Flower Picking near NYC: Holland Ridge Tulips, Lavender By the Bay, and More Beautiful Blooms

The stunning tulip blossoms spread out row-by-row in every direction at Holland Ridge Farms.
The stunning tulip blossoms spread out row-by-row in every direction at Holland Ridge Farms.
4/26/22 - By Kristen Markel

It’s flower season in the tri-state area, when pick-your-own farms are no longer limited to berries, peaches, apples, and pumpkins. Many now allow visitors to stroll flower fields full of beautiful blooms for photo-ops and to pick everything from tulips in the spring to sunflowers in the fall. So mix up your usual routine with a blossom-filled adventure to one of these you-pick flower farms near NYC.

Some of these flower farms offer so many activities that flower picking becomes a full-day affair. The farms are packed with family-friendly fun, from pony rides and playgrounds to mini golf and food trucks. Grab your kids and some clippers and spend the day at one of these local flower farms; stunning family photos and beautiful blooms await. Find more family-friendly farm fun in our Guide to Farms and U-Pick.

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Fields of lavender at Lavender By The Bay
Follow the trails for a relaxing walk through Lavender By the Bay's beautiful lavender fields. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

Pick Your Own Flower Farms on Long Island

1. Lavender By The Bay – East Marion and Calverton

Bloom season: June through late September
This fragrant farm draws tourists far and wide in search of brilliant photo-ops and plenty of blooms. Peak viewing season is mid-to-late July when fields of French lavender burst open. Visitors 6 and older must book tickets for $12 in advance to visit the fields for photo-ops, lavender viewing, and to breathe in its most infectious fragrance. Bouquets are available for purchase and cost an extra $13.

2. Patty’s Berries & Bunches – Mattituck

Bloom season: June through August
Owner Patty DiVello, a member of the Harbes family, owns and operates this parcel of land, which she rechristened as Patty's Berries & Bunches. Flower picking isn’t open to the public but is included in a tour. The 1.5-hour experience provides an insider’s look at the operation, a scoop of ice cream, and a parting gift. The cost is $29 per person and needs to be booked in advance. It’s an excellent option for groups and families. If you are just looking for an Instagram-worthy picture, you can wander the fields for $7.50 per person. The farm stand also sells beautifully arranged bouquets of its freshly picked flowers.

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Girl watering tulips at Waterdrinker Farm pick-your-own flower farm.
Flowers and photo-ops are endless at Waterdrinker Farm's two pick-your-own flower seasons.

3. Waterdrinker Family Farm – Manorville

Bloom season: Tulips bloom in April through May; sunflowers bloom in July
Specializing in tulips and sunflowers, Waterdrinker Family Farm planted more than 500,000 tulip bulbs, and the results are stunning in the springtime. Aside from enjoying the beautiful booms, included in the $20 weekend admission ($15 weekdays) are pedal cars, an obstacle course, mini golf, and face time with its animals. Kids 2 and under are FREE. Stems can be clipped and purchased for $2 each.

4. Schmitt's Farm Stand – Riverhead

Bloom season: Early summer
You can’t pick flowers at Schmitt's Farm Stand, but you can stroll the Instagram-worthy flower fields and then take some pre-cut selections home. While you are there, pick up some of its Holy Schmitt’s famous horseradish made from farm-fresh ingredients.

RELATED: Lavender By the Bay Immerses Visitors in Acres of Fragrant Blooms

Pails of fresh flowers with fields of fresh flowers in the background
Pick your blooms in the peaceful early morning at Brittany Hollow Farms.

You Pick Flower Farms in the Hudson Valley

5. Brittany Hollow Farm – Rhinebeck

Bloom season: Late June through early October, depending on the weather
Brittany Hollow has been operating for more than 35 years but only recently allowed pick-your-own flowers after successfully growing blooms for their son’s 2018 wedding. Walk the fields and fill a 1-gallon bucket for just $20. The farm is cash- or check-only. If you have a larger group, you can rent a field. Hold onto your pail, too: You can refill it for just $15 on a return visit.

6. Holmquest Farms – Claverack

Bloom season: Late June through late September
Holmquest Farms recently celebrated 70 years in business, and it is quite the operation with more than 500 acres of land and 30,000 square feet of greenhouses. Near the bustling farm is a field just for flower picking. There is no admission fee, and guests can cut 13 stems for $6.

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Purple-hued flowers in a pick your own field at The Cutting Garden
The Cutting Garden invites visitors into its fields to pick, sketch, and photograph its beautiful blooms.

7. The Cutting Garden – Youngsville

Bloom season: Late June through early October
Flowers grown on-site at The Cutting Garden are organic and pesticide-free. Walk the fields as you chose from more than 100 different varieties. Have an artist in the family? Pack a sketch pad and allow them to take inspiration from the surroundings for their next masterpiece. The farm packs your newly picked blooms for travel to ensure they make it home safely. Hours vary by season, so visit its website for the latest times.

8. Kelder's Farm – Kerhonkson

Bloom season: Mid-August through October
This 200-year-old farm hosts animals, mini golf, a massive, kid-pleasing jumping pillow, and a famous, record-setting giant garden gnome in addition to its pick-your-own flower fields. Kelder’s is open six days a week (closed Wednesday). Advance tickets are strongly encouraged to ensure entry. Kids 2 and younger are FREE. Adults and those over age 3 need to pay a $14.99 fee, which includes entrance to the field, activities, and one container to fill.

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Sunflower Valley Farm allows visitors to pick sunflowers fresh from its fields
Pick three stems per person at Sunflower Valley Farm.

9. Sunflower Valley Farm – New Hampton

Bloom season: July through September
Specializing in sunflowers, this New Hampton farm has acres of blooms spanning as far as the eye can see. Weekend admission is $12 for adults and kids ages 12 and up; $5 for kids 5-12; those under age 5 enter for FREE. Admission grants visitors three sunflower stems per person, but the farm advises that you pack cutters, water, and paper towels to saturate the stems for the ride home. Make a day of it by bringing a picnic lunch, and enjoy face painting and the petting zoo, both of which are included with admission.

10. Germantown Farms – Germantown

Bloom season: June through September
Stroll the fields and pick wildflowers knowing you are helping the community. One hundred percent of this farm’s proceeds go to local nonprofits. The cost is $10 for a bucket of wildflowers. Be sure to check out the butterfly garden when you are there.

You Pick Flower Farms in New Jersey

11. Holland Ridge Farms – Cream Ridge

Bloom season: Tulips April through May; sunflowers start in September
Holland Ridge is known for its flowers. The farm ships millions of buds to supermarkets along the East Coast. It also allows visitors to pick tulips and sunflowers in season. Tickets are $13 and give access to the farm, tractor rides, and animal barns. Stems can be purchased for $1 each. Make it a day and get lunch at one of the many food trucks that visit daily.

12. Alstede Farms – Chester

Bloom season: July through Mid-September
This farm has something for everyone. After you pick sunflowers, zinnias, and more, let kids run around the maze on the property, feed the animals, grab some lunch, and then finish the day with a wine tasting from Tomasello Winery. Advance, timed-entry tickets are required and cost $12.

RELATED: Pick-Your-Own Adventures Await on the Many Gorgeous Flower Farms of New Jersey

Rows of flowers at Terhune Orchards
Pick from rows and rows of gorgeous flowers at Terhune Orchards.

13. Terhune Orchards – Princeton

Bloom season: Late June through October
Don’t let the name fool you. Terhune Orchards offers so much more than apples. It also has a large field of flowers. Open from 9am-6pm daily, starting in late June; pick-your-own hours may vary depending on availability.

14. Melick's Town Farm – Oldwick

Bloom season: July-September
Well known for being New Jersey’s largest orchard, Melick’s Town Farm also offers flower picking. The farm offers a wide variety, including sunflowers for $1.50/stem, and other flowers go for about 75 cents. Open seven days a week. No reservations are required, but you must bring clippers.

15. Silverton Farms – Toms River

Bloom season: July-September
This family-owned and operated organic farm has been around for more than 20 years. It offers tons of freshly picked produce and pick-your-own flowers in the summer months, such as cosmos and dahlias. It’s $6 per bouquet for all flowers, except sunflowers, which are $1 per stem.

Unless noted, photos courtesy of the farms

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