"Apple picking in Upstate New York is a whole vibe: crisp fall air, crunchy leaves underfoot, and trees heavy with ripe fruit just waiting to be plucked. It’s the kind of outing where I trade screens for cider, and the pace of the day slows down to match the rhythm of the orchard."
I’ve got a basket full of McIntosh and Empire apples, warm cider doughnuts in hand, and golden sunlight streaming through the trees—all within a few hours of New York City. Who knew fall could feel this wholesome and magical?
A weekend trip to Indian Ladder Farms near Albany means tractor rides, cider tastings, and mountain views. Masker Orchards in Warwick lets me drive right up to the trees—tailgate apple picking is a thing! For a scenic, low-key day, Stone Ridge Orchard in the Hudson Valley blends heirloom varieties with rustic charm. And if I’m chasing that classic fall photo op, Fishkill Farms has rolling hills, pick-your-own pumpkins, and organic apples galore.
"Leaves crunching, cider flowing, apples for days? That’s my kind of fall escape."
Unique Upstate NY Apple Picking Orchards and Farms:
1. Pick Fresh Flavors at Owen Orchards Cider Mill and Farm Market
For apple picking in Cayuga County, Owen Orchards is one of the top spots to be. This apple picking location has been serving upstate NY for many years, offering a long list of over a dozen different apple varieties to enjoy. Some of the varieties you can pick at this location include Honeycrisp, Cortland, Gala, Macoun, Empire and Red Delicious. Pumpkins and squashes can also be picked at Owen Orchards, with homemade products like cider, apple donuts, baked goods, and of course several thousand bushels of freshly-picked apples available for purchase. Additional activities at this location include wagon rides, orchard tours, and the possibility to organize private events like birthday parties.
8174 Grant Ave, Weedsport, NY 13166, Phone: 315-252-4097
2. Savor Seasonal Delights at Lone Maple Farm
This Broome County apple picking location offers much more than just apple picking. You can also visit the farm market for a huge range of tasty goods or check out the on-site bakery for some delicious treats fresh from the oven. A winery is also located on site, with homemade apple cider bottles also available for purchase. The U-Pick apple orchards at Lone Maple Farm include varieties like Empire, Cortland, Northern Spy, Honeycrisp, and Macoun. Even when apple picking season ends, many bushels of apples can still be purchased from the store.
2001 Hawleyton Rd, Binghamton, NY 1390, Phone: 607-724-6877
3. If You Love Fall Traditions, Visit Altamont Orchards, Inc
This family owned and operated apple farm has been in business for more than five decades now and is one of the best apple picking spots in Albany County. Altamont Orchards is surrounded by scenic surroundings and has some very attractive prices on its apple picking services too, with a lot of tasty apple varieties waiting to be picked like Red Delicious, Crispin, and Fuji. This farm's sweet apple cider is too delicious to miss out on, and a lot of great products can be bought from the farm market including apple cider donuts, apple bies, apple breads, and much more. A cute little greenhouse is also located on-site, with lots of beautiful flowers growing inside.
6654 Dunnsville Rd, Altamont, NY 12009, Phone: 518-861-6515
4. Taste Autumn’s Best at Apple Hills
For an authentic, apple picking experience in upstate New York, Apple Hills is a must-visit location. This place is 100% focused on apples, but has a lot of different activities and services to offer, including an apple cafe serving great country-style food, an apple shop selling plenty of homemade goods and tasty products, and, of course, a whole lot of apple trees just waiting to be explored. This Broome County location offers the perfect setting for a crisp fall day of apple picking enjoyment.
131 Brooks Rd, Binghamton, NY 13905, Phone: 607-729-2683
5. Wander Scenic Rows at Apple Hill Farm
Apple Hill Farm is picturesquely located overlooking the Shawangunk and Catskill Mountains in New Paltz, New York. Their farm stall, set in a beautifully renovated barn, is open to the public from the beginning of September to the end of October. The apple picking season starts sometime in September, depending on when Mother Nature is good and ready. Early McIntosh apples ripen in September, followed by Cortland, Opalescent and Spartan, but you will have to wait until October for Red and Golden Delicious varieties. You can come and pick your own delicious apples or select your choice at the farm stall, which also sells delicious apple cider and apple cider donuts. Kids will love the hayrides and festive atmosphere.
Apple Hill Farm, 124 Route 32 South, New Paltz, NY 12561, 845 255 1605
6. Fill Your Basket with Fresh Finds at DuBois Farms
Open to the public daily from July through November, DuBois Farms is one of the best places to go self-picking in the Hudson Valley. The self-pick season starts with all the wonderful summer fruits – you can pick strawberries, peaches, plums, grapes and nectarines, as well as cooking staples like peppers, egg plant, tomatoes and pumpkins. The farm is a wonderful place to spend a fun day with the family – in addition to learning about where their food comes from, youngsters will have great fun meeting some of the farm animals and exploring the huge corn maze. The fabulous farm shop sells all kinds of fruit and veg as well as baked goods, fresh cider donuts, pies, breads and much more.
DuBois Farms, 209 Perkinsville Road, Highland, NY 12528, 845 795 4037
7. If You Crave Farm-Fresh Flavor, Explore Rulfs Orchard
Rulfs Orchard has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a small-scale dairy farm and apple orchard in 1954. As the farm prospered and grew, crops were diversified and many more fresh items were added to the simple road-side stall. Today Rulfs Orchards invites you to bring your family out into the country to do some fun self-picking. U-pick varieties include strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, apples, tomatoes and pumpkins. Besides picking their own fruit children can spend time at the petting zoo, explore the corn maze (September – October), choose their own Halloween pumpkin or attend one of the fun bakery and cookery courses on offer.
Rulfs Orchard, 531 Bear Swamp Road, Peru, NY 12972, 518 643 8636
8. Enjoy Country Charm at Indian Ladder Farms
Besides being famous for their sustainable produced EcoApples, Indian Ladder Farms also produces a wide variety of other crops. They have a Farm Market on the premises where they sell their own fresh produce and that of several neighboring farms. From late June to October the public is invited to come and pick their own delicious fruit varieties including berries, plums and apples. October is the time to come and choose your favorite perfect Halloween pumpkins. There is an onsite cidery and brewery where you can taste some delicious craft beers and ciders and the Yellow Rock Café will ensure full happy tummies.
Indian Ladder Farms, 342 Altamont Road, Altamont, NY 12009, 518 655 0108
9. Sip and Snack at Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard
Although the Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard to not offer conventional pick your own, they do welcome you to come and pack your own. Perhaps it is not quite as much fun as picking your own apples, but you do get to keep your shoes clean. The beautiful farm stall features many different types of apples and shoppers can fill their bags with a wonderful mix of different apple varieties. They even give you recipes to ensure your apple pie will be the best in the county. Besides choosing farm-fresh apples, you can also enjoy a tour of the cider mill, admire the vintage equipment display and let the children lose in the Tractorland playground.
Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard, 288 Goose Street, Fly Creek, NY 13337, 607 547 9692
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
- Why is New York a great place for apple picking?
- New York is one of the best states to grow and pick apples, so you have a lot of options if you’re looking for a good apple orchard in upstate New York.
- Where can you go apple picking in upstate New York?
- All around cities like Buffalo and Rochester, lots of super apple-picking locations are waiting to warmly welcome visitors of all ages.
- How can visitors find the best apple orchards in this region?
- We’ve taken a look at the various orchards in this region of the state in order to help you find the best one.
- Where can I find recommendations for the best apple-picking locations?
- Read on for some brief overviews of our favorite upstate NY apple-picking locations to visit on your weekend getaway from NYC.
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