Nothing says fall like spending a day at the apple orchard or pumpkin patch. Once the leaves start to change, 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 various vegetables and stone fruits that ripen from summer through fall and are available at the farm store, which is open seven days a week. Apple picking is on weekends during the fall, and you must purchase a ticket to 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 is available for purchase), hayrides, fresh apple cider donuts, and two bars while listening to live music. They also host a weekly Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with live music and food trucks. Note: Furry friends are not allowed.
Outhouse Orchards {139 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY 10560}
Enjoy apple picking, pumpkin picking, hay rides, a corn maze, cider, and donuts. There’s a lot to do with the whole family, so plan to spend extra time so the kids can get through the corn maze. The “pick your own” season lasts until October 31. Open seven days a week during the fall season, tickets for their Fall Festival can be purchased ahead of time online for a lower cost. Weekday prices are $12.95 plus a $2.19 fee if purchased online and $18 at the gate. Weekend prices are $15.95 plus a $2.28 fee if purchased online and $20 at the door. To pick apples, there’s an additional fee of $30 for a quarter-bushel bag and $45 for a half-bushel bag.
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. – 6 p.m. through November. Enjoy a fun hayride on the weekends. There is no fee for the orchard, and parking is free. You can come back at Christmastime to pick your own tree! 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). Enjoy a tasty donut and a cup of hot apple cider, or sip on a glass of wine from their onsite vineyard. There is no fee for admission, parking, or hay rides, but the picnic tables are strictly for consuming foods purchased at the bakery. Their fun corn maze is open on the weekends. Open Wednesday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Choose-n-cut Christmas trees start after Thanksgiving!
Apple Ridge Orchards {101 Jessup Road, Warwick, NY 10990}
While Warwick is a bit of a hike from Westchester, Apple Ridge Orchards is a great spot to pick your own apples and pumpkins. Admission for adults and kids over two is $3 and includes parking, entrance to the pumpkin patch, petting zoo, play area, and farm stand. You pay for the apples and pumpkins you pick, which are $14, no matter the size! They are open Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. until Halloween.
Barton Orchards {63 Apple Tree Lane, Poughquag, NY 12570}
There’s so much to do at Barton Orchards. In addition to picking your own apples and pumpkins, they have a hayride, petting zoo, corn maze, tree-top adventures, playground, live music, and a dog park. There’s also a tap room for guests 21+ to enjoy. They are open daily from 11 a.m. to 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. to 5 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. Admission is free, but guests over three must purchase a bag of apples. Prices are $17 for a half-peck bag or $62 for a half-bushel bag, which covers the cost for five people.
Fishkill Farms {9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533}
Fishkill Farms offers apple and pumpkin picking, farm animals, hayrides, food, and a Fall Harvest Festival with other family-friendly activities every weekend. The festival is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until October 27. Pick-your-own reservations are required. Store hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pets are prohibited in the “pick-your-own” areas.
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. They are open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the farm is $7 per person, Monday through Thursday, and $10 Fridays through Sundays. Children under two years old are free. Season passes are also available.
