As the sweltering summer days fade away and cooler breezes sweep in, it’s time to embrace the season of hot cider, vibrant foliage and one of fall’s sweetest traditions: apple picking. Much like summer’s juiciest fruits—strawberries, cherries and blueberries—apples are best enjoyed when picked straight from the tree. Luckily, there’s no shortage of orchards and farms that offer PYO apple picking near NYC.
Take an autumn adventure into New York, Connecticut or New Jersey, and you’ll find plenty of apple orchards that let you fill a whole bushel with your hand picked haul. Perfect for both snacking and baking, these apples are only half the fun of a fall family outing. Many farms also feature hayrides, corn mazes, farm-fresh treats (hot cider donuts, anyone?) and even petting zoos. Just be sure to check crop availability before you go, then get ready to savor the best of fall’s flavors. Looking for more PYO action? Head out to these pumpkin patches near NYC to find your perfect Halloween pumpkin.
Where to go apple picking in NY
1. Apple Ridge Orchards
Location: Warwick, New York
Come September, this bucolic orchard turns into a celebration of all things autumn. Visitors can enjoy PYO apples, animal meet and greets, a hayride, cider donuts and more farm-fresh treats made with the orchard’s own apples. Pick up some honey from the orchard’s hard-working honey bees after you watch them do their thing in the Observation Hive. Enjoy delicious BBQ on the property every weekend in September and October, and don’t miss movie night in October when kids can catch a screening of “Spookley the Square Pumpkin” under the stars. Note: admission and PYO are cash only.
2. Apple Dave’s Orchard
Location: Warwick, New York
Once Labor Day Weekend rolls around, this Hudson Valley hotspot amps its apple activities into high gear. Take a stroll through Apple Dave’s Walking Trail for a selection of Cortland, Rome Beauty, and Jonamac apples, among eleven total varieties that vary by month. Enjoy cider donuts, and farm-fresh goodies plus live music on the weekends. For the 21+ crowd venturing to Warwick without the tots—or for the parents who need a little “me” time—the orchard’s Farm Distillery offers up a handful of New York beers alongside their own signature hard cider.
3. Greig Farm
Location: Red Hook, New York
You’ll find eleven varieties of apples at this Hudson Valley farm, where super-seasonal picks include Ginger Gold, Jonagold, Staymen-Winesap, Blondee, and more. The 300-acre farm, which boasts picturesque views of the Catskill Mountains, is more than a PYO destination: an indoor market boasts local goods from the Hudson Valley (plus sugary apple cider donuts, of course) while you’ll also find a craft market, koi pond, and a converted schoolhouse that can be booked for overnight stays.
4. Dr. Davies Farm
Location: Congers, New York
The Davies Farmhouse was built in 1836 and the rest is history. This New York attraction has long been a popular PYO destination with over 4,000 apple trees and 20 different varieties like Winesap, Golden Delicious, Crispin, and more. Although apple picking is the main attraction, you’ll also find plenty of other seasonal activities like a corn maze and scenic hayrides to the farm’s Pumpkin Patch.
5. Barton Orchards
Location: Poughquag, New York
The pickings at Barton Orchards are plentiful, and we’re not just talking about the apples. Spread throughout 175 acres, the farm is home to a slew of activities that include a corn maze, haunted house, hayrides, and even a treetop climbing adventure with zip lines and rock walls.
6. Hurds Family Farm
Location: Modena, New York
Hurds Family Farm leads the pack with one of the earliest starts for apple picking (their PYO season usually kicks off in late August). Families can mosey their way through the grounds in search of Macoun, SnapDragon, Ginger Gold, and Granny Smith plus other delectable picks. While there, you’d be remiss not to indulge the farm’s playful side: beyond the usual suspects (like hayrides and a corn maze), you’ll also find a giant slide, pony rides, and an obstacle course.
7. Kelder’s Farm
Location: Kerhonkson, New York
Families looking for pick-your-own apples will ample fruit and so much more at Kelder’s Farm. Kids can enjoy the petting zoo, hayrides, a corn maze, and even a giant jumping pillow to burn off extra energy. Everyone can practice their swing at a mini-golf course when they’re done selecting fruits, veggies, herbs, and flowers. Make sure to wave goodbye to the world’s largest garden gnome on your way out.
8. Fishkill Farms
Location: Hopewell JCT, New York
The apples are sweet, but the sweeping landscape is even sweeter at this Hudson Valley farm. Spread across 270 acres, pickers can enjoy a wide selection of eco-friendly apples (about half the farm’s apple trees are organic) like Pixie Crunch, Sweet Sixteen, Shizuka, and Suncrisp. Traveling sans kids? Stop by the farm’s Cider Bar and sample the farm’s estate-made Treasury Cider while soaking in crisp views of the Catskill Mountains.
9. Milk Pail Farm and Orchard
Location: Water Mill, New York
At this Hamptons homestead (which started as a dairy farm), even smaller kids can pluck fruit from short dwarf trees that grow 20 different apple varieties from September to October. To make the most out of your visit, check out the wagon-led farm tours, fresh cider at the Milk Pail country store, and a pumpkin patch with over 60 varieties of gourds—some weighing up to 150 pounds!
10. Lawrence Farms Orchards
Location: Newburgh, New York
This Newburgh orchard isn’t just teeming with apples (of which over a dozen varieties are available, from Empire to Cortland and Macintosh). It’s also a feast of other delicious offerings that’ll fill your basket with a full bounty of autumn’s best flavors. Visit in late September through October for sweet corn, cabbage, winter squash, gourds, and other peak-season picks.
11. Masker Orchards
Location: Warwick, New York
Head to this 200-acre orchard for a truly epic autumnal experience—the farm boasts over 10,000 fruit trees and 14 varieties of apples. As a drive-through orchard, visitors actually pull right up to any clutch of trees they want (so long as the spot isn’t already taken), which makes for a rather private U-Pick experience. We recommend packing a picnic to enjoy alongside your chosen lot.
12. Stone Ridge Orchard
Location: Stone Ridge, New York
There have been fruit-bearing trees at this orchardfor more than 200 years, but this farm’s approach to sustainability is very 21st century. More than a dozen varieties of classic organic apples are ripe for the picking—including classics like McIntosh, Cortland, and Stayman—but much of the land now grows newer breeds on smaller, more densely planted trees, putting less stress on the soil while producing bigger and sweeter fruit. Take a bite and judge for yourselves.
13. Minard’s Family Farms
Location: Clintondale, New York
Your crew will run wild at Minard’s Family Farm, considering the venue comes equipped with a 3-acre corn maze, giant bounce pillow, pumpkin bowling, a petting zoo, and other fun fall activities to make it a full day trip. As for the apple picking? You’ll be treated to more than 100 acres of apple trees. Be sure to swing by the farm stand for freshly baked goods, homemade jams, and quick snacks like hot dogs and fries.
14. Pennings Orchard
Location: Warwick, New York
Create some unforgettable family memories at Pennings Orchard, located on over 50 acres of beautiful farmland. The venue offers over 20 varieties of apples like Ginger Golds, Braeburns, Mutsu, Empire, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, and more. Families can also visit the Pennings Farm Market and pick up all kinds of homegrown produce (think pumpkins, zucchini, and more) as well as fresh goods from neighboring farms. Looking for something sweet? An ice cream counter is open year-round with seasonal flavors and decadent sundaes.
15. Outhouse Orchards
Location: Croton Falls, New York
Don’t let the name discourage you from experiencing this beautiful escape in North Salem. No matter what type of apple you’re craving—Jonamac, McIntosh, or Cortland—Outhouse has you covered while pears and peaches are up for grabs, too. Not only should you stock up on produce, make sure to enjoy all of the farm’s fall activities like corn mazes and hayrides.
Where to go apple picking in NJ
16. Battleview Orchards
Location: Freehold, New Jersey
Considering that Battleview Orchards has been around since 1908, the family-owned-and-operated business certainly has a handle on PYO activities. From sour cherries and sweet peaches to apples and pumpkins, the Jersey farm delivers the goods and then some. While on the grounds, be sure to participate in seasonal activities like scenic weekend hayrides, and don’t miss the tasty snacks at the farm’s Country Store—apple cider donuts, anyone?
17. Demarest Farms
Location: Hillsdale, New Jersey
Demarest Farms is a great place to spend weekend afternoons in the fall, especially as we inch closer to Halloween—beyond apples and peaches, the farm even offers pumpkin picking. After visitors big and small have filled up their baskets, they can hop over to the farm’s petting zoo and playground for an extra dose of fun.
18. Sun High Orchard
Location: Randolph, New Jersey
Starting in September, kids can pick their own apples and take a breather from their harvesting duties for a scoop of homemade ice cream or a bite of fruit pie at this 25- acre orchard. After stocking up on snacks, set up shop for lunch at one of the picnic tables.
19. Alstede Farms
Location: Chester, New Jersey
Leave room in your basket: PYO options abound at this Jersey locale. If you have a hankering for homemade apple goodies, you can catch Lodi, Pristine, and Red Free apples in early August (a surefire way to put you in a fall state of mind). Once the festivities get underway in autumn, kids will not only enjoy apple picking, but they’ll most likely opt for pony rides, walks through the corn maze, and moonlight hayrides. Regardless of the time of year, all Alstede Farms visitors need a cone of homemade ice cream!
20. Wightman’s Farms
Location: Morristown, New Jersey
Think your kid has mastered corn mazes? Then a visit to Wightman’s Farms is in order. It has a plethora of labyrinths, including a giant corn maze, hay bale maze, paver maze, and a challenging rope maze for the adventurous tots. After plucking some Granny Smiths, swing by the market for healthy produce and not-so-healthy homemade apple cider donuts.
21. Giamarese Farm & Orchards
Location: East Brunswick, New Jersey
This 35-acre farm, which is GMO-free, is well worth a visit during the autumn season. Make a pitstop during Fall Harvest Weekends for apple picking, pony rides, a corn maze, and other exciting offerings.
22. Hillview Farms
Location: Gillette, New Jersey
PYO schedules vary by month, but come September it’s all-things apples at Hillview Farms. The 53-acre venue, set on the hills of the Watchung mountain range, is the place to go if you’re craving sweet varieties of apples like Suncrisp (the farmer’s personal favorite), Bumpy Mac, and Honeycrisp. What else? Stock up on homemade pie and take a swig of apple cider from Hillview’s Farm Market.
23. Terhune Orchards
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Right around the corner from Gary and Pam Mount’s main farm, the couple’s Van Kirk Road Orchard is ideal for apple picking, with dwarf trees planted in blocks so that they’re easy to find and plunder (no ladders or poles necessary). Guests can meet farm animals, get lost in a corn maze, take wagon rides, visit the theme story barn—and, naturally, pick plenty of apples and pumpkins. Wooded trails and the barnyard (filled with sheep, goats, and ducks) are open year-round. And for mom and dad, there’s the Terhune Orchards Vineyard & Winery tasting room.
Where to go apple picking in CT
24. Drazen Orchards
Location: Cheshire, Connecticut
Since 1951, this fruit orchard has been growing peaches, Bartlett and Bosc pears, plums, and over a dozen different varieties of apples. But the original trees, which required ladders and poles to harvest, have been replaced with smaller ones grown on trellises (easier to pick than traditional New England varieties that tend to require tricky ladders). At the farm stand, visitors can pick up home-canned preserves, pumpkins, apple cider, and honey (and even get up close to the honeybees during beehive demonstrations).
25. Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard
Location: Shelton, Connecticut
Beardsley’s will keep visitors busy thanks to an orchard of more than 10,000 dwarf apple trees. It’s next to impossible to go home empty-handed from this Connecticut farm. Speaking of which, don’t forget to visit the bakery for pies, cookies, scones, and plenty of other sweets that are equally as irresistible as the fruit selections. We bet you won’t be able to say no to the apple-fried dough.
26. Blue Jay Orchards
Location: Bethel, Connecticut
How can you resist a trip to Blue Jay Orchards? It’s an autumn necessity to find a gourd in the pumpkin patch, sample honey at the farmer’s market, and take home pastries and pies from the bakery. Keep an empty basket on hand for apples—you’ll be able to stock up on varieties like Braeburn, Cortland Stayman, Granny Smith, and many more.
27. Bishop’s Orchards
Location: Guilford, Connecticut
No need to wait until autumn to make a visit to Bishop’s Orchards. The year-round attraction hosts various PYO offerings that vary based on the season, as well as a farmer’s market and winery (for the parents who might want to take a breather). Though visitors have access to the grounds all year, it’s especially delightful during the fall thanks to the annual Halloween parade, pumpkin patch, corn maze, and other offerings celebrating the harvest season.
28. Silverman’s Farm
Location: Easton, Connecticut
Buy a bag and pick your favorite apples—or try less-common varieties like Mutsu Crispin, Nittany, and Cameo—at this farm founded by owner Irv Silverman’s father in the 1920s. The amazing petting zoo also offers more exotic characters, such as buffalo, fallow deer, emus, and llamas. When Halloween rolls around, you’ll also want to make a special visit for the pumpkin patch (bring your camera!) and the farm’s gourds, corn stalks, bales of straw, squash, and scarecrows.
