm offers tons of apples for picking from late-August to mid-October. There is also an on-site market, a tap room, music and special events, and regular pop-ups throughout the season. Additionally, this family-owned farm utilizes holistic growing practices with a focus on plant and soil health. 14 Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook, NY 12571. 845-758-4215. www.pickrosehillfarm.com
You can pick apples at this family-owned farm from late-August to early October. Here you can find Red Rome, Stayman-Winesap, Jonamac, McIntosh, Gala, Red Delicious, and more. There are also four-miles of farm trails for walking/exploring and a family of goats behind the market that your kids will love feeding. 227 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook, NY 12571. 845-758-1234. www.greigfarm.com
Find apples for picking from late-August to October at this farm. Varieties include Macintosh, Jonamac, Honey Crisp, Gala, Empire, Cortland, Red and Golden Delicious, Ida Red, Mutsu, Jonagold, Staymen, Northern Spy, Fuji, Rome, and Granny Smith. There is also a concession stand at the farm where you can get ice cream, apple cider donuts, milkshakes, and more. Admission starts at $7 per person from Monday-Thursday and $10.00 per person from Friday-Sunday. Kids under two are free. 306 Frozen Ridge Rd, Newburgh, NY 12550, 845-562-4268. lawrencefarmsorchards.org
Apple picking starts at the end of August where you can find Cameo, Cortland, Crimson Gold, Galam Querina, Pink Lady, RubyFrost, SnapDragon, and tons more. 15 Scism Road, Tivoli, NY 12583. 845-756-5641. www.meadorchards.com
Rockland County Apple Picking
Dr. Lucy Virginia Meriweather Davies started a farm in Congers, NY in 1891. Today, the fourth and fifth generations of The Davies Family continue the legacy, welcoming everyone to see the last family farm in Congers. Apple picking begins on August 31st, and will be available from 10 am to 4 pm on both weekends and weekdays. With over 5,000 trees and 27 different apple varieties across 65 acres, visitors can rent picking poles for hard-to-reach apples. All orchard visitors must purchase an apple bag for their pickings. Admission is $15 per person, which includes a 1/2 peck bag, or you can upgrade to a 1/2 bushel bag for $57, including admission for up to 5 people. Families should note that apple picking is cash only. 306 NY-304, Congers, NY 10920, 845-268-7020, www.drdaviesfarm.com
Ulster County Apple Picking
Take a road trip to the Apple Hill Farm in New Paltz. The pick-your-own season starts in September where you can find McIntosh, Opalescent, Empire, Mutsu aka Crispin, and more. The farm store also sells apple cider and apple cider donuts as well as offers hayrides. 124 Route 32 South, New Paltz, NY 12561. 845-255-1605. applehillfarm.com
The season at Hurd’s kicks off in August, with their Fall Festival on August 24th. Apples at the farm include Ginger Gold, Paula Red, Empire, SnapDragon, and more. All apples must be picked in a Hurds Family Farm Bag that is purchased before you start. The farm also offers rides and attractions for kids, such as a cow train, obstacle course, hayride, corn maze. and a mini zip-line. 2187 State Route 32 Modena, NY 12548. 845-883-7825. www.hurdsfamilyfarm.com
This orchard opens in September where you and your family can find over 500 varieties of apples. Some types of apples include Gala, Honeycrisp, Empire, Cortland, and more. 69 Yankee Folly Road, New Paltz, NY 12561. 845-255-0999. www.jlorchards.com/u-pick/apple-picking
Apple picking at Kelder’s Farm runs from mid-August to October. Varieties include Ginger Gold, Jonamac, Honeycrisp, Empire, Rome, Crispin, and more. This farm is also known for their plethora of activities where you can enjoy corn mazes and farm attractions. Some popular options include a jumping pillow, combine slides, and mini golf. Kelder’s Farms is also home to the World’s Largest Garden Gnome, which is sure to be super fun for some memorable family pictures. 5755 US Route 209, Kerhonkson, NY 12446. 845-626-7137. keldersfarm.com
Pick apples starts early September at the Prospect Hill Orchards’ family of farms. This includes the Homestead Farm at Prospect Hill where you can find 15 acres of apples, along with a pond and picnic area; the Hilltop Farm at Prospect Hill with incredible views and easy-to-pick apples; or the Clarke’s Family Farm, a working farm. You can also enjoy a tractor pulled hayride, a corn maze, and the chance to hand press your own cider. 40 Clarkes Lane, Milton, NY 845-795-2383. prospecthillorchards.com
Surrounding Areas
The apple-picking season runs from late August to late November at Ochs Orchard. Families don’t need a reservation to pick. In addition to the apples, Ochs has an on-site farm market stocked with seasonal fruits and veggies and a stand where you can get homemade ice cream! 4 Ochs Lane, Warwick, NY 10990, 845-986-1591, www.ochsorchard.com
At Bishop Orchard, families can stop by during apple-picking season from late August to late October. While at Bishop Orchard’s, visit their farm market stocked with fresh produce, cheese, bakery items, and bulk staples. Families can also enjoy ice cream, cider, and wine. 1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT 06437, (203) 453-2338, bishopsorchards.com
At Samascott Orchards, families can begin enjoying pick-your-own apple season at the end of July when the arrival of their early apples become available. The admission fee is $5.00 per person, with a discounted price of $2.50 for seniors aged 65 and above. Children aged nine years and below and military personnel carrying ID can enter for free. The produce is priced per pound and is not included in the admission fee. You can get a discount of 10% if you pick produce worth $20 or more. 5 Sunset Ave, Kinderhook, NY 12106, (518) 217-2868, samascottorchards.com
