HUDSON VALLEY, NY — As the crisp days of fall unfold, there's time to plan a trip to an orchard for a bushel or two of the year's finest apples.
Most of these "pick your own" orchards offer a chance to pick up other seasonal vegetables, select farm-fresh foods, and enjoy some family-style events and activities.
Fix Bros. Farm, 215 White Birch Road, Hudson, NY. Cash or check only. Go to their website for the amazing story of their 100-year-old McIntosh apple tree — it's a quick read.
Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm, 1335 White Hill Road, Yorktown Heights.914 245-5111. The apple season started in September, but there could be a couple of weeks left. Pumpkins in October, and in December you can hunt for Christmas trees. Stop by the gift shop for freshly baked cookies, doughnuts and strudel sticks, and check out the wine-tastings.
Stuart's Fruit Farm, 62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs. 914 245-2784. The 200-acre family-owned farm offers nine different varieties of apples as well as pumpkins. Apple picking runs daily from 10am – 5pm through November. There are a variety of over 20 apples to choose; depending on the type of apple the picking period varies. Check out the website to see when your favorite apple is available for picking. If you just want to take a trip to enjoy the farm and enjoy a delicious apple, you can purchase apples in the farm stand.
Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard, 130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem. 914 485-1210. The pick your own season kicks off in September and runs right through the end of October. By reservation only.
Dr. Davies Farm, 306 Route 304, Congers. 845 268-7020. Apple picking every day 10am-4pm. Book a reservation for quick entry or come up to the farm.
The Orchards of Concklin, 2 South Mountain Road, Pomona. 845 354-0369. Open to the public for picking Saturdays and Sundays only, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also visit the farm stand, and taste the fresh-pressed apple cider. The bakery offers delicious pies, cookies, and pastries.
Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction. 845-897-4377. Reservations for Fall Harvest Season are now posted now through Oct. 10. They also have some fun events in store like their Fall Harvest Festivals! Check out the events page to learn more about live music at the cider bar, yoga on the farm, harvest festivals and more.
Apple Hill Farm, 124 Route 32, New Paltz. 845 255-1605. Open Columbus Day. Pick Your Own is Friday thru Sunday, 10am-5pm. through Oct. 16. The farm stand will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Oct. 29.
Hurds Family Farm, 2185 Route 32, Modena. 845 883-6300. Open every day. For Saturdays and Sundays, tickets for apple picking and activities (pony rides start in October) are sold separately. Tickets go on sale the Tuesday before.
Wilklow Orchards, 341 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland. 845 691-2339. Open every weekend to October 31st, 9-6 daily. If you want, you can use a Picker Pole for the apples that are out of reach. You have a choice of a Large or Small Bag. The Large Bags hold 20-25 lbs, and get 4 people (anyone 5 or over) in the Orchard, and the Small bags hold 10-12 Lbs and allow two people in. You can buy as many bags as you like! We will also give you a detailed map of the orchard. You can pick out what types of apples you want, and you will know where to find them!
Greig Farm, 227 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook.845 758-1234. The farm is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. The farm has been open to the public for more than 60 years. Apple picking began in late August and continues through late October. The family of pygmy goats can be found playing on their jungle gym and rolling around mountains of hay all year round. Bring a few quarters to feed the goats alfalfa pellets from your hand.
Rose Hill Farm, 1798, 19 Rose Hill, Red Hook. 845 758-4215. Pick your own 3pm-dusk Thursdays and Fridays, and 10am-5pm Saturdays and Sundays. You can peruse offerings in the Taproom, select snacks and order your wine, cider, beer at the bar. For food pop-ups, live music, events and classes, see details on their Events page.
Lawrence Farm Orchards, 39 Colandrea Road, Newburgh. 845 562-4268. During picking season we are open daily from 9am-4pm. In addition to apples we have Seedless table grapes, Concord and Niagara grapes, Sweet Corn, eggplant, broccoli, green beans, tomatoes, radish, swiss chard, peppers, kohlrabi, chinese cabbage, kale, and zucchini. Admission to the farm is $7 per person Monday-Thursday $10 per person Friday-Sunday and Holidays (season passes are available). Children 2 and under are free.
