Where to Go Apple Picking Just Outside of NYC

This Hudson Valley farm is always one of the most popular spots for apple picking, but Barton offers far more than just that. In addition to the orchards, there’s a corn maze; aerial adventure park, Treetop Adventures; and for local craft beer, cider, and wine, the Tap Room. As for apples: expect over 120 acres of trees, and they rotate picking areas frequently to ensure visitors always have access to well-stocked trees and the ripest fruit. The farm also hosts frequent weekend events, including Oktoberfest, Fall Festivals, and their Country Music Jamborees.
By public transport: 2 hours and 25 minutes. From Grand Central Station, take the Harlem Line towards Wassaic and exit at the Pawling Station. From there, take a cab ride eight miles to the orchards.
By car: 1 hour and 40 minutes

While the apples here are delicious and bountiful, Dr. Davies Farm is also well known as a destination for film shoots. Aside from being the location for multiple SNL skits, famous faces like Ryan Gosling, Drew Barrymore, and Robert Redford have all shot projects here. But, back to the apples: the farm boasts over 4,000 trees on 55 acres, with nearly two dozen apple varieties. Dogs are also welcome here, so feel free to bring along your furry friends as long as they’re on a six-foot leash. While walk-ins are permitted, those slots are limited, so we recommend booking a time in advance.
By public transport: One hour and 35 minutes. From Penn Station, take NJ Transit to Secaucus. Transfer to the Pascack Valley line and exit at Nanuet.
By car: One hour and 25 minutes

This 270-acre apple orchard has been in the Morgenthau family for over 100 years and has a deep commitment to eco-friendly practices. Apple picking (and other pick-your-own items like pears, blackberries, and flowers) at Fishkill is by reservation-only so be sure to book ahead. Afterwards, celebrate your bounty with a cider tasting that includes a reserved picnic table and flight of four estate grown and wild fermented ciders. If doing your own picking just isn’t your thing, don’t sweat it: their organically grown vegetables and eco-certified fruit are all available in their farm store.
By public transport: 1 hour and 45 minutes. From Grand Central Station, take the Hudson Line towards Poughkeepsie. Exit at the Beacon Station and take a cab 12 miles to the farms.
By car: 1 hour and 30 minutes

We won’t lie: the best part of Greig Farm might be all of the ridiculously cute goats that live behind the farm market, but the apples are a very close second. This farm in Red Hook (not the Brooklyn one) grows almost a dozen different apple varieties—from Gala and Ginger Gold to McIntosh and Red Delicious—which are in season from late August to late October. And plan to stay for at least an afternoon when you visit: in addition to the aforementioned goats, there is also the Sohu craft market located in a renovated dairy barn and winding hiking trails with views of the Catskill Mountains. Don’t miss Greig’s farm market either, which has an incredible selection of locally produced goods and an excellent cafe to fill your belly before or after picking.
By public transport: 2 hours. From Penn Station, take Amtrak to Rhinecliff, then take a cab 11 miles to the farm.
By car: 2 hours and 10 minutes

Sure, the name may be misleading, but this Water Mill institution is a fantastic choice for apple picking if you’re Out East. At Hank’s Pumpkintown, $30 gets you a one-peck bag (a peck, by the way, works out to approximately 10 pounds) of apples like Jonagolds, Cortlands, or Cameos. And yes, it’s also worth visiting closer to pumpkin season, when 30 acres of attractions will delight the inner-child in anyone (but be warned that it is incredibly popular, so plan ahead). Activities include narrated hayrides, gem mining, a 7-acre corn maze, and classic fall snacks like Apple Cider Doughnuts and Hand-Dipped Caramel Apples. And, of course, don’t forget to grab a fresh-baked pie from their market on your way out.
By public transport: 2 hours and 35 minutes. From Penn Station, take LIRR to Jamaica Station, then transfer to the Montauk Branch. Exit at Southampton and take a taxi two miles to Pumpkintown.
By car: 2 hours and 20 minutes

One of the most family-friendly farms in the region, Harbes offers 78 acres of apple picking with over 27 varieties. But what makes this farm especially great for younger (or of shorter height) pickers is their unique trellis system, which grows apples low enough to the ground for easier reaching. There is also a wealth of other fall activities here and at Harbes’ other nearby locations, including multiple corn mazes, hayrides, and pumpkin picking. And their farm store in nearby Mattituck is not to be missed: roasted Gourmet Super Sweet Corn, homemade berry jams, and signature Apple Cider Donuts are just some of the tasty delights.
By public transport: 2 hours and 20 minutes. From Penn Station take the Ronkonkoma Branch towards Ronkonkoma and exit at Mattituck Station. From there, take a taxi four miles to the orchard.
By car: 2 hours and 15 minutes

This farm in northern Westchester is well-known in NYC circles due to its proximity to the city. At Harvest Moon, apple picking is available on weekends only and reservations will have to be purchased in advance. An entry ticket gets you access to the orchards, farm store, and pumpkin patch; you can add on apple picking bags from $15 for a quarter-peck size (about three pounds).
By public transport: 1 hour and 20 minutes. From Grand Central Station, take Metro North’s Harlem Line towards Wassaic and exit at Croton Falls. From there, take a taxi two miles to the farm.
By car: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Technically a “love apple” is an old-fashioned term for wild tomato, but rest assured that this charming farm in the Hudson Valley actually stocks the kind that grows on trees. In addition to their apple orchards with views of the Catskill Mountains, Love Apple also grows berries, peaches, and plums, all of which are available for U-pick during their peak seasons. Don’t miss the market here, which is essentially the size of a small grocery store and showcases nearly two dozen local farming partners (we recommend grabbing apple turnovers for the road). On your way out, swing by and say hi to the menagerie of animals at the petting zoo, including Little Bit the pony.
By public transport: 2 hours and 15 minutes. From Penn Station, take Amtrak to Hudson. From there, take a taxi eight miles to the farm.
By car: 2 hours and 30 minutes

This 100-plus-year-old farm in the Warwick Valley is notable for allowing visitors to drive their cars straight to any of their 10,000 trees. And once you pick your spot, you can even set up a picnic while you hunt for the perfect apple. Their website also features a handy ripening guide so you can decide which weekend to visit based on your favorite variety. And if you’re in a rush, you can preorder goodies like pies and Apple Cider Donuts to pick up on your way out.
By public transport: 1 hour and 50 minutes. From Port Authority Bus Terminal, take the 196 bus to the Warwick Park & Ride, then walk or take a cab for the remaining .9 of a mile.
By car: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Load up on all the fall favorites at this Hamptons farm, which opened Labor Day weekend for apples and pumpkins. The dwarf apple trees at Milk Pail ensure easy grabbing, while pumpkins ranging from minis to 150-pound behemoths can be plucked straight from the vine. Pricing for a quarter peck bag will cost you $8, and the largest size of a half bushel bag is $50 for varieties like Gala, Honeycrisp, and more. And fun fact: the Halsey family who runs it are, astoundingly, the 12th generation to work the land.
By public transport: 2 hours and 55 minutes. From Penn Station, take LIRR to Jamaica Station, then transfer to the Montauk Branch. Exit at Bridgehampton and take a taxi two miles to the farm.
By car: 2 hours and 20 minutes

This Westchester farm, celebrating its 106th harvest this year, is only about an hour’s drive from New York City, making it one of the more accessible options in the area. It’s also notable for the wide range of fruits, vegetables, and plants that they grow: in the fall, there are over a dozen varieties of apples to pick, while closer to Christmas, visitors can choose-and-cut Douglas and Fraser Fir trees. There is also a charming market, which has an impressive array of baked goods including fresh pies, their famed Apple Cider Donuts, and—most intriguing—strudel sticks, as well as the farm’s own wine from White Hill Vineyard.
By public transport: 1 hour and 30 minutes. From Grand Central Station, take the Hudson Line towards Poughkeepsie. Exit at Peekskill Station and then take a taxi seven miles to the farm.
By car: 1 hour and 5 minutes