Apple picking is the perfect rural escape for some seasonal socially distanced fun. Musement shares five of the best farms for apple picking near New York City.
While a Broadway musical or a night at the Metropolitan Opera might not be in the cards this year, New York still offers plenty of options for some socially distanced fun. With the arrival of autumn, one of the most delightful ways to get into the season is apple picking.
Sure, apple picking might not be the same as previous years due to fewer crowds and reserved time slots, but it’s still one of the most convivial ways to welcome autumn. At most farms, the hayrides, corn mazes, and lively festivities that encourage gathering are canceled, but the orchard and on-site markets remain open. Here are five farms near New York City where you can go apple picking this fall…with or without kids. Given the current COVID-19 situation, we suggest researching their reservation policy first.
1. Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm, Yorktown Heights
It’s pretty much impossible to brush off the idea of visiting Wilkins Fruit and Fir Farm as it’s just an hour north of New York City and easily reachable by Metro-North. Though they don’t just specialize in the apples: pumpkins are also ripe for the picking. Plus, as implied by their name, you can visit their cut-your-own-Christmas-tree farm come the holidays. The market offers an abundance of apple pastries from doughnuts to pies to strudels to pretty much just about everything apple under the sun. While there, sip wine from White Hill Vineyard, the farm’s winery. website
2. Greig Farm, Red Hook
Located in Dutchess County (not Brooklyn!), Greig Farm is just over two hours from New York City. Plus, apple picking from the dozen varieties harvested on site isn’t the farm’s only allure. In addition, the farm has an art gallery, a smokehouse, and hiking trails that offer exquisite views of the Catskills. If you visit from late September, you just might be able to pick a pumpkin or two. website
3. Fishkill Farms, Hopewell Junction
An hour and a half from New York, Fishkill Farms is perhaps best known for its commitment to eco-friendliness. The Morgenthau family has overseen the 270-acre orchard for more than 100 years, and apples aren’t the only organic fruits they offer. Finish the day by booking a table (and possibly a tasting) in the Cider Garden, and don’t forget to drop into the farm shop to stock up on some goodies. website
4. Love Apple Farm, Ghent
What’s not to love about an apple farm named Love that boasts gorgeous views of the Catskill Mountains? Located just over a two-hour drive from New York, Love has more than 15,000 trees so visitors can pick to their hearts’ delight. Also on site is a small petting zoo as well as a market selling products from around two dozen local farmers. Don’t leave without trying an apple cider doughnut! website
5. Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard, North Salem
Just over an hour north of New York City, Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard is known for a lively fall festival that takes place each weekend in September and October. Though the festival and everything that goes with it (face painting, hayrides, corn mazes, etc.) have been canceled, the apple picking farm and its shop, which offers plenty of satiating goodies, remain open. Apple picking, offered on the weekend only, is by reservation only. website