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1. Barton Orchards – Poughquag

Your family can spend an entire day enjoying all that Barton Orchards has to offer, including pick-your-own apples, pumpkins, and veggies, a playground, petting zoo, gem stone mining, miniature golf, concessions, and a farm market.  And there are fairs and other special events every weekend in October.

2. Muscoot Farm – Katonah

Although it is now a Westchester County Park, Muscoot Farm was once a fully operational dairy farm.  As such, while there you can visit with more than 50 animals (cows, horses, sheep, ducks, etc.) and tour historic buildings, such as the milk house and carriage house. Muscoot also offers special events, educational programs, and more than six miles of scenic trails.

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You'll find plenty of pumpkins at Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard. Photo by Susan Miele

3. Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard – North Salem

Bring the family to Harvest Farm & Orchard to enjoy apple picking, barbecues, live music, scenic orchard walks, and much more.  (Advance reservations and admission tickets are required.)  And bring your appetite for a farm-fresh menu of breakfast and lunch favorites. Another bonus here: The fun extends well beyond harvest this season as the orchard hosts Lumagica, a holiday lights walk-through this winter.

4. Pierson’s Farm – Middletown

Pierson’s Farm offers plenty of family-friendly activities, including a petting zoo, gem mining for kids, rubber duck races, a playground, and more. Some activities require an additional charge.  Of course, there is also apple picking, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and a variety of produce, baked goods, and even farm-fresh eggs and meat for sale.

5. Stamford Museum and Nature Center – Stamford, Connecticut

Every time my family and I visit the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, located right off the Merritt Parkway, we discover a range of activities to satisfy everyone’s interests. Highlights include the 10-acre Heckscher Farm, featuring barns, a maple sugar house dozens of farm animals, an otter pond, a playground built into the woods, planetarium, and rotating art exhibits.

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The fields at Outhouse Orchards are perfect for a family hike. Photo by Sara Marentette

6. Outhouse Orchards – North Salem

Enjoy a 15-minute tractor ride around Outhouse Orchards and take in some great views of the gardens, apple trees, and other area farms. Afterward, pick apples and pumpkins, get lost in a corn maze, and shop for fresh produce grown right on the farm. (Note: Advance reservations and a per-car fee are required.)

7. Stew Leonard’s – Yonkers

OK, I know this is a supermarket, but it looks like a farm, and has plenty of family-friendly activities.  The Harvest & Halloween Drive Thru features some not-so-spooky inflatables (and a few really creepy clowns).  Inside there are audio-animatronic cows, chickens, and more that have entertained kids for years.  And on Wednesday, October 27 the store hosts its annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat Spooktacular, where children can visit stations around the store and collect candy.  Best of all, all activities are FREE.

8. Stuart’s Fruit Farm – Granite Springs

A family-operated farm since 1828, Stuart’s offers about 20 different varieties of apples for picking, as well as pumpkins. The original barn now serves as a market selling fruit and produce grown on the farm.  Families can also enjoy fresh-baked pies, doughnuts and other goodies.

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Enjoy a tractor ride amid the grounds of Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm.  Photo courtesy of the farm

9. Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm – Yorktown Heights

My family and I have been visiting this Westchester County farm for more than 20 years.  Located just off the Taconic State Parkway, Wilkens has multiple varieties of apples to pick, a pumpkin patch, corn maze, bakery, gift shop, and playground.  And for the parents, the recently opened White Hill Vineyard.

10. Wright Family Farm – Warwick

There is seemingly no end to the unique, family-friendly activities at this farm, including a cow train, rubber duck races, pumpkin bowling, goat walk, and pedal cart, as well as traditional favorites such as pony rides, a corn maze, and pumpkin patch.  (Be advised that many activities require an additional fee.)