Apple Picking in NY!

 

So I know there aren’t too many places in the city to visit for apple picking, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from the experience! I found a few places that are pretty close to the city:

Applewood Orchards & Winery

Choose from ten kinds of apples—Macintosh, Cortland, Rome Beauty, Red Delicious, Empire, Macoun, Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Jonagold and Golden Delicious—at this upstate farm, which also sports a lush pumpkin patch, herb and rose gardens, and a general store stocked with myriad jams and jellies. While the kids enjoy weekend hayrides, puppet shows and visiting with live chickens, bunnies and sheep, parents can savor the on-site winery (just be sure to pick a designated driver!). The town of Warwick is also home to Applefest (warwickapplefest.com), which takes place on Sunday, October 5, and features live music, crafts and a highly competitive apple-pie-baking contest. 82 Four Corners Rd, Warwick (845-986-1684, applewoodorchards.com). Daily 9am-5pm September 6 through late October. $28 for a half bushel

 

Barton Orchards

An over 220-year-old white oak marks the center of this 122-acre farm filled with 25 apple varieties—everything from Cortland to Macintosh. Even if your kids aren't big on pommes, they can still enjoy a petting zoo, weekend hayrides and a five-acre corn maze (this year's theme is Mazes in the Movies). 63 Apple Tree Ln, Poughquag (845-227-2306, bartonorchards.com). Monday-Friday 9am–5pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-6pm through Oct 31. General admission $3, children under 2 free (includes petting zoo, hayrides, kids' special events); Fun Pass $9.50, (includes admission, corn maze, haunted house and family theme park). Apples: $1.49 per pound

 

Lawrence Farms Orchards

In addition to over a dozen types of apples including Empire, Cortland, Macintosh, Macoun, Jonagold, Fuji, Granny Smith, and Red and Golden Delicious apples, this Newburgh farm cultivates a cornucopia of other fruits and vegetables. From late September through October, pears, yellow peaches, grapes, sweet corn, tomatoes, pumpkins and other natural bounty are in season. 306 Frozen Ridge Rd, Newburgh (845-562-4268, lawrencefarmsorchards.com). Daily 9am–4pm through Nov 23. $3 per person, children under 2 free. Call for produce pricing.

 

Stone Ridge Orchard

There have been fruit-bearing trees here for more than 200 years, but the farm's approach to sustainability is very 21st-century. Eco-friendly practices like minimal pesticide use and substituting mulch for synthetic fertilizers helped the orchard get certified by Eco Apple, a program of the organic/fair trade nonprofit Red Tomato. You'll find kid-oriented activities here, including a pumpkin house to visit. But Stone Ridge is, primarily, apple-crazy: There are more than a dozen kinds of organic apples for visitors to pick—including classics like McIntosh, Cortland and Stayman—but much of the land has been given over to newer breeds growing on smaller, more densely planted trees, which manager Elizabeth Ryan says puts less stress on the soil and produces bigger and sweeter fruit. Take a bite and judge for yourselves. 3012 Rte 213, Stone Ridge (845-687-2587, stoneridgeorchard.us). Daily 9am–5pm Labor Day Weekend through late October. $9 for a five-pound bag, $17 for a 10-pound bag, $20 for a 27-pound bag.

MRS