Autumn is here, and that means it’s time for all things apple! Apple pie, apple cider, apple crisp, cider donuts… If you are in New York City and craving these delicious flavors, one of the best fall activities you can do is to go apple picking. I make a point to go every year and have created a list of the best places to go apple picking near NYC.
All of these apple orchards and farms are within a two-hour drive of the city (depending on traffic). They make great day trips from New York City. Not only can you enjoy apple picking, but you can also take in the fall colors, browse farm stands, and indulge in a slower pace for the day.
Whether you like McIntosh, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, or Gala apples, you can find a wide variety at these New York apple orchards. So get ready to fill your bags with apples galore!
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Tips for Apple Picking Near NYC
- Wear comfortable shoes. Of course, an apple orchard presents a great backdrop for photos, but don’t sacrifice practicality for fashion when it comes to footwear. Wear shoes that allow you to walk over uneven ground.
- Twist, don’t yank. The easiest way to pick an apple is to cup it in your hand and gently twist it off the branch.
- Go on a weekday. These orchards tend to be much busier on weekends, so if you’re able to go on a weekday, you’ll avoid the crowds. However, be sure to check an orchard’s schedule in advance, as some places are closed on certain days.
- Bring cash. Most places are either cash-only or prefer cash for parking and entrance fees.
- Rent a car. These orchards near NYC are most easily accessible by car, so if you don’t already have one, I recommend renting a car for the day. Plus, this allows you more flexibility in your day.
7 Best Places to Go Apple Picking Near NYC
Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm
Address: 1335 White Hill Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY
Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm was one of the first places I went apple picking near NYC, so I have a soft spot for them. They’ve been in operation for over 100 years, and offer a classic fall farm experience.
There are over a dozen types of apple trees to pick from, including Red and Gold Delicious, McIntosh, and Macoun. In addition to picking your own apples, you can pick your own pumpkins to take home as well.
Wilkens has everything you could want from a fruit farm bakery. They have pies, strudels, and cider donuts that are delicious and so fresh you can watch them being made. For an extra sweet treat, try their Apple Cider Float (only available on weekends).
Fishkill Farms
9 Fishkill Farm Rd, Hopewell Junction, NY
Fishkill Farms has been in the Morgenthau family’s hands for over 100 years. They grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables on their 270 acres in the Hudson Valley, and are certified growers of Eco Apples. The organic produce at Fishkill Farms benefits local pollinators, and happy bees mean a healthy ecosystem.
Of course, apples and pumpkins are the stars of the show in the fall. You can pick classics like Gala, Cortland, and Fuji apples, plus some fun names like Cox’s Orange Pippin and Kidd’s Orange Red. In addition to apples though, you can also pick wildflowers, pears, and even some raspberries in the fall.
After you’ve had your fill of picking, visit the Treasury Cider Bar for some draft cider and views of the flower gardens and the Catskills Mountains.
Note: If you plan on apple picking at Fishkill Farms, make sure to reserve your spot in advance.
Outhouse Orchards
Address: 139 Hardscrabble Rd, North Salem, NY
I promise apple picking at Outhouse Orchards is more pleasant than it sounds. Beautifully located in Westchester County, it’s a popular spot to bring kids during the fall season.
If you go earlier in the season (September), you can expect to pick apples such as Empire, Gala, and Jonamac, whereas if you go later in the season (October) you can pick Fuji, Crispin, and Baldwin.
Activities for kids include hayrides, bounce houses, and a corn maze. Meanwhile, adults can enjoy some signature Outhouse Orchards hard cider from the comfort of some Adirondack chairs overlooking the rolling hills.
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard
130 Hardscrabble Rd, North Salem, NY
Just across the road from Outhouse Orchards is Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard. Both are great places to go apple picking near NYC if you want to fit multiple locations into one day.
Weekends at Harvest Moon can be particularly busy, because there is so much going on. You can go apple picking, go on a hayride, listen to live music, watch the resident goats, walk through the pumpkin patch, and take family photos in front of several decorated photo-op spots.
One of my favorite things about Harvest Moon is their food. In addition to the traditional country store and food vendors, they also have a full breakfast and lunch menu inside. Try their grilled gruyère sandwich, with slices of apple and a hot pepper chutney.
Pennings Orchard, Farm Market, and Cidery
169 NY-94, Warwick, NY
The Warwick area of New York has some of the best apple orchards near NYC. Located just 55 miles northwest of the city, it is full of rolling hills surrounded by streams, making it perfect for apple trees. One of my favorite spots in Warwick is Pennings.
You could easily spend a whole day at Pennings; they have so much to offer. You can pick apples, say hi to the dairy and mini cows, and go for a tractor ride. On one side of the farm, you can browse the farm market, enjoy some ice cream, and listen to some live music in the beer garden.
Once you’ve done all of that, on the other side of the farm, head up the hill to visit the cidery. Pennings Cidery is the place to be on a Friday night, for folks of all ages. Snack on brick oven pizza while tasting a flight of ciders made from the apples you see around you. (My favorites are “Across the Pond,” “Cold Crash,” and “Gimme Somethin’ Pumpkin.”)
Apple Ridge Orchards
101 Jessup Rd, Warwick, NY
Another great place to go apple picking in Warwick is (the aptly-named) Apple Ridge Orchards. With picturesque hills and well-maintained rows of apple trees, it’s a beautiful spot to spend a fall day.
Apple Ridge has lots of types of apples to choose from- such as McIntosh, Honeycrisp, and Crimson Crisp in September, and Jonagold, Red Delicious, Pink Lady, Ida Reds in October. They also have peaches in the summer and a pumpkin patch in the fall.
If you’re looking to go apple picking near NYC with kids, Apple Ridge is a fun option. Little ones will love climbing on old tractors, feeding the goats and sheep, petting the fluffy Highland cows, and going for a hayride.
Ochs Orchard
4 Ochs Ln, Warwick, NY
Lastly, Ochs Orchard is another place to go apple picking in Warwick, and it’s just a five-minute drive from Pennings. The orchard is beautifully located atop a hill, with picnic tables spread about so you can take in the view while munching on all your fall goodies.
Ochs grows not only apples, but fruits of all kinds, including blueberries, peaches, plums, and apricots. During the fall, you can also take home tomatoes and raspberries.
Ochs has a fantastic farm store, with a homemade ice cream counter in the back. If you have a sweet tooth, you can snack on fresh cider donuts as well.
Honorable Mentions:
- Dr. Davies Farm (North Salem, NY)
- Orchards of Concklin (Pomona, NY)
- Lawrence Farms Orchards (Newburgh, NY)
I hope you are able to enjoy some of these apple orchards near New York City. Each of them has things that make them unique, but most importantly, all of them have apples ripe for the picking.
Good luck making your apple crisp, applesauce, apple pie, or whatever else you decide to do with your apples!
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