Apple Picking In and Around Westchester 2023
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 on August 19th in celebration of their 107th year of harvest. The pick-your-own apple season starts on September 2nd 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
Barton Orchards opens for the season on August 12th where families can enjoy access to their tap room, petting zoo, dog park, playground, and on-site farm store. The farm is also undergoing some construction this year with apples available for picking in mid-August. 63 Apple Tree Lane, Poughquag, NY 12570. 845-227-2306. bartonorchards.com
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. 19 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. 223 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. 39 Colandrea Road, 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
This orchard is only open on Saturdays and Sundays for apple picking from 11:00am-4:30pm. Every person who enters the farm is required to purchase a 1/2 peck bag for $16. Additional options include a full peck bag for $32 and 1/2 bushel bag for $60. The season kicks off on September 9th and may run until October 22nd, depending on the availability of crops. 2 South Mountain Road Pomona, NY 10970. 845-354-0369. www.orchardsofconcklin.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 on August 26th with a fall festival. 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 opens on September 5th 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
Open for apple picking from Labor Day Weekend until October 31st, Wilklow Orchards offers a variety of apples such as Macintosh, Gala, Cortland, Empire, Macoun, JonaGold, Mutsu, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Winesap, Rome, Fuji, Cameo and more. They offer a large or small bag for picking. The large bags hold 20-25 pounds, and get four people (ages five and up) in the orchard while the small bags hold 10-12 pounds and allow two people in. There are food trucks on the farm from Friday-Sunday where you can get pizza and fries as well as live music every Friday and Saturdays from 6:00pm-9:00pm. 341 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland NY, 12528, 845-691-2339. www.wilkloworchards.com
