Editor’s note: This story has been updated for the 2018 season.
Sweetening the change from summer to autumn is the glorious tradition of marching into a local orchard, reaching up and picking delicious, juicy orbs of fruit. That’s right, apple picking season’s back!
Besides apples, many pick-your-own apple orchards on Long Island also offer tons of fall activities, such as corn mazes, hayrides, playgrounds and more. Not to mention the homemade pies, fresh apple cider, donuts and endless list of other delicious fresh-made goodies.
Here’s what’s in store at LI’s nine apple orchards.:
Fort Salonga Farm
30 Meadow Glen Rd., Northport. 631-269-9666 fortsalongafarm.com 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
All of Fort Salonga Farm’s apple trees are “dwarfed,” making them a perfect size for children. Their apples ripen from August to October. Also check out their honey extracted from bee hives on site.
Hank’s Pumpkintown
240 Montauk Hwy., Watermill. 631-726-4667. Hankspumpkintown.com $25 per 10-lb bag. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Don’t let the name fool you. Hank’s also has an orchard with 14 varieties of apples open for season Sept. 8 and runs through late October. They also have a corn maze, a corn train, a duck race and a farm stand.
Harbes Family Farm and Orchard
5698 Sound Ave., Riverhead. 631-369-1111. harbesfamilyfarm.com $10-$22. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. every weekend in September and October. Apple Fest is Sept. 8 & 9.
Harbes’ orchard opens to pickers on Sept. 1, with more than 27 different varieties of apples to choose from. The fun includes a corn maze about 35 minutes long, vineyard wines, homemade caramel and candy apples, cider donuts and a spooky nighttime maze.
Lewin Farms
812 Sound Ave., Calverton. 631-929-4327. Lewinfarm.com. 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. daily.
This “pick your own” orchard usually opens from late August through October, but dates are approximate, so they encourage pickers to call to confirm. Their farm stand also sells pumpkin, corn, berries and other crops. Lewin Farms also has a corn maze of approximately 5 acres that is open to all age groups.
Milk Pail Farm and Orchard
1346 Montauk Hwy., Watermill. Milk-pail.com Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
This farm starts their apple picking season Sept. 1 and runs through late October. Pumpkins are also available to pick at the Milk Pail Farm. Their website includes a detailed breakdown of which varieties of apples are available at which times during the short apple-picking season.
Seven Ponds Orchard
65 Seven Ponds Rd., Watermill. 631-726-8015. facebook.com/Seven-Ponds-Orchard 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Thanksgiving.
Seven Ponds Orchard offers apples, berries, and vegetables to pick from. Sunflowers and pumpkins are also available when in season. A farmers market, playground, hayride and corn maze add to the fun.
Wickham’s Fruit Farm
28700 Main Rd., Cutchogue. 631-734-6441. Wickhamsfruitfarm.com 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Wickham’s orchard opens for apples in September and runs through October, with pumpkin picking starting in October. Also available for picking are strawberries, cherries, blueberries, blackberries, and peaches. They also boast cider from Long Island’s oldest cider press.
Windy Acres Farm
3810 Middle Country Rd., Calverton. 631-727-4554. facebook.com/Windy-Acres-Farm 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Besides apples, this family run farm also offers pumpkins in the fall. Other local fruits and vegetables, as well as flowers, are available for purchase. A playground and tractor ride for children is available as well.
Woodside Orchards
729 Main Rd., Aquebogue and 116 Manor Lane, Jamesport. 631-722-5770. Woodsideorchards.com 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily at Aquebogue location; same time on Saturday and Sunday at Jamesport location.
Twenty eight different types of apples are available on semi-dwarf trees, easy for children to pick. Also ready to pick are pumpkins, and there is a corn maze for a fun activity. Woodside is also the only local orchard that makes hard cider and has a tasting room on site.
