Nothing quite says spring and summer like picking out some fresh fruit for you to devour! Just outside of NYC lies many farms and orchards growing the finest treats that nature has to offer! From juicy apples, to sweet strawberries, to even succulent peaches, these picturesque fruit-picking destinations are the absolute best! Get ready to pluck and taste because it’s worth the day trip or weekend getaway!
1. Fishkill Farms
Fishkill Farms and their “Pick Your Own” process make this spot one of our favorites. The family-owned farm harvests all of summer’s best fruits including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, plums, and so many more. The 270-acre orchard and vegetable farm has been around for over 100 years, and even has a farm store and tree-to-bottle cider experience known as Treasury Cider Bar.
Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Where: 9 Fishkill Farm Rd, Hopewell Junction, NY
2. Alstede Farms
No matter the season, Alstede Farms is a great place to pick fresh fruit and vegetables! Located in Chester, New Jersey, you can pick strawberries, blueberries, peaches, apples, pumpkins, and more depending on the time of year. Tickets are required to visit this farm, starting at $16.99, which includes entry to the farm as well as a container for “pick your own.” They also have a farmers market, cider mill, sunflower trail, corn maze, and much more to explore too!
Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Where: 1 Alstede Farms Ln, Chester, NJ
3. Lawrence Farms Orchards
For over 30 years, Lawrence Farms Orchards in Newburgh has been proudly offering “Pick Your Own” fruits and vegetables. The family-friendly joint offers a wide variety of fruits including peaches, strawberries, cherries, plums, pears, and so many more! If you don’t want to brave the Farm Season Pass which grants you access all summer long, you can visit the farm for $7 during the week and $10 on weekends.
Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Where: 306 Frozen Ridge Rd, Newburgh, NY
4. Patty’s Berries and Bunches
We move to the North Fork of Long Island, where this female-owned farm stand proudly harvests the freshest fruit in the area. Although the farm has been around since 1975, it’s only been since 2010 when owner Patty DiVello officially changed the name!
As you can imagine, their berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries) are the talk of the town, while they also grow gorgeous bunches of flowers too (peonies, dahlias, sunflowers, ornemental). Don’t forget to shop their produce stand as well, consisting of seasonal ice cream, cider, baked goods, and more.
Distance from NYC: 3 hours
Where: 410 Sound Ave, Mattituck, NY
5. Sussex County Strawberry Farm
“The Best Strawberries are the ones you pick yourself”…at least that’s what Farmer John of Sussex County Strawberry Farm says. Their U-Pick Strawberries offering is what they’re most known for during June, but they also sell raspberries and blackberries in late August and September, as well as pumpkins in October. In the slower months, you can still check out their stunning Garden Center which has a plethora of already picked foods and flowers.
Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Where: 565 Route 206, North Andover, New Jersey
6. Lewin Farms
Lewin Farms is a fourth generation family farm that has a wide variety of u-pick fields on their massive Long Island farm. Open throughout the spring, summer, and fall, you can find just about every fruit…ranging from strawberries to blackberries to even watermelons! They also have a Farm Stand of pre-picked foods, a corn maze, and even collaborative beers brewed by North Fork Brewing Co. Don’t forget about winter time too since they sell freshly chopped Christmas trees.
Distance from NYC: 3 hours
Where: 812 Sound Ave, Calverton, NY
7. Battleview Orchards
Pluck all of the New Jersey Strawberries, Sour Cherries, New Jersey Peaches, Nectarines, and New Jersey Apples that you want at this farm near NYC! Battleview Orchards is the oldest Pick Your Own orchard in New Jersey and has been around for over 115 years! When you’re not picking out some winners, check out their General Store or plan a visit during one of their seasonal events.
Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Where: 91 Wemrock Rd, Freehold, NJ
8. Happy Day Farm
Since 2012, Farmer Tim has run Happy Day Farm, harvesting the best of the best on his 130 acre farmland. Here, you can pick blueberries and raspberries in the summer, as well as fresh lavender, sunflowers, and zinnias. Admission here depends on what you’d like to pick…starting at $4 for berry picking and going up from there (tickets sold at door). They also have a cute House of Flowers to check out, which turns into a House of Pumpkins in the fall.
Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Where: 106 Iron Ore Rd, Manalapan Township, NJ
9. Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm
Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm specializes in apples and peaches! Only a short drive from NYC, you can “pick-your-own” as you please. This farm also sells freshly-chopped Christmas trees in the winter.
Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Where: 1335 White Hill Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY
10. Ochs Orchard
Stop by Ochs Orchard this summer to pick some fresh blueberries, raspberries, cherries, peaches, and more! This farm in Warwick is great all year round, especially because of their Farm Market store, petting zoo, and more. Don’t forget to grab some locally-made ice cream after you’re done fruit picking too!
Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Where: 4 Ochs Ln, Warwick, NY