10 Great Places to Pick Apples, Pumpkins and Grapes (!) in Our Area

The cooler weather is the perfect time to pack up the kids and head to one of the many orchards around our area. Make sure you call ahead to confirm hours, availability and attractions. Leave your pets at home; they aren't allowed at most farms. If you're thinking of packing a picnic, call ahead to make sure the farm allows you to bring your own food. Apple picking season started around Labor Day and lasts through October. However, if you go too late, there often aren't many apples left on the trees. The pumpkin picking season starts about October 1. As the best pumpkins go fast, don't wait until the day before Halloween to get yours or you risk disappointment. When you arrive home with your apples, make sure to keep them in a cool spot (basement, root cellar, crisper, etc.) to get the longest life possible out of them.

Westchester County

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard – North Salem, 914-485-1210
130 Hardscrabble Road; www.outhouseorchardsny.com
Formerly Outhouse Orchards, this family-run farm allows visitors to pick their own apples daily throughout the season. Easy drive up I-684 and good choice for young children. Afterward, stop off at Muscoot Farm (free admission) to visit a working farm (muscootfarm.org) or walk around charming Katonah.

Stuart's Farm – Granite Springs, 914-245-2784
62 Granite Springs Road; http://www.stuartsfarm.com/
The Stuart family farm, the oldest in Westchester, offers nine types of apples. Also, pick your own pumpkins from the vine through November.

Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm – Yorktown Heights, 914-245-5111
1335 White Hill Road; www.wilkensfarm.com/
Apple picking began the first week of September and there are dozens of varieties. Wilkens offers pumpkin picking beginning October 15 and cut-your-own Christmas trees starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Dutchess County

Fishkill Farms – Hopewell Junction, 845 897-4377****top pick****
9 Fishkill Farm Road; http://fishkillfarms.com
The farm's store stocks pies, donuts, pasture-raised eggs, locally produced ice cream, maple syrup and more. Apple varieties grown on the farm include Cortland, Spartan, Empire, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Mutsu, Jonagold, Idared, and Stayman Winesap.

Mead Orchards – Tivoli, 845-756-5641
15 Scism Road, off Rte. 9; www.meadorchards.com
Mead Orchards is a 185-acre fruit orchard and vegetable farm. Its orchards produce Fortune, Northern Spy, Senshu, Suncrisp, Cameo, Crimson Crisp and Ruby Frost, among others.

Orange County

Pennings Orchard – Warwick, 845-986-5959
Route 94 & Warwick Turnpike; http://penningsfarmmarket.com
Offers 15 different varieties. Probably the biggest and one of the best orchards around. The trees tend to be low to the ground, so you don't need a pole to pick them. Good for small children.

Apple Ridge Orchards – Warwick, 845-987-7717
101 Jessup Road; www.appleridgeorchards.com
Located in the picturesque Warwick Valley, the views are worth the whole trip, not to mention being able to pick pumpkins right off the vine. This is a great place for kids as they have dwarf apple trees. An added attraction is the glass honey bee observation hive where kids can watch honey bees at work and learn about pollination.

Slate Hill Orchards – Slate Hill, 845-355-4403
2580 US Route 6; www.slatehillorchards.com
Starting every Saturday and Sunday the third weekend in September, Slate Hill gives its guests the opportunity to not only explore the farm, but to also pick apples (15 varieties), pumpkins and, a treat we don't usually see in our area as pick-your-own, grapes.

Rockland

Dr. Davies Farm – Congers
306 Route 304; 845-268-7020
This historic 35-acre orchard is home to 4,000 trees and is open for picking daily. One of the oldest continually working farms in the area.

Nearby New Jersey

Riamede Farm -- Chester, 908-879-5353
122 Oakdale Road. www.riamede.com
Bring your own scissors and snip a pumpkin right off the vine starting September 28! The farm offers a complimentary hayride to the picking field on weekends and Columbus Day. You can also pick your own apples in several varieties including heirlooms.