The leaves are turning red and there’s finally a chill in the air! After months of heat, it’s now time to enjoy fall. Whether you’re looking for the crispest apples or the roundest pumpkins, the team at Sawyer has got you covered with great spots to check out, updated for 2024! All locations are perfect for all ages, making them ideal spots for a day trip with your family. For even more kids activities in NYC, check out our guide!
Apple and pumpkin picking for kids!
Alstede Farms
The Alstedes are farmers. It’s what they do. But maybe it’s more accurate to say that they’re stewards. Head to their farm and pick delicious apples, shop at their fully stocked farm store, and explore a giant corn maze! Apple picking begins in August and lasts through November. They also have a variety of pumpkins to choose from!
1.5 hours from NYC - 1 Alstede Farms Ln, Chester Township, NJ 07930
Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard
Think your little ones can fill a 25 lbs bag of apples? If so, look no further than Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard. Enjoy hayrides, live music, games, farm animals, and apple cannons! What’s an apple cannon, you ask? We guess you’ll have to go to find out! Apple picking starts in September, but you can purchase tickets in late August.
1.5 hours from NYC - 130 Hardscrabble Rd, North Salem, NY 10560
Apple Dave’s Orchards
Come visit Apple Dave in the heart of the Hudson Valley! You’ll enjoy apple picking, wagon rides, and puppet shows for your little ones. After you fill that apple bag, make a pit stop at their distillery (don’t worry, there’s apple juice for the kids)! Labor Day weekend is the beginning of apple picking season at Apple Dave's and it goes through Halloween. And admission is free on Labor Day weekend and all weekdays!
1.5 hours from NYC - 82 4 Corners Rd, Warwick, NY 10990
Wightman Farms
When you visit Wightman Farms, plan on picking apples until you bag overflows, then head over to the corn maze. If you're bringing your little ones you're in luck! Children under the age of 3 attend for free. Make sure you and your family wear appropriate farm shoes. Their Fall Festivals, which includes all of these activities and more, happen every fall Saturday and Sunday starting in September.
Roughly 1 hour away from NYC - 1111 Mt Kemble Ave, Morristown , NJ 07960
Elmwood Pumpkin Farm
For one of the most authentic pumpkin picking experience, make sure you head to Elmwood Pumpkin Farm. All of their pumpkins are grown in the field! Enjoy picking them off the vine (opposed to merely grabbing them from a bin). Helpful tip: They don't take credit cards!
Roughly 1.5 hours from NYC - 1500 E Jericho Turnpike, Huntington, New York, 11743
Hacklebarney Farm
After you and your family pick the biggest pumpkin you can find, get lost in the corn maze at Hacklebarney Farm while you eat one of their signature cider hot dogs! Can you think of a better way to spend a day?
Roughly 1 hour from NYC - 104 State Park Road, Chester, NJ, 07930
Schmitt Family Farm
The fall fun at Schmitt Family Farm includes everything! A huge pumpkin patch, hayrides, apple cider donuts, roasted corn, and so much more! They are open 7 days a week from mid-September through mid-November.
Roughly 1.5 hours from NYC - 6 Bagatelle Road, Dix Hills, New York 11746
Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm
A one-stop-shop for all your apple and pumpkin picking needs. You can even get your Christmas tree here! If you feel like you need more fresh produce, stop at one of their 3 farm stands on the way out. Apple picking starts Labor Day weekend and pumpkin picking starts at the end of September!
Roughly 1.5 hours from NYC - 1335 White Hill Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
Stuart’s Farm
20 different types of apples, a full pumpkin patch, and hayrides! Come hang at Stuart’s Farm if you want to relish in all of the activities fall has to offer! Apple picking begins Labor Day weekend. Remember: They don't take credit cards.
Roughly 1.5 hours from NYC - 62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs NY, 10527
Terhune Orchards
Apple picking, pumpkin picking, cider, pies, farm animals…need we say more? All of those goodies can be found at the Terhune Orchards. Apple picking starts at the beginning of September and pumpkin picking starts towards the end of the month!
1.5 hours from NYC - 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time for you to get planning! There’s plenty of fall left to enjoy some of our favorite past-times. Wondering how you'll cook all of your new found fall goodies? Explore cooking classes in NYC to learn how!
