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Best Times To Go Apple Picking near NYC

Apple picking in the Northeast typically kicks off in early September, but several farms, especially in New Jersey, have certain varieties ready for picking by mid-August. The apple-picking season lingers into early October, depending on the apple orchard. However, the popular farms closest to NYC may be picked clean before then.

Where To Go Apple Picking in New York State

1. Orchards of Concklin – Pomona

About 1 hour by car from Midtown Manhattan.
The Orchards of Concklin has been a prominent fixture in Rockland County for more than 10 generations. Apple picking is open to visitors on weekends. Apple picking season begins Saturday, September 7, 2024, and the first varieties to ripen will be Macintosh, Honeycrisp, and autumn crisp. Each person over the age of 3 entering the orchard must purchase a 1/2-peck bag to fill.

2. Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard – North Salem

About 1 hour by car from Midtown Manhattan. Also accessible via Metro-North.
Formerly part of Outhouse Orchards, this family-run farm allows visitors to pick their own apples beginning around Labor Day. The farm hosts a fall festival on weekends in September and October where families can enjoy a pumpkin patch, pony rides, face painting, bouncy houses, and other carnival-like fun in addition to picking armloads of apples. Be sure to grab some homemade doughnuts and apple cider from the store before you leave. This farm is a cab ride away from the Metro-North Croton Falls station.

3. Stuart's Fruit Farm – Granite Springs

About 1 hour by car from Midtown Manhattan.
Stuart's Fruit Farm is a family-operated farm since 1828 located in Westchester County, New York. It got its start as a cattle farm but has evolved into an agricultural farm, with a variety of pick-your-own experiences. Beginning the weekend after Labor Day, this century-old, family-owned farm offers more than 20 types of apples ripe for the picking every day. Scenic hayrides are also offered on weekends. This is a cash or check-only spot. There's no fee to enter the orchard (besides what you pick) and parking is FREE.

RELATED: Alpaca Farms to Visit in the Hudson Valley

Grab an apple picker for those hard-to-reach apples at Dr. Davies Farm. Photo by Matt Nighswander

4. Dr. Davies Farm – Congers

About 50 minutes by car from Midtown Manhattan
This historic 65-acre orchard is home to 5,000 trees and 27 different apple varieties. The farm opens for daily apple picking on Saturday, August 31, 2024. Picking poles are available to rent for apples higher up and the farm does its best to accommodate guests with disabilities (call ahead for more information). Friendly leashed dogs are welcome! This location only accepts cash or checks, and there is an ATM on-site. Parking is FREE and admission fees include a half-peck bag per person.

5. Outhouse Orchards – North Salem

About 1 hour by car from Midtown Manhattan. Also accessible via Metro-North.
Outhouse Orchards (nope, it's not a joke; it's named for the family who owns it) dates back to the late 1800s. Its pick-your-own apple season kicks off Monday, August 26, 2024, and lasts through Friday, November 1, 2024. A reservation system is utilized on weekends, so book before you go. (No reservations are needed for weekday visits.) Seasonal fun includes hayrides and a corn maze, too. No car? No problem. Take Metro-North to the Croton Falls station and catch a cab to the farm.

See our guide to more places to go apple picking in the Hudson Valley.

RELATED: Where To Go Flower Picking near NYC

Alstede Farms offers rows upon rows of apple trees, plus kiddie entertainment like pony rides and a hay pyramid. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

6. Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm – Yorktown Heights

About 1 hour by car from Midtown Manhattan.
This year, Wilkens celebrates its 108th anniversary. The well-established fruit and fir farm will open for apple picking on Saturday, August 31, 2024, and visitors are strongly encouraged to call or email for exact dates and ripening information. No reservations are needed, though a 1-peck bag must be purchased per every two adults. A wagon ride to and from the orchard is available on weekends in early September.

7. Apple Ridge Orchards – Warwick

About 1 1/2 hours by car from Midtown Manhattan.
This farm offers scenic views of the Hudson and Warwick Valley and plenty of fall activities besides apple picking. General admission is just $3 per person for visitors ages 2 and over, and it includes parking, entry to the apple orchard, and admission to the petting zoo, play area, and farm stand. Apple picking begins on Saturday, August 31, 2024, and no reservation is required, even on holidays. Note that admission and the pick-your-own fee are cash-only, though the farm stand accepts credit cards.

Where To Go Apple Picking in New Jersey

8. Alstede Farms – Chester

About 1 hour by car from Midtown Manhattan. Also accessible via New Jersey Transit.
Talk about agritainment: In addition to being open for daily apple picking, this farm offers all of its special attractions (a corn maze, pony rides, hayrides, a bouncy house, and farm animals to feed) every single day, not just on weekends. It has dozens of apple varieties, including several ready for picking in August. Check its apple-picking schedule before taking the trip, and be sure to book your picking reservations before heading out. You can picnic or partake in the concessions. Even better: You don't need to rent a car to get here. Take New Jersey Transit to the Gladstone station and then a taxi or the FREE courtesy shuttle to the farm on weekends and holidays.

9. Demarest Farms – Hillsdale

About 40 minutes by car from Midtown Manhattan
Demarest has the distinction of being the closest apple orchard to NYC. Just across the Hudson River, this popular farm offers apple picking on weekends in September and October. You'll need a reservation for each member of your party and pay an additional $18 fee for a bag to hold all the apples you can pick (about 10-12 pounds of apples fit in each bag). The farm store offers plenty of lunch fixings, including hot food, salads, soups, doughnuts, and desserts. Make sure to use the special PYO entrance, which is located across the street from the farm market. Free hayrides are available throughout apple picking season.

10. Riamede Farm – Chester

About 1 hour by car from Midtown Manhattan
Riamede Farm is one of New Jersey's oldest pick-your-own apple orchards, and many of the apple trees on its 68 acres of land have been growing there for over 80 years. Apples are expected to begin ripening around late August, though you can also pick many other veggies and flowers when you visit. Admission includes a reusable Riamede apple-picking bag that holds a whopping 20-25 pounds of apples, along with entry to the children's corn maze and a red farm wagon to help you carry all those apples. The farm is open for pick-your-own on weekends and holidays, and a ticket is required for everyone over 3 years of age. Don't miss out on its fun new apple slingshot!

11. Wightman's Farms – Morristown

About 1 hour by car from Midtown Manhattan
Pick your own at this scenic farm begins in early September and runs on weekends. Beyond apple picking, attractions include a pumpkin slingshot, hayrides, and a variety of mazes. It's popular with local families and can get crowded, including the parking lots. An admission fee is required, but the fee is only $10 per person for the season if you buy before Saturday, August 31, 2024. There's already a variety of apples ripening in mid-August! Once you're in, it's pay per weight. Outside food or coolers aren't allowed into the farm, but the farm market sells salads, sandwiches, desserts, and other goodies you can buy and enjoy in the picnic area.

12. Ripple Hill Farm – Basking Ridge

About 50 minutes by car from Midtown Manhattan
Despite the name, there are no hills at this farm, making it a great place to pick, especially if you're pushing a stroller. It's only open on Sundays—beginning Sunday, September 8, 2024—for limited hours and offers about a dozen varieties of apples. The owners are good about keeping the Facebook page updated with what's available. Keep in mind, that it's cash-only at this family-owned farm. No reservation is needed and the last entry into the orchard is at 3:40pm.

13. Battleview Orchards – Freehold

About 1 hour by car from Midtown Manhattan
The oldest pick-your-own apple orchard in New Jersey is best known for its Country Store offering a menu of goodies including its sought-after apple pie. The first apples on this family-owned farm are scheduled to ripen the last week of August, though the actual date is subject to change. Follow the farm on Facebook for the latest updates regarding apple picking and other fun events.

Find more pick-your-own apples in New Jersey.

Know Before You Go Apple Picking near NYC

• Call ahead to confirm hours, apple availability, attractions, and prices. Many orchards are small, family-run establishments that close unexpectedly.
• Approximate driving times don't include traffic. Sadly, you're probably going to run into some, especially at the entrances to popular farms.
• 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.
• By late September, trees start looking bare, so don't wait until Halloween to visit.
• You picked the apples, now what? We've got some tasty and easy apple recipes for you to try.

This article, originally published in September 2012, is updated annually.