The 14 Best Places For Fruit Picking In New York: Where To Go

When most people think of New York, their mind drifts to the urban landscapes of NYC. But did you know there are so many different farms in the state?

You can visit these farms to go fruit picking, so you’ll be able to enjoy fresh fruit freshly picked by you.

The 14 Best Places For Fruit Picking In New York: Where To Go

Whether you’re looking for strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, apples, or pears, there are many different farms to pick from.

That’s why we’ve compiled a selection of the best places for you to go fruit picking in New York. If you want to find where to go, keep reading to learn more. 

1. Apple Dave’s Orchards

Apple Dave’s Orchards is a local fruit-picking farm in Warwick, New York. Not only do they have orchards for you to pick apples and pumpkins from, but they have a distillery too.

Their apple-picking season begins on Labor Day Weekend, and you can experience the range of apples they grow.

You’ll find that the type of apple changes depending on which month you visit.

In September, you can find: 

  • Macintosh Apples
  • Cortland Apples
  • Empire Apples
  • Honeycrisp Apples
  • Jonamac Apples

In October, you’ll find: 

  • Jonagold Apples
  • Fuji Apples
  • Gala Apples
  • Golden Delicious Apples
  • Macoun Apples
  • Red Delicious Apples
  • Rome Apples

They always keep the apple-picking season running from Labor Day until Halloween. However, their distillery remains open from Monday to Saturday throughout the year. 

When you pick apples, you pay only for the apples you pick.

A full half-bushel bag is $36, while a full peck bag costs $20. You don’t need to pay for parking, wagon rides, or entertainment.

All you need to enter is $5 per person on weekends in the harvest season, but it’s free of charge on weekdays or if it’s raining on the weekend. 

When you enter, it will only cost $1 for a peck bag and $2 for a half bushel. Once you have apples, you can explore the orchard and collect fresh apples.

Then, when you finish, you can try the different foods from the kitchen or vendors and see what drinks are available at the distillery. Overall, you can expect a fun day out during the apple-picking season.

If you want to try any of their apples, head to Apple Dave’s and check out their availability. 

2. Cheerful Cherry Farm

While their name implies they only sell cherries, the Cheerful Cherry Farm is a local pick-your-own produce farm in Hector, New York.

They don’t have an official website, but they regularly update their Facebook page with any changes to their products. Of the products they sell, you can expect to find: 

  • Tomatoes
  • Cherries
  • Apples
  • Jalapenos
  • Sweet Peppers
  • Cucumbers

They are most active in the summer and fall, with cherry harvests usually ready by July 4th.

If you visit, we recommend bringing your storage container to keep your produce in as you pick it. Depending on your chosen item, you will then pay $1 per lb. 

We recommend keeping an eye on their Facebook page to keep updated with Cheerful Cherry Farm. If you want more in-depth information, don’t hesitate to contact Cheerful Cherry Farm directly by phone or email. 

3. Condzella’s Farm

Condzella’s Farm is a third-generation farm founded as a potato and vegetable farm in the 1920s.

The Condzella family initially focused on growing Long Island potatoes and strawberries, which they would sell to wholesale markets. However, they stopped growing potatoes in the ‘70s.

Instead, they switched their focus to other crops, with their current focus being on: 

  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes
  • Raspberries
  • Pumpkins
  • Asparagus
  • Peas
  • Beans

In the past, they could focus on selling their produce to wholesale retailers. Still, there are no longer wholesale markets on the East End of Long Island.

While they will still sell to retailers, they also encourage customers to pick their selected products for themselves.

As a smaller farm, they focus on quality over the number of their products. You’ll find that they don’t use synthetic insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or fertilizers.

Instead, they focus on more environmentally friendly methods that help them to reduce their carbon footprint.

So, you’ll find they sell their crops directly to local markets and ensure their products have the highest nutritional value for their customers. 

They donate any remaining unsold crops that are still edible to Island’s Harvest, a charity dedicated to combating hunger on Long Island. 

You can find them at the Barn for asparagus sales by the Wading River from late April to June.

However, from June to August, you’ll find the Farmstand open for anyone looking for strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and many more. 

They will also travel to farmer’s markets to showcase their wares, so feel free to keep updated with where Condzella’s will go next through Facebook

4. Fishkill Farms

Fishkill Farms is a 270-acre apple orchard in East Fishkill. It has been run by the Morgenthau family for over a century, producing apples and vegetables on their farm too.

They sell vegetables throughout the year on their farm all year round. You can also find Fishkill Farms at Hudson Valley and New York City farmer’s markets. 

They allow customers to pick their fruits and vegetables from June. Still, they regularly adjust their dates based on changes in the weather.

However, when they aren’t open for pickings, you can still visit Fishkill farms to try their cider, homemade pies, donuts, and brunch. 

For their pickings, Fishkill Farms request that you book in advance to ensure you won’t be disappointed. You can pick more than one item when you arrive.

They are typically open from 9 AM until 5 PM from Tuesday to Sunday. Still, it depends on the weather and their crops’ availability.

The fruits you can expect to pick are: 

  • Organic Strawberries
  • Eco-Certified Cherries
  • Organic Currants
  • Eco-Certified Donut Peaches
  • Organic Blueberries
  • Organic Raspberries
  • Organic Blackberries
  • Organic Herbs
  • Organic Flowers
  • Organic Tomatoes
  • Eco-Certified Peaches and Nectarines
  • Eco-Certified and Organic Apples
  • Ecologically Grown Asian Pears
  • Ecologically Grown European Pears
  • Organic Sunflowers
  • Pumpkins

Not all of these items are available simultaneously.

You can only pick more than one product type if you have added it to your reservation. You’re also not allowed to bring your containers and must stick to the listed crops. 

Generally, you can expect most fruit and vegetables to be in season from June to October. Still, fruits will have specific dates that you can pick them.

As a farm, they pride themselves on the quality of their fruits and vegetables. They are happy to answer your questions when they return to the season. 

5. Glover Farms

Glover Farms have been open on Eastern Long Island since 1952 when Kenneth Glover Sr. moved from his family farm to start his own.

Initially, he grew potatoes, but there was a decline after several years, so he changed his business to become one of the first picking farms on Long Island. 

They first found fame with their strawberries, which were so successful that the town named the cross street where the farm is Strawberry Lane.

After a few years, they introduced pumpkins to the farm in the fall, and to this day, they still supply fresh produce to the community of Eastern Long Island.

If you want to visit Glover Farms, you can find the following: 

  • Pumpkins
  • Strawberries
  • Farm Animals

Glover Farms is a fun and interactive experience for everyone who visits. In October, you can pick pumpkins for the upcoming holiday and even see the 10-acre corn maze on the farm.

In June, you can choose your strawberries from the vine. Whenever you visit, you can also expect to see friendly farm animals, which you can feed from the palm of your hand. 

6. Greig Farm

Greig Farm is a family farm in Red Hook, New York, and prides itself on being not just a farm but part of the community.

Including pickings, you’ll find that they have scenic trails and encourage people to stay for the selections and the scenery. 

They began their fruit picking service in 1952 to harvest the remainder of their strawberries after the season peaked.

However, this would become a more significant farm focus in the 1970s, so they focused on their fruit and vegetable picking.

Of the fruit and vegetables you can pick at Greig Farm, you will find: 

  • Asparagus
  • Strawberries
  • Peas
  • Blueberries
  • Blackberries
  • Apples
  • Pumpkins

There are a host of apples available, too, so you won’t only expect one type of apple to enjoy: 

  • Jonamac Apples
  • Blondee Apples
  • Macintosh Apples
  • Gala Apples
  • Macoun Apples 
  • Ginger Gold Apples
  • Empire Apples
  • Jonagold Apples
  • Red Delicious Apples
  • Stayman-Winesap Apples
  • Red Rome Apples

You don’t need to pay to enter the farm either, so you can pay for what you pick, with the price determined each year. Generally, this price will cover what you choose by the pound.

You can also purchase different items at the farm market or feed the goats while visiting. 

If you have any questions about Grieg Farms, please get in touch with the farm directly to learn more about picking prices and when different products are in season. 

7. Lewin Farms

Lewin Farms was the first picking farm in Long Island, and the fourth generation of Lewin farmers is now in charge.

They often open their pick-your-own service between spring and fall and offer a cut-your-own Christmas tree service for customers in the winter. 

They have diversified their crops over the years, so you’ll find a variety of different crops available on the farm: 

  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries
  • Blueberries
  • Blackberries
  • Sweet Corn
  • Potatoes 
  • Peaches
  • Nectarines
  • Cauliflower
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Pumpkins
  • Squash
  • Gourds
  • Watermelons
  • Sugar Babies
  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Eggplants
  • Plums
  • Pears

As you can see, they have numerous fruits and vegetables available for picking and in their farm stand. They even have their corn maze for customers to enjoy and get lost in. 

If you want to visit the farm for picking, you must call to confirm the dates, as they depend on crop supply and weather conditions. Generally, they are open from 9 AM until 4:30 PM.

Each fruit and vegetable are available during different seasons, so ensure you call if there is any item you would specifically like to pick. 

When paying, you will need to pay in cash. However, the farm stand will accept card payments. 

8. Love Apple Farm

Love Apple Farm was born in 1969 and has been a major part of New York’s Hudson Valley for 50 years.

They are a vital part of the community that offers locally sourced fruit, vegetables, dairy, and many other products.

Initially founded by actor and writer Chris Loken, and the model Rande Loken, they would run the farm while working between jobs.

However, in 2012, they left New York, and Francis Greenburger and Isabelle Autones took charge. 

When visiting Love Apple Farm, you’ll find that many activities will keep you and your family entertained. You don’t only come to pick your produce.

Still, you can try the different food in the Love Apple Bakery and café. They also have a market and gift shop for you to browse and a farm zoo and playground to entertain your children.

There are a host of fruits to pick from the orchards when Love Apple Farm is in season, including: 

  • Apples
  • Peaches
  • Apricots
  • Gooseberries
  • Currants
  • Blackberries
  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries
  • Nectarines
  • Blueberries
  • Cherries
  • Plums

They are open daily from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM, and all guests should check in at the market to pick up their UPICK bag. A ½ bushel is $35, while a peck is $15.

You aren’t allowed any outside containers while on the farm.

You can check Love Apple Farm’s harvest calendar to determine when each fruit is in season. However, remember that availability changes weekly due to weather conditions and other external factors.

9. Patty’s Berries And Bunches

Patty’s Berries and Bunches is a farm on the North Fork of Long Island and owned by Patty Divello, her family, and the Harbes family, as Harbes Berry Farm in 1975.

There is a U-Pick service, and you’ll be able to purchase flowers, other produce, and even artwork.

You don’t need any reservations for U-Pick, either, as long as you visit during their season. 

Patty’s Berries and Bunches is open from June to November, daily from 9 AM until 6 PM. In June, you can pick strawberries and sugar snap peas.

During July, you can pick blueberries and raspberries. Blueberries and raspberries are also available in August, as are blackberries, and in September and October, they have pumpkins available.

They serve homemade ice cream from their farm shop, and you can also purchase freshly picked flowers to create your perfect bouquet.

You can even make a custom order for wedding bouquets too.

Guests can also walk through the flower fields in the summer months, and families will appreciate the available family photo ops. 

10. Prospect Hill Orchards

Prospect Hill Orchards is a fruit farm in Milton, Ulster County, New York, located on the western side of the Hudson River.

They are a seventh-generation fruit farm and work hard to guarantee a high-quality pick-your-own experience.

The Clarke family has owned the farm for over two centuries, and they have continued to change the produce grown over the years.

Nowadays, they focus on growing their fruit through the low-spray IPM program. Nowadays, they also sell the farm’s fruits and other products through New York City’s Greenmarket System.

There are three farms that you can visit: 

  • Hilltop Farm on 340 Milton Turnpike is where you can pick cherries, peaches, and apples.
  • Homestead Farm is the original farm where you can collect your favorite apples on 73 Clarks Lane.
  • At Clarke’s Family Farm, you can find traditional and organic apples on 2086 Route 44/55.

Throughout the year, you’ll find that all the items you can pick are: 

  • Sweet and Sour Cherries
  • Plums
  • Apricots
  • Peaches
  • Nectarines
  • Apples
  • Pears
  • Pumpkins

They accept cash and credit cards and recommend following their newsletter to discover the best times to pick your favorite fruits.

11. Soons Orchards

Soons Orchards began life as a dairy farm and only had a small number of fruit trees a little over a century ago.

However, when they realized the farm was struggling, Art Soons worked to supply fruit and other produce to the highest quality standard for their customers.

You can visit Soons Orchard, the Soons farm market, or the Orchard Hill Cider Mill Tap Room in the Hudson Valley. The farm market is open year-round. However, it closes on Christmas day. 

There are three fruits that they specialize in growing. Peaches should be available in August 2023.

The apple picking will start on Labor Day weekend, while you can pick pumpkins from the third week in September. However, they are only available to be picked on weekends, so you won’t be able to choose your own during the week. 

If you can’t get to the U-Pick weekends, you can always visit the farm store, where they sell fruit and vegetables. They have a bakery, fresh cider, snacks, and plenty more available for you to buy. 

12. Stuart’s Fruit Farm

Stuart’s Fruit Farm is a family-operated farm that has been running since 1828. Located in Westchester County, New York, it’s only an hour away from NYC. It began life as a cattle farm before switching to agriculture. 

If you visit in the spring, you can buy various flowers and vegetable plants. However, in autumn, you’ll find picking apples, peaches, and pumpkins is the best time.

Then, in the winter, you’ll find that you can choose your Christmas tree for the season. 

Fall is the best season to visit Stuart’s Fruit Farm, as not only is it the best time to pick apples, but you can go for a hayride around the orchard at the weekend.

They also make fresh produce and baked goods with their fresh apples. 

We recommend bringing cash or a check when visiting, as cards aren’t accepted. You can’t bring bags from home, and you should only use Stuart’s Farm bags as they don’t charge an orchard fee, nor do they charge for parking.

13. Wilkens Fruit And Fir Farm

Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm is only an hour north of NYC. They have been harvesting for over a century and sell a wide variety of apples, pumpkins, and peaches.

These are all the fruits available for you to pick from their farm. 

In the winter, you can choose and cut your Christmas Tree. You can also visit one of Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm’s three farm markets throughout the year. Here, you’ll find baked goods, cider, and more. 

Suppose you want to visit and find a specific fruit. In that case, we recommend contacting the farm to confirm the dates on their harvest calendar.

Their farm shops and the market may open in late August and then through December. 

14. Windy Acres Orchard

Windy Acres Orchard is a small farm in Calverton, New York. They are a family-owned and operated farm specializing in U-Pick items, and a 5th-generation farmer runs them. 

When the harvest begins, you’ll find that the prices will vary, so you should always check Windy Acres’ Facebook page to confirm the fees and when they are open.

They have a local farmstand where you can buy apple cider, fresh baked goods, and freshly-picked fruit and vegetables. 

For U-Pick, they appear to sell a wide range of apples, including: 

  • Pink Lady 
  • Braeburn
  • Fuji
  • Granny Smith
  • Cameo
  • Jonagold
  • Mutsu
  • Golden Delicious
  • Empire

They are only open from June, with their harvest season ending in October. If you’re curious about the items sold, you can always head to the farm to find what items are available when they’re in season.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve spent time looking for places to pick fruit in New York, we hope that this guide has been helpful.

These are 14 of the best places to go fruit picking in the state, so if you want some fresh produce to pick yourself, consider checking out these farms in season. 

To find other areas to pick fruits, look at our other articles to see where you can go next. 

Amelia Haslehurt
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