The late summer and early fall is apple picking time, and a day on a u-pick farm is the perfect staycation or basis for a cheap weekend getaway for many New York area families. Follow my family to the countryside in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut for the best PYO apple and pumpkin picking farms in the tristate metropolitan area.

If you're traveling this fall, check out our complete guide to apple picking orchards and farms across the country: FTF Guide to Top U-Pick Farms in the USA.  So whether you're interested in introducing the kids to sustainable agriculture, promoting healthy snacking, riding a hay bale, getting poked in a corn maze, petting cows and sheep, sampling donuts and fresh pies, or just sipping on some apple cider, we have your family's needs covered. 

Apple Picking & U-Pick Em Farms in New York State

From the New York metropolitan area, a manageable drive either North or South will provide plenty of choices for showmanship, as well as apple picking, farm stand browsing and as of late September, pumpkin patches.  The PYO orchard of note in Dutchess County near Beekman, New York is Barton Orchards, where hay rides; corn mazes and petting farms rule on weekends. We're sorry to see that they now charge an admission fee, but there is truly a lot of fun stuff to do. Greig Farm has expanded its "pickings" to include a new orchard of smaller trees (fun with short pickers), a small vineyard producing Alison Wines and tastings, a bakery and a large plant nursery. Closer to Manhattan in Westchester County, the small Outhouse Orchards stocks a big giftshop but also has hayrides and pony rides for kids.

Farther north in Ulster County, Mr. Apples Low-Spray Orchard invites visitors to learn about the history of the apple business at its display of photography and old-fashioned harvesting and cider press equipment.  This orchard is also one of the few selling pesticide-free produce. Also in Ulster County is Minard Farms, which offers pick-your-own apples and sells pumpkins and berries when in season. Donuts, cider, and hayrides are also available at their 100-acre farm just 75 miles from New York City, and within view of the Catskills -- a stunner during the peak foliage season. There's serious farming going on at Minard, so they only open to the public weekends.

Quite a bit farther north in Columbia County, Golden Harvest Farms is home to the tastiest apple cider doughnuts ever sampled by this author.  The orchard of semi-dwarf trees is in a richly historic, largely agricultural region and I highly recommend a visit to Golden Harvest if you're ever in the area; it's a perfect weekend away.

PYO Farms in New Jersey

In Bergen County, New Jersey, Abma's Farm Market (where you can get fresh poultry and eggs) and Demarest Farm (in business since 1866 and selling great peaches too!) offer hayrides and pumpkin picking. The Demarest Farm organizes birthday parties and hayrides all fall, as well as apple and pumpkin picking depending on the time you visit.

The Farms View Roadstand in Passaic County also offers fresh vegetables, a plant nursery and pick-your-own pumpkins throughout October.   A bit farther out into the country, at the Mount Family's Terhune Orchards in the beautiful town of Princeton, late September and early October feature Family Fun Weekends with a haunted barn, live music, corn maze, pumpkin painting, and scarecrow making. Of course, pick-your-own berries, apples and pumpkins are on tap for family fun. Overpicked? Check out the recipes on their website.

Favorite, Entertaining & U-Pick Farms in Connecticut

And if you wish to take a ride up to Connecticut, there are plenty of orchards and fruit farms during the harvest season. Silvermans Farm, voted one of USA Today's 'top 10 apple picking places' in the country, is one of the most show biz places I've seen. (Look for the buffalo and llama in their petting zoo.) They even lend tractors to families who have trouble navigating the hilly terrain.

Only a 90-minute ride from New York City is Blue Jay Orchards in Bethel. This 140-acre farm has nearly 30 varieties of apples and offers hayrides to its “Pumpkin Patch” during weekends in October. If you're with a large group, call ahead to book their fun Pre-K Apple Tour.

Open 360 days a year, Bishop Orchards is a big operation in Guilford that features a Farmer’s Market, winery, apple and pumpkin picking, as well as a bakery that sells delicious fresh-baked pies, fudge and zucchini bread. Bishop’s 300 acres are also home to llamas, goats and alpacas that live in the Little Red Barn.

Apple Pickers Directory for New York, New Jersey & Connecticut

In closing, here are some of my favorite apple and pumpkin picking farms in the tristate region. Before you head out, consider what you'll do with the apples that you pick. Different varieties are better suited for different purposes. The most popular varieties for eating include the Macintosh, Empire, Idared, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Red Delicious, Jonathon and new hybrids like the Jonagold. If sauces or pies are in the plan, try the Cortland, the Golden Delicious, the Russet, and the Mutsu. If you're set on making your favorite recipe, call ahead to see what's left on the trees.

Pick Your Own New York State Apples

Applewood Orchards and Winery, 82 Four Corners Rd., Warwick NY 10990 - 845/986-1684

Barton Orchards, 63 Apple Tree Lane, Poughquag, NY 12570 - 845/227-2306

Greig Farm, 223 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook, NY 12571 - 845/758-1234

Minard Farms, 250 Hurds Road, Clintondale, NY 12515 - 866/632-7753

Mr. Apples Low-Spray Orchard, Rt. 213 West, 25 Orchard St., High Falls, NY 12440 - 845/687-0005, 845/687-9498

Country Charm Farm, 201 DuBois Road, New Paltz, NY 12561 - 845/255-7916

Outhouse Orchards, 130 Hardscrabble Rd., North Salem, NY 10560 - 914/277-3188

Golden Harvest Farms, 3074 US Rt. 9, Valatie, NY 12184 - 518/758-7683

Pick Your Own New Jersey Apples

Abma's Farm Market, 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff, NJ 07481 - 201/891-0278

Demarest Farm, 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale, NJ 07642 - 201/666-0472

Farms View Roadstand, 945 Black Oak Ridge Rd., Wayne, NJ 07470 - 973/839-1212

Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd., Princeton, NJ 08540 - 609/924-2310

Pick Your Own Connecticut Apples

Blue Jay Orchards, 125 Plumtrees Rd., Bethel, CT 06801 - 203/748-0119

Bishop Orchard, 1355 Boston Post Rd., Guilford, CT 06437 - 203/453-2338

Silvermans Farm, 451 Sport Hill Road, Easton CT - 203/261-3306