Share
Photo by Greg Rhein
Here’s where to find your favorite apples, cider, baked goods, hay rides, and other fall treats this year, all within driving distance.
With additional reporting by Michelle Gillan Larkin
Apple picking season has arrived in Westchester County! For some, it’s not fall until that first shiny, juicy apple has been plucked from the highest branch of the tallest tree and an oversized orange gourd has been hauled to the trunk. Just in time to kick off one of the region’s most enjoyable traditions, we’ve picked the top places to pluck the perfect apples. No matter if you’re looking for a fun day trip to one of the Hudson Valley’s premier family fun destinations or just want to pop down the street for a few Granny Smiths and some cider, we’ve got you covered.
Barton Orchards
63 Apple Tree Ln, Poughquag
845.227.2306
Note: A fire recently destroyed several of Barton Orchard’s buildings. Their opening date is TBD. Call to confirm.
Barton Orchards of Poughquag is open for business. Apple picking is available to the public, with live music and events on the schedule throughout the season. The “Bark Park” for dogs is open daily, as well as the petting zoo. Additional activities like hay rides, the corn maze, and a “Fun Park” for family entertainment are also available during festival weekends. Ticketing is not necessary on weekdays, but is required on festival weekends. Check social media for the latest on weekly events, pricing, and hours/fruit and vegetable variety and availability.
View this post on Instagram
Fishkill Farms
9 Fishkill Farm Rd, Hopewell Junction
845.897.4377
Pick-your-own at Fishkill Farms is open by reservation for apples, plus Asian pears, berries, flowers, pumpkins, tomatoes, and more, depending on when you go in the season. The Dutchess County farm will open for apple picking on September 10 and pumpkin picking in late October. The farm also offers wagon rides, music, hard cider sips, and a corn maze throughout September and October. The farm even features sunset cider and farm yoga.
Photo by Grant Delin
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard | Hardscrabble Cider
130 Hardscrabble Rd, North Salem
914.485.1210
More than 30 varieties of apples are prime for the picking at this family-owned-and-operated orchard, including Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Jonagold, and McIntosh, along with Bosc pears, plus pumpkins previously plucked from the vine and plopped down in a large grab-n-go patch. Summer peach picking stretches into early September, and the stocked farm market, hot food, warm apple-cider doughnuts, and house-made Hardscrabble Cider make this a stay-the-day destination.
View this post on Instagram
Outhouse Orchards
139 Hardscrabble Rd, North Salem
914.277.3188
Open for picking from September to November, this orchard grows 15 varieties of apples, like fall faves of Empire, Fuji, McIntosh, Idared, Red and Yellow Delicious, and Rome, alongside harder-to-come-by Cameos, Wine Crisps, and Rhode Island Greenings. Expect three types of pears (Bartlett, Bosc, Seckel) and early-autumn peaches.
View this post on Instagram
Pennings Orchard
169 State Rd. 94 South, Warwick
845.986.7080
Pennings Orchard opens for daily apple picking from 9 p.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Saturday, August 27. No reservations are required (unless a large party is bussing in). During this fall season, hay rides, mazes, and dairy barn tours are just some of the fun you can expect.
Related: Where to Buy Apple Cider Donuts in Westchester County
Photo by Greg Rhein
Soons Orchards
23 Soons Cir, New Hampton
845.374.5471
At Soons Orchards, apple picking will be available for the fall season starting Labor Day weekend, with pumpkin picking soon to follow. Be sure to check out the orchard store, Scotty’s Country Kitchen, the Cider Mill Tap Room, or reserve a seat at one of the orchard’s famous farm dinners.
Photo by Marq Sutherland
Stuart’s Fruit Farm
62 Granite Springs Rd, Granite Springs
914.245.2784
Family-run since 1828, this sprawling orchard offers more than 20 types of apples, including Empire, Jonagold, Jonamac, Macoun, and McIntosh, in addition to Mutsu, Nittany, Northern Spy, Suncrisp, and Winesap. Hop on a hayride, pick a pumpkin from the patch, and don’t miss the fresh apple-cider doughnuts and baked-daily apple pies.
Photo courtesy of Westchester Land Trust
Thompson’s Cider Mill
335 Blinn Rd, Croton-On-Hudson
914.271.2254
An honorary mention, Thompson’s Cider Mill in Croton-on-Hudson opens for the fall season on September 17 and, while public apple picking isn’t available, its farm stand cidery will be open with all the delicious varieties the Best of Westchester orchard grows, along with other delectable farm-fresh products.
Adobe Stock | Encierro
Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm
1335 White Hill Rd, Yorktown Heights
914.245.5111
The 2022 season (late August to mid-December) marks the 106th year of harvest at this fourth-generation, family-owned-and-operated orchard, where 13 apple varieties decorate the branches and range from sweet, juicy Galas, Golden Delicious, Macs, and Macouns to crisp and tart Baldwins, Jonamacs, and Winesaps. A pumpkin patch is also on the premises, with peach-picking at the start of fall, cut-your-own Christmas trees when the air turns chilly, and a winery to usher warm vibes all around.
Photo by Heather Sommer