Guide To Apple Picking In The Hudson Valley 2024

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — September is superb for apple-picking expeditions in the Hudson Valley — so head to one of the region's orchards for a bag or a bushel of the year's finest apples, plus food, adult beverages and family fun.

Most of these "pick your own" orchards have lots to offer, including a chance to pick up other seasonal vegetables, a gift shop, food, events and activities.

Farmers remind pick-your-own folks that many people are enjoying their orchards, so don't touch what you don’t intend to buy, and don’t eat in the fields.

Here's a selection from the region:

Fix Bros. Farm, 215 White Birch Road, Hudson, NY. 518-828-4401, 518-828-7560. Cash or check only. Beginning Sept. 18, Orchard Days are Wednesday – Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Corn maze and hayrides on the weekends. Their PYO Apple Orchard offers a lot of different varieties. They all ripen at different times throughout the season. Ready in September: Macoun, Empire, Fortune, Jonagold, Red Rubens, Crimson Crisp, Autumn Crisp, Mutsu. Ready in October: Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Ever Crisp, Crimson Crisp, Autumn Crisp, Ludacrisp, Mutsu, Fuji. Go to their website for the amazing story of their 100-year-old McIntosh apple tree and the new apple named the Fix McIntosh — it's a quick read.

Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm, 1335 White Hill Road, Yorktown Heights.914 245-5111. This 2024 season is their 108th year of harvest! Open as of Aug. 17, 2024. The farm is OPEN WEDNESDAYS-MONDAYS starting late August through mid-December. Farm is closed Tuesdays. Pick-Your-Own: 10AM-4:30PM. View the Harvest Calendar for more specific dates. Stop by the farmers markets and gift shop, and check out the wine tastings.

Stuart's Fruit Farm, 62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs. 914 245-2784. The 200-acre family-owned farm offers nine different varieties of apples as well as pumpkins. Apple picking runs daily from 10am – 5pm through November. Aside from the perfect apple picking with an array of apples in Stuart's farm bags, you can take a hayride around the orchard (hayrides are weekends only) and visit the farm stand to buy fresh produce and the bakery for delicious apple cider donuts and homemade pies baked daily. Before heading home have a picnic with your family to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage. Cash or check only.

Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard, 130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem. 914 485-1210. The pick your own season kicks off in September and runs right through the end of October. Apple picking tickets are released on a weekly basis on the website. Tickets for Fall Festival 2024 are now on Sale: the event takes place every weekend September through October. Beginning Sept. 7, they serve only limited breakfast items on weekends until 10am though the full kitchen is open Monday thru Friday 9am to 3pm. Admission tickets are required to access food vendors and all activities on weekends during September and October. The locally famous Hardscrabble Cider is produced on the farm.

Dr. Davies Farm, 306 Route 304, Congers. 845 268-7020. Closed Sept. 11-12, otherwise apple picking every day 10am-4pm through Nov. 9. Cash only. No reservations required for individuals and families; schools trips require reservations. The Red Barn Cidery is open Thursday & Friday 3:00 pm - Dusk and Saturday & Sunday 12:00 pm - Dusk. For information about music and food trucks check their Red Barn Cidery website.

The Orchards of Concklin, 2 South Mountain Road, Pomona. 845 354-0369. Open to the public for picking Saturdays and Sundays only, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Every person entering the orchard is required to purchase a 1/2 peck bag ($16) (children under 3 free). Additional bags may be purchased before entering the orchard. You can also visit the farm stand, and taste the fresh-pressed apple cider. The bakery offers delicious pies, cookies, and pastries.

Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction. 845-897-4377. Reservations for Fall Harvest Season are now posted through Oct. 27. Wagon rides will be running Saturday 9/14 and Sunday 9/15 from 9:30 am-5:00 pm. Wagon rides are included in PYO reservations. Check out the events page to learn more about live music at the cider bar, yoga on the farm, harvest festivals and more. "We are confident that even with New York climate challenges, we can cultivate good produce that’s nutritious for both us and the land. We pledge to improve our growing methods each season and to support our community as much as our soil supports our crops."

Apple Hill Farm, 124 Route 32, New Paltz. 845 255-1605. Opens Sept. 13. Pick Your Own is Friday thru Sunday, 10am-5pm. Farmstand is Open Until 6pm. Open Columbus Day. Hayrides begin 9/21 and end 10/14, and are noon-5pm Sat. and Sun. only. Get fresh pressed apple cider and take home some of our famous apple cider donuts. Tables are available for a picnic or, if you prefer, bring a blanket to relax and enjoy the views.

Hurds Family Farm, 2185 Route 32, Modena. 845 883-6300. Picking and events all day Friday-Monday and after 2 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. For Saturdays and Sundays, tickets for apple picking and plenty of activities. Outdoor rides, bounce pillow, hayride, corn maze, games, obstacle course, water cannon, and off-road tours for all ages. Feed the farm animals and fish in the pond seasonally. Hike or take a golf cart adventure tour through our pollinator fields and other forest trails full of wildlife. Tickets go on sale the Tuesday before. Make sure to visit the bar and cafe, which supports local farms and NY small businesses by using their ingredients in family recipes. Now serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert featuring donuts, local eggs, local meats, and upstate NY wine ice cream.

Greig Farm, 227 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook. 845 758-1234. The farm has been open to the public for more than 60 years. The farm is open for picking every day from May-October. Apple picking continues through late October. The family of pygmy goats can be found playing on their jungle gym and rolling around mountains of hay all year round. Bring a few quarters to feed the goats alfalfa pellets from your hand. Booths are open for check-in/check-out 7 days a week from 10am-5pm. Walk the farm trails, visit the market and cafe, and enjoy Jordan Homestead’s own locally brewed beer or try one of their local beers, ciders and seasonal cocktails.

Rose Hill Farm, 1798, 19 Rose Hill, Red Hook. 845 758-4215. Pick your own 3pm-dusk Thursdays and Fridays, and 10am-5pm Saturdays and Sundays. You can peruse offerings in the Taproom, select snacks and order your wine, cider, beer at the bar. For food pop-ups, live music, events and classes, see details on their Events page. Check the website for the latest ripening schedule and hours of operation. We recommend wearing long pants and sturdy shoes and bring along a hat and sunscreen.

Lawrence Farm Orchards, 39 Colandrea Road, Newburgh. 845 562-4268. During picking season they are open daily from 9am-4pm. In addition to apples they have a tasty array of vegetables at their farm stand. Admission to the farm is $7 per person Monday-Thursday $10 per person Friday-Sunday and Holidays (season passes are available). Children 2 and under are free. In season pick apples, pears, plums, sweet corn, eggplant, broccoli, peppers, green beans, tomatoes, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, and zucchini. Kids will explore the “little village" and visit the animals; adults can enjoy a selection of local beers, hard ciders, and wines plus two special treats: peach sangria and strawberry margaritas. Weather conditions sometimes change picking schedules and availability.

Did we miss a favorite apple-picking spot? Email Lanning.Taliaferro@patch.com and we'll add it.