Nothing says fall like spending a day at the apple orchard or pumpkin patch. It’s a Westchester County fall family tradition to go apple picking and pumpkin picking. Luckily, Westchester and the Hudson Valley area have lots of fantastic farms and places to pick your own fruit and enjoy a day of fall family fun!
Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard {130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY 10560}
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard is a family-owned and operated apple orchard in North Salem. Their main harvest is in September with apples, but they also grow a variety of vegetables and stone fruits which ripen summer through fall and are available at the farm store, open seven days a week. The apple-picking season ends on October 30th. Apple picking is on weekends by reservation only during picking season. You do need to purchase a ticket for the farm and a separate bag for picking apples. Your ticket includes entry into the pumpkin patch. You can make a day out of it by having lunch (food available for purchase), hayrides, fresh apple cider donuts, and two bars while listening to live music. Note: Furry friends are not allowed.
Hilltop Hanover Pick Your Own {1271 Hanover Street, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598}
Hilltop Hanover Farm is a working farm and environmental education center owned by Westchester County and operated in partnership with the Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm. Visitors are warmly welcomed and encouraged to take advantage of the fresh, organically grown produce at their farm stand and pick-your-own vegetable gardens, visit with farmers and animals and attend special events and classes. U-pick flowers are open for the season. U-pick vegetables vary weekly. Hours are Fridays from 1 – 5 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Outhouse Orchards {139 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY 10560}
Enjoy apple picking, pumpkin picking, hay rides, corn maze, cider, and donuts. There’s a lot to do with the whole family, so plan to spend some extra time so the kids can get through the corn maze. Reservations are required for each car that enters the farm. Reservation slots will be for a stay of three hours at the farm. Refunds for inclement weather only.
Stuart’s Fruit Farm {62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs, NY 10527}
Stuart’s has apple picking, pumpkin picking, hayrides, fresh produce for sale, and a bakery that bakes pies and apple cider donuts fresh every day. This is a favorite for school trips. There are also picnic areas where you can enjoy a packed lunch or snack from the farm stand. Apple picking runs daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. through November. On weekends they have hayrides too. There is no fee for the orchard and free parking. Come Christmas time, they also have cut your own trees. Cash or check only.
Wilken’s Fruit and Fir Farm {1335 White Hill Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598}
You can pick peaches, apples, and pumpkins at Wilken’s or visit one of the three stores on site, including the bakery, the apple farm market (featuring apples, cider, snacks, jellies, jams, syrup, and other baking needs), and the Country Market (which features local crafts and gifts). There is also a vineyard onsite. There is no fee for admission, parking, or hay ride, but the picnic tables are strictly for consuming foods purchased at the bakery. Open Wednesday – Monday, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Choose-n-cut Christmas trees start after Thanksgiving!
Applewood Orchards {82 Four Corners Road, Warwick, NY 10990}
While Warwick is a bit of a hike from Westchester, Applewood Orchards has enough to make it a whole day excursion. There’s something for everyone between apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, puppet shows, ponds, picnic areas, and county stores. There’s even a distillery open on weekends. Admission for adults and kids over five is $5 on weekends. You pay for the apples and pumpkins you pick. They are open 9 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. until Halloween. Furry friends are welcome.
Barton Orchards {63 Apple Tree Lane, Poughquag, NY 12570}
In addition to picking your own apples and pumpkins, you can also pick seasonal vegetables, such as eggplant, beans, and squash. There is a hayride, petting zoo, corn maze, tree-top adventures, playground, live music, and a dog park. They also have magicians and other entertainment as well. There’s also a tap room for guests 21+ to enjoy. They are open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Admission is generally free, except on festival weekends. There is no charge for parking.
Dr. Davies’ Farm {306 Route 304, Congers, NY 10920}
Apple picking is from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. every day. There are over 20 different varieties of apples to pick from. Davies’ Farm is also dog friendly, as long as the four-legged friends are leashed. Reservations for apple picking are encouraged for quick entry.
Fishkill Farms {9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533}
Fishkill Farms has apple and pumpkin picking, farm animals, hayrides, food, and a Fall Harvest Festival with other family-friendly activities every weekend. Their fall festival hours are from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. until October 30th. Pick your own reservations are required. Store hours are Tuesday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Hurd’s Family Farm {2185 State Route 32, Modena, NY 12548}
Hurd’s Family Farm is truly a fall family fun destination. In addition to apple and pumpkin picking, you’ll find an obstacle course, Big Apple Bounce, an apple launcher, cow train, hayride, pedal karts, rubber ducky derby, playground, giant slide, fish feeding, and hiking trails, prospecting for gems and fossils, and pony rides. There’s also a café on site. Apple picking, pumpkin picking, and other activities are sold separately. Tickets go on sale the Tuesday before. The farm is open from Wednesdays until Sundays.
Lawrence Farm {306 Frozen Ridge Road, Newburgh, NY 12550}
At Lawrence Farm, you can pick more than just apples and pumpkins. In October, expect to find grapes, peppers, greens, turnips, beets, eggplant, broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, pumpkins, gourds, winter squash, and Indian corn. Open seven days a week from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission to the farm is $7 per person, Monday – Thursday, and $10 Fridays – Sundays. Children under two years are free. Season passes are also available. They do charge a convenience fee when paying outside of cash.
Secor Farm {85 Airmont Avenue, Mahwah, NJ 07430}
This New Jersey farm is less than a half-hour over the Tappan Zee Bridge and offers apple picking, pumpkin picking, hayrides, two corn mazes, a petting zoo, and picnic areas. The farm store sells snacks, flowers, produce, and seasonal decor. Open seven days a week from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
