Apple Picking Near NYC: Pick-Your-Own-Apple Farms An Hour or Less From New York City

What's the sweet upside of summer coming to a close? The fact that apple picking season is about to begin. Starting around Labor Day weekend and continuing through late October, orchards throughout the tri-state area offer families the chance to pick their own apples, and many also host cool kids' attractions, like hay rides, petting zoos, bouncy houses, mazes and home-baked treats such as doughnuts, homemade pies and fresh-pressed cider.

Although there was a time when apple trees thrived in NYC (ever wonder how Orchard Street got its name?), today city families need to head out of town to pick their own. While there are lots of wonderful apple orchards in upstate New York, on Long Island, in New Jersey and Connecticut, many of them are quite a long drive from the city. And we know that nothing derails a fun family outing like a long commute.

That's why we've rounded up 11 places to pick your own apples that are about an hour from midtown Manhattan by car. We've even found a few that are accessible by train. Before you go, make sure you call ahead for hours, attractions and availability since those constantly change.

Westchester County, New York

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard – North Salem
130 Hardscrabble Road
914-485-1210
Approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes by car from midtown Manhattan
Formerly known as Outhouse Orchards, this family-run farm allows visitors to pick their own apples daily throughout the season, which has already started (yup, the apples came early this year). However, on weekends through the end of October, the farm offers lots of additional attractions for kids, including hay rides, farm animals, bouncy castles and live music. Harvest Moon also features a large farm stand where you can buy homemade doughnuts and cider, and fresh eggs and produce.

Stuart's Farm – Granite Springs
62 Granite Springs Road
914-245-2784
Approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes by car from midtown Manhattan
The Stuart family offers a no-frills experience with nine types of apples ripe for the picking at their farm, which happens to be the oldest in Westchester.

Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm – Yorktown Heights
1335 White Hill Road
914-245-5111
Approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes by car from midtown Manhattan. Also accessible via Metro-North.
An apple picking trip here includes a fun hay ride out to the orchard. The farm offers picking poles so you can get fruit off of high branches. Apple picking begins September 1 and there are dozens of varieties, so check the farm's schedule to see when your favorites will be ripe. And if you're already planning your holiday season take note: Wilkens offers pumpkin picking beginning October 1 and cut-your-own Christmas trees starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving. No car? No problem! You can take Metro-North to the Croton-Harmon station, and then a $15 taxi ride to the farm.
 

Rockland County, New York

The Orchards of Concklin – Pomona
2 South Mountain Road
845-354-0369
Approximately 55 minutes by car from midtown Manhattan
On weekends from September 8 through Columbus Day, head to this spot for apple picking, a bouncy haunted house, inflatable slide and a ½-acre corn maze. Before you leave, grab a snack from the on-site bakery: We hear Concklin's cider doughnuts are spectacular.

Dr. Davies Farm – Congers
306 Route 304
845-268-7020
Approximately 55 minutes by car from midtown Manhattan
This historic 35-acre orchard is home to 4,000 trees and is open for picking daily. (Be prepared to battle school groups during the week.) On weekends, families can also enjoy tractor-drawn hay rides. Bring cash as credit cards aren't accepted.

Read about other places to pick your own apples in upstate New York.

Long Island

Fort Salonga Farm – Northport
30 Meadow Glen Road
631-269-9666
Approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes by car from midtown Manhattan
Although there are several places where you can pick your own apples on Long Island, the majority of them are in eastern Suffolk County. But this tiny farm, located in the western part of the county, is much closer to NYC. Fort Salonga has a variety of dwarf apple trees, which means even your littlest pickers will be able to pluck fruit off low-hanging branches. The farm also offers pick-your-own raspberries in season. Although you won't find any additional kids' activities here, Sunken Meadow State Park is only a few miles away and offers playgrounds, hiking trails and more. Since Fort Salonga is a small, family-run farm, it's important to call before heading out as it's not open every weekend. Better yet, check the website for the most up-to-date information.

Read about other places to pick your own apples on Long Island.

Morris, Bergen and Somerset Counties, New Jersey

Alstede Farms – Chester
84 County Route 513
908-879-7189
Approximately 1 hour by car from midtown Manhattan. Also accessible via New Jersey Transit.
In addition to apple picking, this farm's attractions include a corn maze, pony rides, hay rides and a bouncy house. Even better: You don't need to rent a car to get here. Take New Jersey Transit to the Gladstone station where Chester Limousine offers shuttle service to the farm. There are various admission packages.

Sun High Orchards – Randolph
19 Canfield Avenue
973-584-4734
Approximately 1 hour by car from midtown Manhattan
Kids can get up close and personal with donkeys and alpacas, and take a leisurely hay ride to the apple trees. Cap off the day with a trip to the farm stand for homemade ice cream.

Demarest Farms – Hillsdale
244 Wierimus Road
201-666-0472
Approximately 40 minutes by car from midtown Manhattan
Demarest has the distinction of being the closest apple picking place for NYC families. Just across the Hudson River, this popular farm offers apple picking every day, and special entertainment on weekends.

Riamede Farm – Chester
122 Oakdale Road
908-879-5353
Approximately 1 hour by car from midtown Manhattan
Starting August 30, choose from more than 30 varieties of apples including heirlooms on this farm. Don’t expect any bouncy castles or petting zoos. Riamede is all about apples, and only has a complimentary hay ride on weekends.

Ripple Hill Farm – Basking Ridge
181 Mountain Road
908-647-1300
Approximately 50 minutes by car from midtown Manhattan
Despite the name, there are no hills at this farm, which makes it a great place to pick, especially if you're pushing a stroller. It's only open on Sundays noon to 4pm and offers at least a dozen varieties kinds of apple.

Read about other places to pick your own apples in New Jersey.

Things to Know Before You Go

We realize we already said this in our intro but it bears repeating: Make sure you call ahead to confirm hours, apple availability and attractions. Many orchards are small, family-run establishments that close unexpectedly. A Mommy Poppins staffer once made a trip to a farm only to find the entire place shut down for a family funeral!

Keep in mind that the approximate driving times listed do not include traffic. And sadly, you're probably going to run into some.

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 starts around Labor Day and lasts through October. However, If you go too late, there often aren't many apples left on the trees. So don't wait until Halloween to go.

You picked the apples, now what? We've got some tasty and easy apple recipes for you to try.

For other fun farm outings, check out our Farm Guide.