The air is crisp, the sun is shining and it’s still comfortable to be outdoors all day long. Here’s a list of our favorite places in Westchester and the surrounding area that offer tons of fall fun. Note that pumpkin patches generally feature a vast display of pumpkins off the vine. It’s Instagram heaven to get a shot of your little ones with huge pumpkins! Take a look at who has pumpkin patches, hayrides, and corn mazes this season!
Be sure to check for apple and pumpkin availability before you head out as they are subject to change.
Barton Orchards
Pumpkin patch, hayrides, corn maze
Weekends are fun at Barton Orchards. Visit the Haunted House, Fun Park, and corn maze. There are hayrides, live music, and amusements for the entire family. Pick-your-own apples and pumpkins plus a country store and The Tap Room are onsite. $15 admission on weekends plus Oct. 1, 9 and 14 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Also, Tree Top Adventures open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily for ages 7 and up at $49.95 per person. Reserve your time slot on their website.
Barton Orchards, 63 Apple Tree Ln., Poughquag. 845-227-2306. stagi
Fishkill Farms
Pumpkin patch, wagon rides, corn maze
Take a wagon ride out to the orchards and pick-your-own sustainably grown apples! There’s also live music, fresh cider donuts and a hard cider garden, and a corn maze that raises funds for charity. The farm store is open and the Farmers & Chefs Food Trucks visit on select dates. See their website for food and music schedule. These Fall Harvest Festivals are held Saturdays and Sundays through October from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pumpkin Decoration on Oct. 26 and 27, allows you to purchase a pumpkin and decorate it with paint, stickers, and glitter. Admission is $5 per person, kids 12 and under are free, this gets you an apple bag to fill with apples and purchase. Corn maze is $3. There’s also yoga every Saturday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. for $18, which gets you free admission to the Festival.
Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction. 845-897-4377. fishk
Greig Farm
Pumpkin patch, feed the goats
You can pick-your-own pumpkins and apples at this Dutchess County farm. The Hudson Valley Farmers’ Market, an on-site grocery store and eatery, serves breakfast, lunch, and to-go dinners. Choose from omelets, wraps, fish tacos, pot pies, chili, soups, burgers, a kids menu, and more. There’s also the SoHu Craft Market with crafts and art by local artisans, a Saturday Seafood Market, and Art Gallery. Take a few quarters and purchase alfalfa pellets to feed the pygmy goats out of your hand as they play in their jungle gym. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through October. Apple picking costs about $25 per bag.
Greig Farm, 227 Pitcher Ln., Red Hook. 845-758-8007. greig
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard
Pumpkin patch, hayrides
Experience hayrides, pony rides, bouncy castles, face painting, and food vendors. There’s a pumpkin patch and apple picking is offered too. Check out the delicious apple cider donuts, fresh pressed apple cider, and specialty beer from Hardscrabble Cider. A Fall Festival is held here every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 27 as well as on Oct. 1, Oct. 9, and Columbus Day on Oct. 14. The events are cash only and can cost between $5 and $10 each, apple picking is $30 per bag. The Festival is very popular so prepare for a crowd and perhaps plan to arrive early or late.
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard, 130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem. 914-485-1210. harve
Hurds Family Farm
Pumpkin patch, hayrides, corn maze
Fall weekends are packed with fun at Hurds Family Farm. You can pick-your-own apples (minimum $8) and pumpkins are priced by size. Free activities include playground area, hiking trails, storybook trail, and a Horse Hoop Toss. Attend on Saturday and Sunday and Columbus Day through Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. VIP Activity Wristband $15 includes corn maze with photo challenge game, mini ABC corn maze, air pillow, apple launcher, cow train and hayride, apple obstacle course, rubber duck derby, giant slide on sand mountain. Express Wristband, $9 includes hayride and corn maze. Children under 3 are free. Other activities offered for an additional fee.
Hurds Family Farm, 2187 State Rte. 32, Modena. 845-883-7825. hurds
Muscoot Farm
Pumpkin patch, hay wagon rides
Attend Pumpkin Picking Weekend at Muscoot Farm on Columbus Day weekend as part of its pumpkin picking autumn celebration. There are also fun activities and games for families. Tractor-pulled hay wagon rides are offered for $3 per person. Free admission, cost for pumpkins. The celebration is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 12, 13, and 14.
Muscoot Farm, 51 Rte. 100, Katonah. 914-864-7282. musco
Outhouse Orchards
Pumpkin patch, tractor rides, corn maze
Pick your favorite pumpkin from the patch, take a ride on the big green tractor, pick your own apples, pears or peaches and have fun in the corn maze where you can learn some interesting facts about apples. The orchard is open daily in October from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $25 for an apple-picking bag. $10 per person for the corn maze. Parking is $10 on weekends, weekday parking is free.
Outhouse Orchards, 139 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem. 914-277-3188. outho
Stuart’s Fruit Farm
Pumpkin patch, tractor rides
Stop by the farm stand to purchase your pre-picked pumpkin. The bakery is open and selling apple cider donuts, pies, and other homemade treats. Take a tractor hayride on weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to see the orchard and farm. Pick-your-own apples from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through November. Contact the farm for pricing.
Stuart’s Fruit Farm, 62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs. 914-245-2784. stuar
Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm
Pumpkin patch, hayrides, corn maze
Visit the farm to pick-your-own apples and pumpkins. There are three shops featuring cider donuts, fresh apple cider, baked goods, snacks, and country-themed gifts and crafts. There’s now White Hill Winery as well open on weekends! The farm is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through October. Minimum to enter orchard for every two adults is a peck bag (about 11-12 lbs.) of apples, $21. Corn maze, $3 per person.
Wilkens Farm, 1335 White Hill Road, Yorktown Heights. 914-245-5111. wilke
Jean Sheff is co-publisher and editor of Westchester Family.
