Where To Find The Perfect Pumpkin And Enjoy Fall Fun

The air is crisp, the leaves are turning; the scent of fall is in the air. That means it’s time to pick a pumpkin for Halloween or perhaps to make delicious pumpkin pies. Finding the perfect pumpkin at a nearby farm offers more than shopping at the source. A pumpkin picking expedition offers an opportunity to enjoy seasonal scenery, indulge in fun fall activities, such as hayrides, and savor seasonal treats, such as cider doughnuts.

Here are a few nearby pumpkin picking opportunities.

Westchester

Outhouse Orchards

139 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem

914 277-3188

The orchards offer a wide selection of pumpkins, gourds and Halloween decorations to inspire the fall spirit. Pick your favorite pumpkin and the staff will weigh for you at the check out tent. Parking is $5. Pumpkin picking hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm

1335 White Hill Road, Yorktown Heights.

914 245-5111

The farm is open daily from August until mid-December. You can pick pumpkins from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. an after that stop by the gift shop for freshly baked cookies, pies, cider doughnuts and strudel sticks, as
well as gift items. This year the farm celebrates its 100th year of harvest.

Stuart’s Fruit Farm

62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs

914 245-2784

The 200-acre family-owned farm offers pick-your-own pumpkins, apples and vegetables. On weekends you can take a hayride through the orchards and end the visit by sampling a freshly baked pie or doughnut with a
glass of apple cider. Stuart’s has been around for 180 years.

Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard

130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem

914 485-1210

You can’t pick pumpkins off the vine but Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard does offer a wide variety of regular and obscure varieties. The farm holds a Fall Festival on weekends through October 30th, plus Columbus Day. Entertainment for the kids include farm animals, bouncy castles, face painting and hayrides. You can also buy homemade doughnuts, cider, produce and fresh eggs. Dogs on a leash are welcome.

Rockland

Dr. Davies Farm

306 Route 304, Congers

845 268-7020

Visitors can enjoy a scenic trailer ride to the farm’s pumpkin patch and pick out their own. The scenic 35-acre farm also sells homemade doughnuts and fresh pressed cider. Bring cash, as the farm does not accept credit cards.

The Orchards of Concklin

2 South Mountain Road, Pomona

845 354-0369

There's a lot of kid-friendly fun to be had at The Orchards of Concklin, including a haunted house, bounce house and Jurassic adventure. The orchards offer a variety of pumpkins, plus fresh-pressed apple cider, a variety of vegetables and farm fresh eggs. The bakery sells delicious pies, cookies, and pastries.

Putnam

Salingers Orchard

230 Guinea Road, Brewster

845 277-3521

The orchard was established in 1901 and is still farmed by the same family. Not only can you buy pumpkins there, as well as apples, vegetables and raw local honey, but you can also stock up on pumpkin pies. Salinger's Orchard is open daily year-round from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except for holidays.

Mid-Hudson Valley

Wonderland Farms

191 White Schoolhouse Road, Rhinebeck

845 876-6760

Wonderland Farm has a variety of pumpkins for sale, as well as some fun fall activities. After exploring the farm’s 30-acre pumpkin field, you can also visit the petting zoo, catch a hayride, and pick your own apples, gourds, corn stalks and Indian corn.

Ochs Orchard

4 Ochs Lane, Warwick

845 986-1591

The three-generation family farm has pumpkins, cider doughnuts, homemade ice cream and a petting zoo for the kids. The farm is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

DuBois Farms

209 Perkinsville Road, Highland

845 795-4037

Visitors can pick pumpkins through the end of October, as well as enjoying pony rides, tractor-pulled wagon rides, visits with farm animals, a two-acre corn maze and more.

Meadowbrook Farm

29 Old Myers Corners Road, Wappingers Falls

845 297-3002

A local favorite for over 70 years, the farm offers pumpkins galore, a large variety of apples for picking and uses their own apples to make fresh cider

Fishkill Farms

9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction

845-897-4377

The farm offers a selection of pumpkins, plus several varieties of apples, fun hayrides, a farm market, cider doughnuts, and barbecued jerk chicken for lunch. The farm also sells liquor, roasted coffee and local ice cream.

Apple Hill Farm

124 Route 32, New Paltz

845 255-1605

Apple Hill Farm offers produce but also a panoramic view, as it overlooks the picturesque Shawangunk and Catskill Mountains. Pumpkins are available through October 30. Pick-your-own hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visitors can also check out the restored 1859 barn for fresh pressed apple cider and mulled apple cider donuts, as well as wreaths, dried and fresh-cut flowers. Hayrides.

Hurds Family Farm

2185 Route 32, Modena

845 883-6300

At Hurds Family Farm it’s possible to pick your Halloween pumpkin, plus some vegetables, salad greens, pears and a variety of apples. Pumpkins weigh in at $.60 a pounds. There’s a lot of “agritainment” for the whole family, including a Big Apple Bounce air pillow with a beautiful view of the Mohonk Mountains. Kids can go gem mining, follow one of the two nature trails or take a hayride around apple trees and pumpkin patches

Wilklow Orchards

341 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland

845 691-2339

The farm offers two options for pumpkin picking. Within the orchard there’s a patch of small pumpkins, ranging from two to five pounds. These are $2 each and just the right size for painting or for children
to carve. For larger pumpkins there’s Paisly’s Pumpkin Patch, down the road from the farm. The pumpkins in this patch range from 20 to 30 pounds and are priced at $.50 a pound. Mini gourds are six for $5. After
picking pumpkins, stop by the bakery, where New York State flour plus regional butter and eggs are used to make muffins and bread. Fresh fruit from the farm is used to make jam and cider.

Greig Farm

227 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook

845 758-1234

The farm is open for picking pumpkins from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. The field is located at 263 Pitcher Lane, so look for the signs. Kids may appreciate the farm’s petting zoo. There’s a nursery/garden shop and Christmas shop. The farm, which has been open to the public for more than 60 years, also organizes wine tastings.

Photo: Courtesy of Wikipedia