Photo by Kelly Postiglione
Apple picking season is here and it’s one of our favorite things to do with kids in the fall around Westchester! Check out our list of the best apple orchards in New York and Connecticut, all within a short drive from Scarsdale, NY.
Barton Orchards
63 Apple Tree Ln, Poughquag, NY
(845) 227 -2306
PYO open Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Additional Attractions: Playground, animals, ice cream stand, gem stone mining, mini golf, concessions, farm stand, Tree Top Adventures Thursday – Sunday, but needs to be reserved online. Music on Friday & Saturday evenings, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. No entry fee (except during festival weekends).
HV Apple Festival, Saturday, October 4, & Sunday, October 5, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard
278 Leavenworth Road, Route 110 in the White Hills section of Shelton, CT
(203) 926-1098
Apple picking begins mid September on weekends
Bakery open daily, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (PYO open on weekends, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Additional Attractions: Bakery & Distillery
Bishop’s Orchards
1355 Boston Post Rd, Guilford, CT
(203) 458-PICK – daily updates
PYO open daily, 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Additional Attractions: Market, creamery & winery.
Fall Festival at the Big Red Barn begins on Saturday, August 30
Blue Jay Orchards
125 Plumtrees Rd, Bethel, CT
(203) 748-0119
PYO open on weekends & Columbus Day
Additional Attractions: Farm market, bakery, pumpkin patch
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard
130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY
Apple Orchard entrance closes at 4:15 p.m.
Additional Attractions: Fun Zone for kids, hay bale maze, children’s harvest train, BBQ lunch, hot apple cider donuts, refreshing apple cider slushies, fresh baked pies, pumpkins, and gifts, all while enjoying live country music. For adult guests, bartenders will be slinging our locally famous Hardscrabble Cider.
Fall Festival 2025 weekends in September & October
Hidden Gem Orchard
2500 Purchase Brook Road, Southbury, CT
Apple picking begins September 6
PYO open Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (no hay rides to and from the orchard on Fridays) Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (hay rides available both days, dependent on weather)
Farm Stand open Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Additional attractions: Farm stand & hay rides
Lyman Orchards
32 Reeds Gap Rd, Middlefield, CT
(860) 295-3886 – 24-hour hotline
Open daily, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Additional Attractions: Golf, apple barrel, corn maze, farm market and events
March Farm
160 Munger Lane, Bethlehem, CT
(203) 266-7721
Open daily, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Additional Attractions: Market, bakery, playground, hay rides, animal yard & corn maze. Live music on weekends!
Outhouse Orchards
139 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY
(914) 277-3188
Open daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Additional Attractions: Corn maze, farm stand, woodier pizza & pumpkin picking
Fall Festival August 30 – November 2
Rogers Orchards
2876 Meriden-Waterbury Tpke, Southington, CT
(203) 879-1206
336 Long Bottom Rd, Southington, CT
(860) 229-4240
Open Friday – Sundays at both the Home Farm and Sunnymount locations, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. including Labor Day & Columbus Day
Additional Attractions: Bakery
Silverman’s Farm
451 Sport Hill Rd, Easton, CT
(203) 261-3306
Apple picking is open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Market open daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., animal farm open daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Additional Attractions: Animal Farm, playground & country market
Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm
1335 White Hill Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY
(914) 245-5111
Wednesday – Monday, CLOSED on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (PYO open, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
Additional Attractions: Corn maze, farm market, ice cream, winery & bakery.
Know Before You Go
- Check the orchard’s schedule ahead of time
- Some Orchards do not accept credit cards so have some cash on hand.
- Dress appropriately for the outdoors and for potentially changing weather conditions. Terrain in orchards is usually grassy and bumpy with hills to climb/come down.
- If you want to bring your dog, check ahead of time. Some orchards do not allow pets.
- Don’t forget to bring your camera!
- Definitely bring snacks… many of the orchards are a bit of a drive from Westchester.
How To Pick The Best Apples
- Apples ripen from the outside of the tree towards the center, so the apples on the outside of the tree will ripen first.
- Once they’re picked, apples stop ripening.
- To pick apples directly from a tree, roll the apple upwards off the branch and give a little twist.
- Don’t throw apples into your basket or bag after picking. Handle them gently to prevent bruising and spoiling.
- Don’t wash apples until right before using them to keep from spoiling.
- Keep apples cool after they’re picked to increase their shelf life.
We’re incredibly grateful for our amazing community and the wonderful people and places that make it so special. Explore our Blog page for features that spotlight local businesses and more. Looking for something to do in Westchester? Check out our Local Guides and Calendar pages to discover what’s happening locally and follow along on Instagram for more!