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When fall officially arrives, it’s time to unpack those cozy sweaters, grab a camera for some leaf-peeping, maybe order a pumpkin spice latte, and definitely go apple picking.
This pastime is a great way to spend an afternoon with family or friends, feel more connected to nature, and perhaps enjoy other activities like wagon rides, corn mazes, and sipping apple cider, whether hard or traditional.
Whether you’ve recently moved into one of the Albany houses for sale or you live in New York City, the state has nearly 700 apple orchards with many available for picking so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
The Best Apple Picking in New York State
Apple Dave’s Orchards, Warwick
The apple activities kick into high gear starting Labor Day weekend every year at Apple Dave’s. Just 90 minutes north of New York City, there are plenty of things to do here, including following Apple Dave’s Walking Trail to pick from 11 different varieties depending on the month, including Rome Beauty, Cortland, and Jonamac apples.
There’s no charge for apples you eat along the way, you’ll only be charged for the picking bags used to bring your apples home. Plus, there are puppet shows, face painting, fresh-made apple doughnuts, and wagon rides.
The on-site distillery offers the orchard’s signature hard cider along with various New York beers for the adults too.
Barton Orchards, Poughquag
This farm in the Hudson Valley, about an hour and 40 minutes from the big city, is a favorite for apple picking. There are over 120 acres of apple trees and picking areas that are rotated frequently to ensure visitors will have access to the ripest fruit. But you’ll find a slew of other things to do here too.
That includes a petting zoo with peacocks and llamas, an ice cream stand famous for apple cider doughnut sundaes, hayrides, a corn maze, a dog park, and even a treetop climbing adventure with rock walls and zip lines. In the Tap Room, enjoy local pours of craft beer, cider, and wine.
Dressel Farms, New Paltz
The Dressel Family has been growing apples in the Hudson Valley for four generations and today it’s run by three active generations who grow 20 different varieties of apples. U-Pick Apples starts in mid-September and ends in late October, and is available on weekends.
There’s also a farm stand with apples, pears, fresh apple cider, apple cider doughnuts, and homemade ice cream. You can get some unique fall flavors too, like Pumpkin Ginger, Hudson Valley Sweet Corn, and Apple Cider Doughnut.
Love Apple Farm, Ghent
This Hudson Valley farm has been around for more than a half-century. It offers great deals on apple picking at 99 cents per pound for your apple bags and it also has all the other makings of an idyllic fall outing.
There’s a petting zoo, an art exhibition, a bakery with fresh apple pies, apple cider doughnuts, apple turnovers, and more, as well as a cafe, market, and playground.
Dr. Davies Farm, Conger
The Davies Farmhouse was built in 1836, an attraction that’s long been popular for picking your own apples with more than 4,000 apple trees and 20 varieties, like Crispin, Golden Delicious, and Winesap.
The primary focus is apple picking but there’s also a corn maze and hayrides that will take you out to the farm pumpkin patch.
Minard’s Family Farm, Clintondale
The kids will love this farm with over 100 acres of apple trees plus pumpkins to pick, a giant bounce pillow, petting zoo, corn maze, and even pumpkin bowling. Plus you can get tasty fresh-baked goods at the farm stand, homemade jams, and snacks.
If you don’t have a vehicle you can book a car service like Majestic Limo & Car Service to take you between orchards.