The Best Places For Pick-Your-Own-Apples

Visiting orchards is one of my favorite fall activities in (or should I say justttt outside of) NYC. It’s no surprise that Apple Pie is one of our seasonal flavors this month, because I always come back to the city with WAYY more apples than I know what to do with. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip is the flavor at our Urbanspace pop-up shop for the same reason! You can only carve a couple pumpkins, but you can bake all kinds of things with the iconic orange gourd (and add a few chocolate chips while you’re at it, of course).

It’s great to trade the hustle and bustle of the city for the sights and smells of a cute farm! These are my recommended spots for getting upstate into the fresh air on a fall day.

For Fresh Air with the Whole Family

Apple Ridge Orchard adds farm animals, hayrides, and pumpkins to a day of apple picking. Baby goats and sheep can be played with, pet, and hand fed in the barnyard. The farm-fresh merchandise selection is massive and includes honey from bee hives on the farm, apple cider, handpicked fruit preserves, homemade apple cider donuts, and too more to list.

For an Adult Day Trip

Weed Orchard and Winery is just that, a place for apples AND wine. So yes, it obviously makes my list! Weed is my go-to for an adults-only, day-long get away because unlike the farm stand serving snacks at many orchards, there is a full-blown restaurant. Apple picking + wine + margarita pizza and truffle fries = a perfect fall day!

photo via fishkillfarms.com

Fishkill Farms also has everything you need for a date/day trip combo. The farm’s “cider garden” serves artisanal cider by the taste, glass, and bottle. Pick-your-own isn’t limited to apples and pumpkins on this upstate farm, fruits ranging from cherries to nectarines are available for picking in their respective seasons. There is also a farm store and outdoor grill serving ready-to-eat food and take-home goodies.

For a Weekend-Long Stay

Stone & Thistle is an Instagram-ready farm stay. Tiny, carefully decorated cottages sit on a farm that you have the chance to help care for. No, I’m not telling you to go shovel manure! If you chose to, you can participate in “farm chores” and feed baby goats, collect fresh eggs, or take part in other sweet duties! Another great option for an overnight or weekend stay is Hull-o Farms. It has small houses on the property that families can rent and enjoy farm tours, farm chores, hayrides, and a take-home basket full of farm-fresh treats and recipes for baking at home!

When you get back from your day trip out of the city, come try our fall-inspired flavors, Apple Pie and Pumpkin Chip. If you can't make it into NYC, you can still get a taste; our Thanksgiving 4-pack is shipped nationwide, straight to your doorstep!