The arrival of autumn brings a chill in the air, layered clothing and the gorgeous colors of a picturesque fall foliage. It also has everyone’s favorite autumnal tradition—apple picking. Whether you’re spending the day with friends or family, here are a couple of spots worth visiting.
Wickham’s Fruit Farm
28700 Main Rd., Cutchogue
This 300-acre farm dating back to 1661 offers not only apple picking, but strawberries, raspberries, cherries, blueberries and peaches ready to pick when in season and take home. Pears, pumpkins, apricots and much more are also available for purchase, along with donuts and cider.
Harbes Family Farm and Orchard
5698 Sound Ave., Riverhead ·1223 Route 25, Jamesport · 715 Sound Ave., Mattituck
With three different farms to visit, Harbes is a family-favorite for a reason. Their Riverhead location offers more than 10 different apple varieties for picking like Blondee, Snapdragon, Golden Delicious, Autumn Gala, Ruby Frost and Honeycrisp.
In Jamesport you’ll get lost in a corn maze, enjoy pumpkin picking and a fresh farm stand. For the Harbes vineyard and Barnyard Adventure, visit Mattituck, where more than 40 farm animals roam and games, play areas, a hedge maze, pig races and more await.
Woodside Orchard
729 Main Rd., Aquebogue · 116 Manor Lane, Jamesport
At Woodside Orchard, Cortland, Empire and Gala apples, among many other types, are ready for the picking. With semi-dwarf trees, kids will have no problem reaching for the perfect apple to take home. After you have scoured the orchards, try the farm’s variety of ciders and hard ciders, all made on-site from fresh-picked apples. Pies, donuts, breads and candy apples, as well as fresh honey from their own beekeeping, await guests. Come back to the Aquebogue location after Thanksgiving to pick out a Christmas tree.
Lewin Farms
812 Sound Ave., Calverton
This East End farm offers apples, berries, peaches, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and pumpkins for picking. Offered in their farmstand is broccoli, zucchini, cucumbers, peaches, corn, squash and much more. After stocking up on produce, try your best at navigating their five-acre corn maze. The farm also operates Baiting Hollow Nursery on Fresh Pond Avenue in Calverton where, come winter, you can rent a saw and cut down your own Christmas tree.
Seven Ponds Orchard
65 Seven Ponds Rd., Watermill
In addition to traditional apples, Seven Ponds Orchards also offers tomatoes, raspberries, sunflowers and string beans for the picking. A longer season than most, Seven Ponds holds their apple picking season from late August to late November, giving families plenty of time to schedule a trip. After picking until your heart’s content, take a hay ride or traverse through the corn maze.
Hank’s Pumpkintown
240 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill
Nearly 15 types of apples are ripe for picking at Hank’s Pumpkin
Town. After you’ve filled up your basket, head over to the corn maze, pick a pumpkin, let the kids play on the playground and get their face painted, mine for gems and pick up some treats at the market.
Milk Pail Farm and Orchard
50 Horsemill Lane., Water Mill
With more than 10 different varieties, Milk Pail Farm and Orchard has an apple suited for everyone’s taste buds at their U-pick farm. Gourds, squash and pumpkins are also available for hand-picking. Stop by their fresh market to enjoy flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, honey, pastries, syrup and more. The fresh market is located at 1346 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill.
