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Apple Picking in New York: Your Family Will Love These 11 Orchards

Apple Picking in New York: Your Family Will Love These 11 Orchards

Here's a list of the top orchards and farms to go apple picking on Long Island, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, and New Jersey.


When September rolls around, I get excited about one big thing (no, not back-to-school season…): apple picking in NY! The fall brings us cute boots and sweaters, preparing to cozy up by a fire, and pick-your-own apples! I also think a trip to the farm isn’t complete without a cup of delicious apple cider, followed by homemade treats (I’m looking at you, apple cider doughnuts!) to show the fruits of our labor (ha!). If you’re ready for apples galore, then check out these farms where you can go apple picking near NYC, including apple orchards on Long Island; in Westchester, Rockland, and Orange counties; and in northern New Jersey. Your family will have a blast picking fresh apples and checking out the various activities offered at each place, including petting zoos, corn mazes, and sunflower mazes and flower picking.

A few things to keep in mind: Apple picking dates are approximate as of the writing of this article since crops are based on weather conditions. Always check the farm’s website or call ahead to confirm availability and COVID-19 guidelines given the ever-changing conditions. And don’t forget proper footwear as fields can be muddy or have uneven ground. Most farms don’t allow pets or picnicking (or any outside food, for that matter).

And before you head out, make sure to read these 10 tips for a successful apple picking outing with your kids!

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Apple Picking on Long Island

1. Lewin Farms

812 Sound Ave., Calverton
Apple Orchard: Fresh Pond Avenue, approximately 2 miles east of farm stand, follow signs
631-929-4327
Instagram
Hours: Farm stand: Wednesday-Monday, 9am-5pm; u-pick fields: daily, 9am-4:30pm; call each day for u-pick availability
Cost: Call for u-pick prices. Keep in mind: U-pick fields are cash only; there is an ATM located at the farm stand.

Apple picking is slated to begin in late August/early September and may not be available every day.  The farm provides containers, but you are welcome to bring your own. There is a large variety of u-pick fruits and veggies, depending on the season, including berries, apples, tomatoes, peppers and pumpkins. Find the u-pick schedule online. Plus, the whole family will enjoy exploring the corn maze! Don’t forget to stop by the farm stand, which sells fresh fruits and veggies, many of which are grown on the farm, and delicious ice cream with the farm’s own fruit inside!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by lewinfarms (@lewinfarms)

2. Milk Pail Fresh Market

Market: 1346 Montauk Highway, Watermill
U-Pick: 50 Horsemill Lane, Watermill
631-537-2565
FacebookInstagram
Hours: Market: year-round, Monday and Wednesday-Saturday, 9:30am-5:30pm; Sunday, 10am-5:30pm. U-pick: Labor Day weekend through October: Friday-Sunday, 10am- 5:30
Cost: 5 pound bag price admits one person into the orchard: $15.75 credit card; $15 cash. 10 pound bag price admits up to four people into the orchard: $30.45 credit card; $29 cash. 

Apple and pumpkin picking are this farm’s specialty. The farm has lots of varieties of apples during picking season—all ideal for adding lots of flavors to your homemade pie!  And when you’re finished picking, treat yourself to cider and baked goods at the farm stand. 

 

3. Wickham’s Fruit Farms

28700 Main Road, Cutchogue
631-734-6441
FacebookInstagram
Hours: U-pick: Monday-Saturday 9am-3pm; Retail farm stand: Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm
Cost: Call to confirm pricing

Picking fruit here is like making your mark on history: Wickham’s fruit is grown on some of the oldest continually cultivated land in the country! Much of the farm dates from 1661 and a large portion of it has been placed in Suffolk County’s Farmland Preservation programs. Apple picking is estimated to start in late September or early October, and the farm asks that you call ahead to confirm availability. Note: You can only use the containers the farm provides; personal bags, plastics, etc. are prohibited. Wagon rides are available on Saturdays during the apple-picking season; it’s a great way to get to the orchards but also to view the farm! When you’re done picking, try the delicious apple cider, which is pressed from the oldest cider press on Long Island (built in 1902!), and some homemade apple cider doughnuts.

Apple Picking in Westchester County

1. Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard

130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem
914-485-1210
FacebookInstagram
Hours: Pick-your-own apples available by reservation. Apple picking season begins in September.  Farm store: Monday-Sunday, 9am-5pm 
Cost: Call for information.

Pick-your-own apples  are available in September and October. And that’s just the start of the fun at this farm and orchard! Bring the family to enjoy the farm, which offers expansive and panoramic views of the Hudson Valley. Browse the farm store, which sells a variety of groceries including farm-raised meats, dairy product fresh produce and more. 

 

2. Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm

1335 White Hill Road, Yorktown Heights
914-245-5111
FacebookInstagram
Hours: Farm is open Wednesday-Monday starting late August through mid-December; pick-your-own is available daily, 10am- 4:30pm when fruit is in season. Apple picking is anticipated to start Sept. 3; check website for updates.
Cost:  Call for pricing; The minimum to enter the orchard for every 2 adults is 1 peck bag of apples and the minimum to enter the orchard for every 3-4 adults is a 1/2 bushel bag of apples.

Here you’ll find a variety of pick-your-own options, including apples in September and pumpkins in October. Just make sure to call before visiting to confirm the availability of fruit.  Picking poles are available to rent to help you reach for the higher apples (there is a rental fee). You can take a hay wagon to that week’s picking orchard, which your children will love. Plus, the three (!) markets—the Apple Farm Market, Country Market, and Bakery—are open daily, 10am-5pm. You can take home freshly baked pies, apple cider, apple cider doughnuts, and other treats. Adults will love visiting the winery and the tasting room, and your kids will have a blast in the corn maze. (maze hours: Wednesday-Monday, 10am-5pm).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm (@wilkensfarm)



3. Outhouse Orchards

139 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem
914-277-3188
FacebookInstagram
Hours: Pick-your-own reservations available on the website.
Cost: Pre-pay $30 for a small bag (15 lbs of fruit) or $45 for a large bag (2 lbs of fruit).

Take in the beautiful fall foliage as you stroll through these orchards. September and October will be full of apples for picking—and there are pole pickers to borrow for the hard-to-reach spots. With the beautiful views surrounding the farm, you’ll love taking the hayride with breathtaking views of the orchards and the surrounding Hudson Valley. And your family will love the farm stand, which sells doughnuts, pies, preserves, honey, flowers, and a variety of farm goods.

 

Apple Picking in Rockland County

1. Orchards of Concklin

2 S. Mountain Road (off Route 45), Pomona (for GPS use 1010 Route 45, Pomona)
845-354-0369
Facebook
Hours: Pick-your-own apples projected to start Sept. 11; store: daily, 9am-5pm
Cost: half-peck bag is $13 per person

Not only are you able to come enjoy apple picking, but the orchard also has a farm stand featuring fresh-pressed apple cider and a delicious bakery filled with pies, cookies, and cakes. Retail Store is fully open and curbside pickup is still available. Nursery and Garden Center open daily, 9am-5pm. Check the website for the pick-your-own schedule.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by MariaLena (@maria_lena)

Apple Picking in Orange County

1. Ochs Orchard

4 Ochs Lane (off Route 94), Warwick
845-986-1591
FacebookInstagram
Hours: Store: year-round, daily, 9am-6pm. Call to confirm u-pick hours.
Cost: Prices to be announced. Parking is free. 

Apple picking begins in mid September and runs through early November. Choose from a variety of apples, including golden delicious, ruby frost, honeycrisp, snapdragon and many more.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ochs Orchard (@ochsorchard)

Apple Picking in New Jersey

1. Demarest Farms

244 Werimus Road, Hillsdale
201-666-0472
FacebookInstagram
Hours: Apple season begins Sept. 3.Check the u-pick schedule online. Reservations required.
Cost: $7 ages 2 and older, includes parking and entrance to orchard; free for kids younger than 2; $15 for a bag to hold the apples you pick (bag holds approximately 10-12 lbs.). 

This farm has it all—lots of pick your own fruit varieties, plus a petting zoo, drive-in movie nights, Halloween lights, and more. When you’re done picking, check out the farm store with a bakery, apple cider doughnuts, flowers and fresh produce.

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Demarest Farms (@demarestfarms)

2. Alstede Farms

1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester
908-879-7189
FacebookInstagram
Hours: Farm Store: daily, 9am-6pm; u-pick: daily, 9am-6pm. Last admission at 4:30pm.
Cost: Ticket prices vary. Call or see more information at alstedefarms.com.  

The farm has over 50 different apple varieties. Call in advance or visit the “What Can I Pick Today” portion of the farm’s website to confirm which varieties are ripe for your trip. Check out the corn maze (opening Sept. 2), evergreen maze, and sunflower trail. Many animal friends live on the farm, too. Visit and say hello to horses, goats, donkeys, sheep, cows, chickens, ducks, turkeys and bunnies!

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Alstede Farms (@alstedefarms)


Here at NYMetroParents, we've got everything you need to have a safefun, and festive fall and Halloween season.  Whether it is pumpkin or apple picking, getting lost in a corn maze, making Halloween crafts or finding costumes and decorations, we're here to help. 

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Alison Leighton

Author:

Alison Leighton spent a decade in marketing at Fortune 500 Financial Institutions before leaving that world to focus on the hardest job out there: being a parent. She now does freelance writing and marketing and is the founder of Social Parent NYC, which hosts events for parents and their babies/toddlers. Follow the brand to get creative parenting inspiration about travel and activities on Instagram and Facebook: @SocialParentNYC. She lives in NYC with her husband and son and spends a lot of time reading Corduroy and wondering why Play-Doh smells so good.

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