Fall’s arrival brings with it weekend visits to local farm markets for hayrides, hot apple cider donuts, and apple picking. There are dozens of orchards on Long Island, as well as Westchester County and northern New Jersey, that have pick-your-own fields with a variety of apples to choose from.
Before you head to your local farm, be sure to check whether reservations or an entrance fee are required. If you’re planning to go later in the day, call first to make sure the field is still open for picking.
New York
Long Island
Situated on the South Fork of Long Island, Hank’s Pumpkintown grows more than a dozen different apples. Choose from Snow Sweet, Suncrisp, Cameo, and Honeycrisp – there is an apple to suit just about everyone.
Hank’s pick-your-own fields are open Saturday, Sunday, and school holidays (9/25 & 10/9) only, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Reservations are not required, and there is no entrance fee. Fruit is picked by the peck (approx. 10 lbs.) for $30.
There is also a corn maze and pumpkin picking on site. The farm market features plenty of treats including apple cider, ice cream, cider and pumpkin donuts, kettle corn, and more.
Opens for picking: September 9, 2023
Address: 240 Montauk Hwy, Water Mill, NY 11976
Entrance Fee: No.
Reservations Required: No. The fields will remain open as long as supplies last, so it is a good idea to call first.
Located on the North Fork of Long Island, Harbes Family Farm cultivates more than 27 different types of apples. Varieties available for picking include Suncrisp, Golden Delicious, Zestar, Sansa, and Rubymac.
The orchards (Riverhead and Jamesport) are open daily on Monday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and all holidays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They do not accept reservations.
Note: The Jamesport location only has Honeycrisp available for picking. There are three admission packages to choose from – visitors can select a combination ticket that includes access to the farm’s maze. Only credit cards are accepted.
Opens for picking: September 2, 2023
Address: Two locations - see website for additional information.
Entrance Fee: Yes, varies by location. See the website for additional information.
Reservations Required: No, they do not accept reservations. The fields will remain open as long as supplies last, so it’s a good idea to call first.
Long Island’s first pick-your-own farm, Lewin’s offers a variety of crops to pick throughout the year, including apples. The orchard is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – no reservation or entrance fee is required.
Opens for picking: Typically in late August. Follow their Instagram account for details on when each crop is ready.
Address: 812 Sound Avenue, Calverton, NY 11933
Entrance Fee: No.
Reservations Required: No. The fields will remain open as long as supplies last, so it is a good idea to call first.
With roots dating back to the 1640s, Milk Pail produces over 20 species of apples, including Pink Luster – a hybrid of Honeycrisp and Gala apples.
Located in the Hamptons, Milk Pail is open for picking on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Reservations are not required. Visitors can choose between a 5 lb. bag for $16, which admits one person to the orchard, a 10 lb. bag for $31, which admits up to four people, or a 20 lb. bag for $51, which admits up to six people.
Additional fees apply if using a credit card. The Milk Pail is also known for its fresh-cut flowers, pumpkins, squash, and gourds, as well as its robust farm market.
Opens for picking: September 2, 2023
Address: 50 Horsemill Lane, Water Mill, NY 11976
Entrance Fee: Yes, multiple options – see website for details.
Reservations Required: No. The fields will remain open depending on supplies, so it is a good idea to call first.
Westchester County
With more than 20 different varieties, there is an apple for just about every taste and need at Apple Ridge Orchards. Choose from Honeycrisp, Gala, Daybreak Fuji, and Empire, as well as Autumn Crisp and Red Delicious.
Located just 50 miles outside of New York City, Apple Ridge’s pick-your-own fields are open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and all holidays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations are not required; however, there is a small entrance fee, which includes parking.
Fruit is purchased by the ½ bushel for $34. There is also a petting zoo, hayrides, pony rides, and a corn field – making it perfect for a family outing. The farm market is stocked with apple cider, apple butter, honey, and cider donuts.
Open for picking: September 2, 2023
Address: 101 Jessup Rd., Warwick, NY 10990
Entrance Fee: Yes. $3 per person, includes parking and entrance to the pick-your-own field, petting zoo, play area, and farm stand.
Reservations Required: No. The fields will remain open as long as supplies last, so it is a good idea to call first.
Family-owned and operated, Barton Orchards covers 175 acres in beautiful Poughquag, New York. Their pick-your-own fields feature popular varieties, including Jonamac, Ginger Gold, and Zestar.
They are open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Once you’re done picking, stop at The Tap Room for a glass of hard cider, or take a stroll through the corn maze or petting zoo.
Opens for picking: Follow them on Instagram or Facebook for details on when each crop is ready for picking.
Address: 63 Apple Tree Ln, Poughquag, NY 12570
Entrance Fee: No.
Reservations Required: No. The fields will remain open depending on supplies, so it is a good idea to call first.
Over a century old, Fishkill Farms is located southeast of Poughkeepsie, New York. Specializing in heirloom varieties, Fishkill grows over 100 varieties of apples, including Roxbury Russets – considered America’s oldest apple, as well as Northern Spy and Golden Russet.
They are open Tuesday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and reservations are required. Weekday packages are $28 and include entrance for up to 5 people and 1 half-peck of fruit. Visitors also have the option of purchasing additional apples at $6/quart. The farm market offers fresh dairy, cider, and baked goods.
Opens for picking: Check their website for details on when each crop is ready for picking.
Address: 9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell JCT, NY 12533
Entrance Fee: Yes – see package options on the website for more details.
Reservations Required: Yes, made via their website.
Covering more than 300 acres in Hudson Valley, Greig Farm has been family-owned and operated since 1942. Apple varieties available for picking include Blondee, Macoun, Stayman Winesap, and Empire.
The fields are open daily for picking from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – no entrance fee or reservations are required. See the website for 2023 pricing per pound.
Greig’s farm market is a foodie paradise – stocked with baked goods, locally-sourced cheeses, grass-fed beef, poultry, raw honey, and craft beer.
Opens for picking: Check their website for details on when each crop is ready for picking.
Address: 227 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook, NY 12571
Entrance Fee: No.
Reservations Required: No. The fields will remain open as long as supplies last, so it is a good idea to call first.
A relatively new farm, Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard is about an hour north of New York City. The fields are open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only, and reservations are required.
Visit the website for 2023 pricing information. While you’re at the orchard, be sure to stop in the farm store for fresh baked goods, locally-sourced dairy, grass-fed beef, poultry, raw honey, and craft beer.
Opens for picking: Check their website for details on when each crop is ready for picking.
Address: 227 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook, NY 12571
Entrance Fee: Yes – see the website for pricing information.
Reservations Required: Yes, made via their website.
Northeast New Jersey
From baking to snacking, there is an apple for everyone at Alstede Farms. Lesser-known varieties like Shizuka and Pristine grow alongside favorites like Winesap and Ginger Gold at this Morris County farm.
Alstede Farms is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, and entrance to their pick-your-own fields is ticketed and must be purchased in advance. The price includes a quarter-peck bag that holds approximately 4 pounds of fruit, the cost of the fruit, as well as access to other attractions, including hayrides, corn maze, etc.
The farm also offers a market stocked with grass-fed meats, honey, pies, donuts, ice cream, and cider.
Opens for picking: Check their website for details on when each crop is ready for picking.
Address: 1 Alstede Farms Ln, Chester Township, NJ 07930
Entrance Fee: Yes. Ticket purchase includes the price of the fruit picked and must be purchased in advance.
Reservations Required: Yes, made via their website.
Family-owned and operated since 1908, historic Battleview Orchards is located southeast of New Brunswick in Freehold, New Jersey. Producing a wide variety of apples, including Honeycrisp and Stayman Winesap, Battleview’s fields are open daily for picking, weather permitting.
Guests hungry for a snack should plan a stop at the farm’s country store, where hot apple cider donuts, muffins, fresh pies, and cold cider are available. Battleview Orchards only accepts cash in the picking areas, but credit cards are accepted in the store.
They offer a 10% senior discount for older adults 62 and older in the store and orchard on Mondays and Thursdays.
Opens for picking: See their website for details on when each crop is ready for picking.
Address: 91 Wemrock Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Entrance Fee: No. Guests are required to pay for all the fruit they pick.
Reservations Required: No. The fields will remain open depending on supplies, so it is a good idea to call first.
Located west of Hackettstown, New Jersey, Mackey’s Orchards offers beautiful views of the Delaware Water Gap. The farm grows over 100 species of apples, which can be picked on weekends during September and October.
Entrance to the field is via hayride only and is $3 per person. Prices for the apples are by the bag – a 5 lb. half-peck bag is $10, a 10 lb. peck bag is $20, and a 20 lb. half-bushel is $40.
A farmstand with fresh soups, cider, and apple cider donuts, is also on-site.
Opens for picking: Check their website for details on when each crop is ready for picking.
Address: 284 County Road 519, Belvidere, NJ 07823
Entrance Fee: Yes, there is a $3 per person charge for the hayride, even if you are not picking.
Reservations Required: No. The fields will remain open as long as supplies last, so it is a good idea to call first.
New Jersey’s largest apple orchard, Melick, has two fields to pick from with over 25,000 apple trees. Both orchards are situated to the west of Newark. Apple varieties include Honey Crisp, Winesap, Fuji, and more.
Reservations, as well as an entrance fee, are required. Hard apple cider is available on the weekends, in addition to regular cider and freshly made baked goods.
Opens for picking: Follow them on Facebook or Instagram for details on when each crop is ready for picking.
Address: Multiple locations, visit the website for more information.
Entrance Fee: Yes - see the website for more information and to make a reservation.
Reservations Required: Yes, made via their website.
Located in western New Jersey across the Delaware River from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, this family-owned farm grows a variety of apples, including newcomers Suncrisp and Crimson Crisp.
Pick-your-own is open daily, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but closed on Tuesdays. Only Phillips Farms buckets are allowed for picking. You may bring yours from a previous year or buy new buckets for $2.75 at check-in.
Opens for picking: Check their website for details on when each crop is ready for picking.
Address: 91 Crabapple Hill Rd, Milford, NJ
Entrance Fee: No, however, there is a $5 picking minimum per person.
Reservations Required: No. The fields will remain open depending on supplies, so it is a good idea to call first.
Additional Resources Active Seniors
If you want to read more articles on travel and activity ideas, visit our blog. You’ll find tips on senior-friendly activities in New Jersey, places to view fall foliage in the Northeast, and things to do in the fall in the Finger Lakes region.
This blog was originally published in September 2021. It was updated in August 2023.
