Fall is the time of year when families think of taking trips to sprawling farms filled with apples, so heavy that they bend the branches to which they grasp, as well as the taste of freshly made apple cider. There is hardly a person that does not imagine the toothy grin of a recently carved pumpkin, once the change in the air has begun.
The crisp smell of hay from a child's hayride might also come to mind. That is the beauty of living in the Hudson Valley area. One can get the full experience of such a unique season that others are unfortunate not to be able to see. At the following locations, children and adults alike can witness (and take part in) the fun that accurately describes a "Hudson Valley Autumn." Enjoy!
And remember, Mother Nature is unpredictable so always call ahead to be sure of what varieties of produce are available.
Dutchess County orchards
Adams Fairacre Farms, Celebrate fall at the Adams Annual Harvest Fest. There’s lots of free fun for the kids—pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting and more! Enjoy everything made in Adam’s Kitchen and Bakery with fresh ingredients. 765 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie. 845-454-4331.
Barton Orchards, This fall getaway for children has a playground, a corn maze, a haunted house and hay rides on Saturdays and Sundays. Pick your own apples from mid-August to November and pumpkins from late-September to mid-October. Open 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday. Open 9am-6pm Friday-Sunday. July through November. 63 Apple Tree Ln., Poughquag. 845-227-2306.
Dykeman Farm, 31 Dykeman Ln., Pawling. Pumpkin picking stating in mid-September-October. Open 10am-5pm. Free Admission. 845-832-6068.
Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farms Rd., Hopewell Junction. Open daily, 9am-6pm, year-round. Various fruits and vegetables. Pick your own apples and pumpkins from September to October. 845-897-4377.
Greig Farm, Greig’s features red and yellow raspberries in addition to apple and pumpkin picking from September to October. This farm also has an indoor market with a cafe. Kids can feed the goats behind Gigi’s market and see the Koi fish behind Grandiflora Nursery. If it’s light enough to pick they’re happy to have you. Open daylight hours, 7 days a week. 223 Pitcher Ln., Red Hook. Open May to Oct. Shell and sugar snap peas, blueberries, apples raspberries, and pumpkins. 845-758-1234.
Mead Orchards, This orchard is a great picnic spot with views of the Catskill Mountains. Along with apple picking and pumpkin picking late August through October. Pick-Your-Own Peaches, apples, pumpkins. Farm Stand Peaches, apples, pears, sweet corn, other veggies. Mead has a farm stand where you can pick up a few other fall staples. Open weekends; 10am-6pm. 15 Scism Rd., Tivoli. 845-756-5641.
Meadowbrook Farm, 29 Old Myers Corners Rd., Wappingers Falls, Apples and pumpkins starting Labor Day weekend. 845-297-3002.
Related: 50+ Must do Activities this Fall
Orange County orchards
Apple Ridge Orchards, Whether your family loves apple picking or pumpkin picking, Apple Ridge Orchards has a wonderful selection for you to choose from. Pick your own apples opens September 2 through November and pumpkins opens September 16 to November, Friday through Sunday. 9am-6pm. Now taking online reservations for group visits. 101 Jessup Rd., Warwick. 845-987-7717.
Apple Dave's Orchard (Formally known as Applewood), 82 Four Corners Rd., Warwick. Open daily. 9am-5pm. Apples in Sept. to Oct., pumpkins, wagon rides and puppet shows. Relax by the pond or take a stroll through the herb and rose gardens or country store. 845-986-1684.
Bellvale Farms, The finest homemade ice cream, ice cream waffle cones, ice cream cake, and ice cream pies available in the lower Hudson Valley Region! Enjoy a tour of the dairy farm. 1390 Rte. 17A, Warwick, NY 10990. 845-988-1818.
Lawrence Farms Orchards, Pick you own apples and berries September to October. Enjoy “show chickens”, Little Village and hay bale maze. 39 Colandre Rd, Newburgh. 845-562-4268
Manza Family Farm, During the farm’s traditional fall festival, your family can experience tractor drawn hayrides, horse drawn wagon rides, a straw maze, farm animals and a farm stand. Pick your own pumpkins are grown on 20 acres of farm land and are available every day in October. 8am-5pm. Hayrides are on weekends. 730 Rte. 211, Montgomery. 845-692-4364.
Masker Fruit Farms Inc., Best known for apple picking, the farm will be opening up Labor Day weekend along with pumpkin picking. Stop by the country store, visit the baby barnyard animals or kick your farm experience up a notch by taking a pony ride. There are discounts available on the website. Open weekends 9am-5pm. September to November. 3. 45 Ball Rd., Warwick. 845-986-1058.
Ochs Orchards, In addition to apple and pumpkin picking, Ochs has a petting zoo and a working beehive. Apple picking starts up Labor Day weekend. Depending up on availability, pumpkins should be available for picking through October. 9am-6pm. 4 Ochs Ln., Warwick.845-986-1591.
Overlook Farm Market, 5417 Rte. 9W, Newburgh. Open 8am-6pm, closed Tuesdays. Apples and pumpkins starting in first week of Sept. Enjoy the petting zoo and bakery using the freshest ingredients available. 845-562-5780.
Pennings Orchard, 169 State Rte. 94S, Warwick. Apples and pumpkins in the fall starting Labor Day weekend. Stop by the farmer's market, visit the beer garden and pumpkin fields, enjoy the hayrides, farm animals, a kiddie maze and more. 845-986-7080.
Pierson Farm and Greenhouse, 1448 Rte. 211 West, Middletown. Weekends 10am-6pm, Daily 10am-6pm. Pumpkin picking and corn mazes starting the last weekend of September to October. 845-386-1882.
Slate Hill Orchards, 2580 Rte. 6, Slate Hill. Pick your own apples and grapes. Pick your own pumpkins starting in late September to October. 845-355-4493.
Sleepy Hills Orchard and Greenhouses, Pick you own apples weekends 10am-4pm, September through October. 1328 Rte 284, Johnson. 845-726-3797.
Soons Orchards & Farm Market, Your family has ample picking time at Soons as they run wagons continuously into pumpkin fields all day. The whole trip is about 30 to 45 minutes. If you have hungry mouths to feed after a day of picking pumpkins, stop by Soons store or Scotty’s Country Kitchen for fresh pressed apple cider, homemade fudge and other delicious treats. Apple picking is weekend 10am-4pm, Store open daily 9am-6pm. Apples ripen in early September, Pumpkins by mid-September. 23 Soons Cir., New Hampton. 845-374-5471.
Warwick Valley Winery & Orchards, 114 Little York Rd., Warwick. Open Saturdays and Sundays in the fall. Apple picking starts Labor Day weekend and goes through October 29. Open daily 11am-5pm. Enjoy wine tasting, the Pane Bakery Café and live music on weekends. 845-258-4858.
Wright Family Farm, 329 Kings Highway, Warwick. Open May- Dec. Seasonal fruits & vegetables. Corn mazes open September 3rd. Pumpkin picking starts September 16. Enjoy the cow train, pony rides, hayrides, farm animals, steer roping and more. Stop by the Farm Stand for a slice of pumpkin pie. 845-986-1345.
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Ulster County orchards
Apple Bin, Rte. 9W (810 Broadway), Ulster Park. Pick your own apples starting early October. Open daily. Closed Jan. 845-339-7229.
Apple Hill Farm, Pick your own apples through October and pumpkins through October 29. Open 10am-5pm. Hayrides begin Sept. 23, only on the weekends. Enjoy a hayride, come and get fresh pressed apple cider and take home some of our famous mulled apple cider donuts. Tables are available for a picnic or, if you prefer, bring a blanket to relax and enjoy the views. 124 Rte. 32 S., New Paltz. 845-255-1605.
Dressel Farms, Pick your own apples every weekend in September and October. Pick your own pumpkins every weekend in October, Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm. They are also open Columbus Day. Enjoy their fresh fruit sundaes, along with cider, pies, apple cider doughnuts and honey. 271 Rte. 208, New Paltz. 845-255-0693.
DuBois Farms, DuBois hosts a series of special events every weekend in September and October with a delicious lunch. Pick-your-own pumpkins and apples open daily. Corn maze, wagon rides, petting zoo, tiny town, bakery and pony rides are among the attractions. 209 Perkinsville Rd., Highland. 845-795-4037.
Hurds Family Farm, Families can enjoy apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, a jumping pillow, the cow train and a cornfield mazes. Feed farm pets at the Critter Corner and play at the Kid’s Corral. Hurd’s 18th Century Dutch Threshing Barn is a great spot for country gifts and refreshments. The pumpkin patch is open Labor Day through October 31. Apple picking is from August to Early November. 2187 Rte. 32, Modena. 845-883-7825.
Jenkins- Lueken Orchards, Route 299, West New Paltz. From January- May, open Monday to Friday 9am-6pm; 9am-7pm Saturday and Sunday. Closed Wednesdays. Apples, berries, pumpkins, and corn maze. Apple picking begins September 9. Pumpkin picking begins in September through October. 845-255-0999.
Kelder’s Farm Market, 5575 Rte. 209, Kerhonkson. Open 10am-6pm daily, April to Dec. Seasonal fruits, corn maze, hayrides, petting farm, milk a cow, playground and jumping pillow. Apple picking is September to October and Pumpkin picking is in October. 845-626-7137.
Locust Grove Fruit Farm. 199 North Rd., Milton. Offering U-pick apples, pumpkins, flowers and a variety of seasonal produce, baked goods, cider, home-made cider donuts, refreshments and wagon rides. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-5pm, Columbus Day through November 6.
Minard's Family Farm, 250 Hurds Rd., Clintondale. Pick your own apples and pumpkins on over 100 acres while embracing the largest corn maze in the Hudson Valley, breathing fresh air and enjoying scenic mountain views. Barnyard football and baseball, Tire Mountain, tug of war, apple checkers and 40’x70’ Bounce Pillow. Apple picking is from Sept. to late Oct. Pumpkin picking is in October. 866-632-7753.
Prospect Hill Orchards, 340 Milton Turnpike, Milton. Open weekends, 9am-4pm. June to Oct. Various fruits. Organic. Apple, pears and pumpkin picking is weekends, Sept. 16 - Oct 22. 845-795-2383.
Saunderskill Farms, 5100 Rte. 209, Accord. 9am-6pm. Tuesday to Sunday from April to Dec. Various fruits. Apple picking starts September 6. Weekends in October are for pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and hay rides. 845-626-2676.
Silver Heights Farm: Famous “ugly apples” ready for picking. Farm Stand and pick your own open Wednesday and Thursday 11am-6pm; Friday thru Sunday and Holiday Mondays 11am-7pm. Also dog friendly! Wood fire pizza and burgers are served Friday thru Sunday and Holiday Mondays at the Pavilion. 155 N. Ohioville Rd., New Paltz. 845-633-8657.
Stone Ridge Orchard, 3012 Route 213, Stone Ridge. Organic. Apple picking begins Labor Day weekend. 845-687-2587.
Tantillo’s Farm Market, 730 Rte. 208, Gardiner. Open 9am-6pm daily from March to Dec. Playground for the kids and tractor-pulled wagon rides to and from the orchard. Fruits and vegetables. Apple picking begins Labor Day weekend. Pumpkin picking occurs in October. 845-256-9109.
Weed Orchards, Open every day for apple and pumpkin picking 9am-5pm. The orchard features a petting zoo and huge corn maze. 43 Mt. Zion Rd., Marlboro. Open Sept. to Oct. Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm. Saturday & Sunday, 9am-5pm. 845-236-2684.
Westwind Orchard, 215 Lower Whitfield Rd., Accord. Organic. Apple picking is September to late October. Friday 12pm-6pm. Open Saturday, 11am-3pm. Sun, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 845-626-0659.
Wilklow Orchards, Enjoy over 5 acres of pumpkins, fresh cider and autumn mums. Also a hay jump, hayrides, petting zoo and hot cider. Open daily Labor Day through October, 9am-5pm. 341 Pancake Hollow Rd., Highland. 845-691-2339.
Wrights Farm, 699 State Rt. 208, Gardiner. Over 453 acres that produces 100,000 bushels of apples each year. In addition to apples they have cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines, berries, tomatoes, pumpkins and more. The store also carries a large selection of baked goods including their famous cider donuts. Open daily from 8am-4:30pm. Apples picking begins 9/8 through 10/31. 845-255-5300.
Sullivan County Orchard
Cunningham Family Farms, 233 Hurd and Parks Rd., Swan Lake. Corn maze, hay rides, play area, obstacle courses, and pick your own pumpkins. Weekends May 31- Nov. 4. 845-583-4083
Upper Room Farms, 186 Airport Rd., Mongaup Valley. Open weekends from 10am-5pm. Pony rides, petting zoo and hay rides. Pumpkin picking begins in Oct. 845-583-4342.
Does your family have a favorite orchard that you don't see here? Let us know in the comments!
Updated September 11, 2018
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