It’s autumn in the Hudson Valley. Days have gotten cooler, but the sun is still warm and the countryside is exploding with the riot of color that fall brings. It’s a great time for family outings. One of my family’s favorite fall activities is a visit to Barton Orchards in Poughquag, N.Y. We’ve been going to Barton Orchards for nearly 20 years. Whether it’s the incredible selection of apples or the variety of other goodies and attractions, Barton has grown to be one of the best family venues in the Hudson Valley. Owner Peter Barton has spared no expense in making his Orchard a premier destination, and the 2014 season is shaping up to be one of the best ever.
A is for Apple
First and foremost it’s all about the apples and other produce such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and eggplants. In early September, grapes are a favorite and the apples ready for picking during the month include Jona Mac, Gala, Cortland, and my personal favorites: Macintosh, Macoun, Spartans and Empires. In October, the late season apples are tasty Pippins, Fuji, Granny Smiths and Braeburns among other succulent late fall varieties. Visitors can either board the hayride or walk to the orchards, where they can pick their own apples. Fall is also pumpkin picking season and we usually visit the pumpkin patch for our traditional seasonal decorations. For the less ambitious, Barton also has bagged bushels of apples in their farm store along with other fall produce. We never pass up a visit the bakery for our all time favorite treat of freshly made donuts and local cider.
Perennial Favorites
For my family, no trip to Barton Orchards is complete without a visit to the corn maze and the haunted house. The corn maze has grown over the years and always offers a great challenge to our navigation skills. This year the theme of the maze is a tribute to mazes in the movies and it’s a blast! My son used his scouting skills to get us to the finish in nearly record time!
Barton’s also has one of the best “haunted” houses in the area, complete with twisting corridors filled with mind-chilling light and sound effects and a bevy of axe murderers, zombies and killer clowns. The haunted house is not for the faint of heart or younger children, but my 13- and 16-year-old thoroughly enjoyed it.
The orchard also has weekend entertainment during Harvest Season provided by local professional bands playing everything from country western to pop and rock standards.
One of the more recent additions to the orchard is a Smart Farm tracker game played on your phone, along with a Fun Park filled with giant slides and games for all ages. When my kids were younger they especially loved the giant slides and pedal cart racetrack. Letting the kids play at the fun park also gives mom and dad a well-deserved breather.
For younger visitors, the Orchard has farm animals, gem mining, duck race pumps and a wooden ships playground along with a a shooting gallery for older kids and adults.
New This Fall
In addition to all our perennial favorites, this season will have a brand new feature dubbed, “Barton’s Back Yard,” which will sell local craft beers, wine, pizzas and grill food. Newly added to the farm store is a fudge counter which sells calico county fudge made on site in the new fudge kitchen. Barton’s other food offerings include wraps, pulled pork, soft serve ice cream, fried dough and a host of other treats too numerous to list here.
The upshot is that you and your family will love a visit to Barton Orchards. With the wonderful variety of activities, food and entertainment, this farm is a great value and sure to become one of your favorite fall family traditions.
Bob Berry, a writer and illustrator, is a regular contributor to Westchester Family.
