Apple picking season is here, and many Hudson Valley and Westchester farms celebrate with kid-friendly entertainment, including live music, corn mazes, and hayrides. 

I used to look forward to apple picking every year as a child, and now I have just as much fun watching my little ones run through the orchards—not to mention indulging in fresh-pressed apple cider.

For more fall fun, be sure to check out our rundown of the top spots for hot, delicious cider doughnuts in the area and our Pick-Your-Own Guide to Hudson Valley and Westchester farms.

Apple picking on Long Island is the perfect kid-friendly activity to kick off the fall season. From small farm stands to orchards filled with trees sized just right for little hands, we've rounded up the best places on LI to pick apples. Families can spend a few hours picking delicious apples ripe for eating and baking some delicious treats. 

Apple picking season begins as early as the end of August at some farms and continues through October. Some of the farms host special apple festivals with family fun for all ages. Check each farm’s website for hours and apple bounty updates. Farm activities are dependent on the weather, so always check out the farm's social media or website before your visit. 

For even more seasonal activities and family fun, check out our Long Island Farm Guide and our Fall Fun Guide for Long Island Kids. 

Fall is on the horizon, and in New Jersey, that means it's time to go apple-picking. No matter where you live in the Garden State, there's bound to be a pick-your-own farm nearby. In addition to apple picking, many NJ farms also offer awesome seasonal activities like corn mazes, hayrides, and petting zoos.

So, grab a few baskets and head out to one of these great New Jersey apple orchards and farms.

For more great things to do in autumn, check out our story on NJ's best fall day trips and much more in our Fall Fun Guide for New Jersey Kids. 

Apple picking near NYC starts just before Labor Day weekend and continues throughout the fall, with apple orchards in the tri-state area offering families a chance to pluck a perfect fruit right from the tree. Many of these apple orchards near NYC also host fun apple festivals and cool kids' attractions, including hayrides, petting zoos with barnyard animals, bouncy houses, and corn mazes. Some even sell home-baked treats like apple cider doughnuts.

While there was a time when apple trees thrived in NYC—ever wonder how Orchard Street got its name?—city families today need to head out of town to pick their own fruit. There are plenty of wonderful apple orchards for apple picking near NYC. Whether you want to go apple picking in the Hudson Valley or apple picking in New Jersey, we've rounded up 13 apple orchards for a fall family day trip from NYC. All are an hour and a half or less from Midtown Manhattan by car, and a few are even accessible by train.

For other fun farm outings, check out our Pick-Your-Own Guide for NYC Families.

SeaWorld Orlando is an experience your family will never forget, no matter how old your children are or where their interests lie. My family and I have visited SeaWorld park on numerous occasions over the years, enjoying animal encounters, family-friendly attractions, live shows, roller coasters, fine dining, and more. A cross between a theme park and an aquarium, SeaWorld Orlando has something for everyone. Take a look at our insiders look of SeaWorld and why it may be a great option for your family!

As late August and September arrive, so do thoughts of apple picking near DC. This favorite fall tradition is a must for families, and it often goes far beyond plucking ripe apples from a tree. Many of these Virginia and Maryland apple orchards host fall activities of all kinds, like hayrides, petting zoos, and playgrounds.

All of the apple orchards and farms listed below are within easy driving distance of DC. A few of them even made our lists of the best pumpkin patches near DC and fun fall festivals near DC. Remember that farm conditions and produce availability change throughout the season, so call or check the farms' websites before you visit.

Read on for our list of 13 great places to go apple picking near DC. Then check out our Fall Fun Guide for Washington, DC Families for even more great autumn activities.

The best apple orchards within a two-hour drive of Chicago for your apple-picking pleasure, many with seasonal extras for kids.

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