Apple Picking Adventures: The Best Orchards Near New York City for Fall Fun

Fall is here, and with it comes the unmistakable urge to head out for apple picking. If you live in or near New York City, you’re in luck. Within a one- to three-hour drive, you can find a variety of orchards perfect for a day trip filled with fresh air, crisp apples, and seasonal activities. Whether you want a quiet escape or a lively family outing, these orchards in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania offer something for everyone.

Apple trees heavy with ripe red apples at a New York orchard

The Hamptons and North Fork Orchards

Milk Pail Farm, Water Mill, NY

Milk Pail Farm is a great choice if you want easy access to apples. They grow more than twenty varieties on dwarf trees, which means you won’t have to stretch too far to pick the perfect apple. The orchard opens for picking on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays once the season starts. Besides apples, you can also pick pumpkins right off the vine, making it a great spot for a full fall harvest experience.

• Location: 1346 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, NY

• Open: Friday to Sunday during apple season

• Features: Over 20 apple varieties, pumpkin picking

  
  

Harbes Orchard, Riverhead, NY

If you want more than just apple picking, Harbes Orchard offers a full fall festival experience. You’ll find a corn maze, hayrides, live music, and food concessions. With 27 apple varieties ripening throughout the season, it’s a popular destination for families looking to spend the day outdoors with plenty of activities.

• Location: 5698 Sound Avenue, Riverhead, NY

• Features: Corn maze, hayrides, live music, 27 apple varieties

  
  

Woodside Orchards, Jamesport, NY

Woodside Orchards is known for its hard apple cider, offering four core flavors and seasonal varieties. You can enjoy a cider flight before or after picking apples. The orchard is smaller and offers two apple varieties each weekend, making it a manageable and relaxing outing.

• Location: 116 Manor Lane, Jamesport, NY

• Features: Hard cider tasting, two apple varieties per weekend

  
  

Westchester and Rockland County Orchards

Harvest Moon Orchards, North Salem, NY

Harvest Moon Orchards is one of the most popular apple-picking spots near New York City. It has a lively weekend atmosphere with live music, barbecue, a hard cider garden, and hayrides. The orchard uses a reservation system, but it’s still common to run into friends or neighbors here. It’s a great place to enjoy a festive fall day.

• Location: 130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY

• Features: Live music, barbecue, hard cider garden, hayrides

  
  

Outhouse Orchards, North Salem, NY

Outhouse Orchards is another staple in North Salem’s Apple Alley. It offers a more traditional apple-picking experience with a variety of apples available throughout the season. It’s a good choice if you want a straightforward day of picking without too many distractions.

• Location: North Salem, NY

• Features: Variety of apples, traditional picking experience

  
  

Family enjoying a corn maze at a fall orchard festival in Riverhead, NY

Orchards in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania

While New York offers plenty of options, nearby states also have excellent orchards worth the drive.

New Jersey: Terhune Orchards, Princeton, NJ

Terhune Orchards is a family-friendly farm with apple picking, a farm market, and seasonal events. They grow several apple varieties and offer hayrides and a pumpkin patch. It’s about a 1.5-hour drive from NYC, making it a convenient option.

• Location: 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ

• Features: Apple picking, hayrides, pumpkin patch, farm market

  
  

Connecticut: Lyman Orchards, Middlefield, CT

Lyman Orchards is one of Connecticut’s largest farms, with over 40 varieties of apples. They also have a corn maze, farm store, and bakery. It’s a bit farther from NYC (about 2.5 hours), but the variety and activities make it worth the trip.

• Location: 32 Lyman Road, Middlefield, CT

• Features: 40+ apple varieties, corn maze, bakery, farm store

  
  

Pennsylvania: Linvilla Orchards, Media, PA

Linvilla Orchards offers apple picking, a market, and seasonal events like hayrides and a corn maze. It’s about a 2-hour drive from NYC and is a popular spot for families looking for a full day of fall fun.

• Location: 137 W Knowlton Road, Media, PA

• Features: Apple picking, hayrides, corn maze, farm market

  
  

Tips for a Great Apple Picking Day

• Check the orchard’s website before you go. Dates, hours, admission policies, and payment methods vary widely.

• Bring cash. Some orchards do not accept cards.

• Dress for the weather. Fall can be chilly or muddy, so wear comfortable shoes and layers.

• Plan for crowds. Popular orchards get busy on weekends, so consider going early or on a weekday if you want more peace.

• Bring a bag or basket. Some orchards provide bags, but it’s good to have your own for carrying apples.