What started out as a few acres of land and a sawmill has quickly turned into one of the Hudson Valley’s favorite spots for apple picking each fall and fun all year long. For more than 20 years Phil and Susan Hurd have welcomed families to Hurd's Family Farm for a taste of what makes the Hudson Valley special. Today they not only offer a bounty of veggies, fruits and flowers for picking but are on top of the ‘agritainment’ trend of turning their family farm into tourist attractions that draw in crowds of families each weekend. Started in 1994, the Hurd’s decided to open the historic Dutch Barn for weekend festivals as they say on their website “just to see if people would come” and they do!
Visiting the farm which is located just outside of New Paltz in Ulster County has become a tradition for us. We visit each fall for apple picking and if you ask my children they visit for the corn maze, apple launcher and cow train rides! The Hudson Valley in one of the best places on earth for fresh produce! Explore more favorite farms for tasty fruits and veggies in our farm market roundup!
Each season is special at Hurd's. The fall is filled with apples, pumpkins, corn and petting farm animals. During November and December, families enter a winter wonderland where they get to welcome Santa from the sky as he skydives into the farm (traditionally the Friday after Thanksgiving). They can also take a hayride to the Christmas Tree Patch, sip hot cocoa and toast s’mores around a bonfire and go on an elf hunt! Finally, each summer, Hurd’s farm kicks off their season with special summer rates, delicious plants for picking and endless hours of summer fun activities for the kids.
Hurd's Family Farm is kicking off their summer season this Thursday with a family-fun day. VIP wristbands this summer are only $7 a person and include admission to more than 20 activities.
Old fashioned family fun begins at 9am with mommy and me bounce pillow time and continues through 5pm. Activities include bounce pillow, cow train rides, pedal karts, rubber duck derby, giant slides, kid’s corral, nature trails and more. For a small additional fee, children can mine for fossils and pick-your-own flowers, summer veggies and fruits (as available).
Get more information on events all year long at Hurd's Family Farm on our calendar page.
Share your fun by posting and tagging us on social media! Use hashtag #HVPsummer and tag @hudsonvalleyparent on Facebook or {@HVParent} on Twitter or Instagram and we may share your photos with our followers too!
Pamela is the Community Liaison at Hudson Valley Parent. She resides in Dutchess County with her husband and two boys and enjoys crossing things off their bucket list each summer.
