Its berry picking season! But its also that time of year to be enjoying wineries and outdoor farm fun! Living in New York City we have access to delicious local farms that offer family fun all year round. Whether you head north to Westchester or Connecticut, West to New Jersey, or out east to Long Island, you’re bound to find a farm that offers it all! Happy picking!

Long Island

Harbes

Harbes Family Farm is one of the very best options for a family fun filled day.  Its almost as if this land was designed for seasonal family festivals. With a giant new playground, tons of farm animals for their petting zoo, jumbo jumpers, a gnome maze, a sports zone, a bunnyville, and SO much more, when I say they have it all I’m not joking. Even though its a 2 hour drive out east on the north tail of Long Island this farm is totally worth every mile. Its location in wine country also makes it perfect for a vineyard, which it is! Online ticketing is open now.

Patty’s Berries And Bunches

This sweet farm doesn’t only offer self picking berries but also grows seasonal flowers making for gorgeous available bouquets! Don’t leave without trying their seasonal ice cream selections from their Ice Cream Patch! All the ice creams are made with fruit grown on the farm. Currently available for picking are strawberries.

Wickham

One of the largest farms on Long Island (300 acres), Wickham Farms is one of the oldest cultivated pieces of land in our country, dating all the way back to 1661. They aren’t currently offering you pick berries, but i wanted to include them because they have an amazing farm stand. With fresh rhubarb, ripe tomatoes, and we can forget they’re freshly baked pies! A great farm to keep on your list!

Windy Acres

Windy Acres is a 4th generation owned and run farm.  At the moment, their U-Pick is strawberries, but they have some delicious ice cream of their own you can purchase. Then going into the fall you can pick fresh tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. Going into the fall you can pick apples and pumpkins.

Lewin Farms

Also a 4th generation family owned farm, Lewin Farms is a family favorite! Offering a wide variety of u-pick fields throughout the spring summer and fall. They also continue into the winter with our cut your own Christmas trees at the baiting hollow nursery. This farm offers delicious crops all year round, and their list is truly endless! Crops include strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, sweet corn, potatoes, peaches, nectarines, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, pumpkins, squash (winter/summer), gourds, watermelons, sugar babies, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, plums, pears, Christmas trees and more…….

Westchester

Fishkill Farms

2 hours north of the city in Duchess County is the charming town of Fishkill NY. Fishkill Farms  which was originally founded in 1913, is a treasure within this beautiful county. This is the great location for a weekend getaway from the city and what a wonderful time of year to take it all in. Currently available for picking is cherries, raspberries, and strawberries! Make sure to book a reservation!

Ochs Orchard

This gorgeous 100 acres farm overlooks the Warwick Valley! Due to covid-19 crop availability is unpredictable and they suggest calling ahead. Their farm market is open every day of the week! They  keep the market stocked with seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables along with jams & jellies, butters, pure maple syrup, honey, apple cider, fresh local eggs and many more!

Kelder’s Farm

Similar to Harbes, Kelder Farms is guaranteed family fun! Farm attractions include mini golf, combine Slides, tube slides, jumping pillow, playground and a petting farm! Crops available for u-pick in July include Strawberries, Kale, Sugar Snap Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, squash, Cucumbers and U-cut Flowers. All appointments for crop picking and family attractions must be made online.

Rose Hill Farm

An impressive 7th generational family run farm! Talk about history! Fruit picking available in July include cherries, blueberries, plums, peaches, apples and nectarines! They also have their winery/cider house this summer for refreshing adult beverages!

 

New Jersey

Alstede Farms

A family run farm that grows just about it all. No matter the time of year this property and the Alstede family is nourishing the land that feeds them . Currently available for picking is blueberries, black raspberries, raspberries, peas and so much more!

Johnson’s Corner Farm

Johnson’s Corner Farm offers tons of family fun activities for all ages! With special themed nights that include Friday night classic car cruise, and pay the temperature Tuesdays! Every Tuesday kids size ice creams cost the temperature degree. So if its 72 degrees, a kids size ice cream cost 72 cents! Due to covid-19 all u-pick appointments must be made online.

Demarest Farms

Demarest Farms is another great family choice all year round. In the summer the farm offers pick your own peaches and outdoor movie nights, in the fall the farm offers pumpkin picking and a haunted orchard, while also offering a light festival during the holidays. This a fun filled farm to keep on your list all year round!

Connecticut

Bishop Orchards

Bishop Orchards offers Strawberries in June, Blueberries in July, raspberries and apples in September and of course pumpkins in October! Their busiest month being August! In  August Bishop Orchards offers pick your own raspberries, strawberries, pears, and peaches! Yum! They also have a winery and offer wine tasting (wine tastings are temporarily closed due to covid-19).

Jones Family Farm

Jones Family Farm offers a variety of experiences. From seasonal farm crops that include strawberries, blueberries, pumpkins and Christmas trees, the farm also feature’s a Jones winery and a The Harvest Kitchen! Enjoy local handcrafted wines from the winery, or take a cooking class with wine pairings from The Harvest Kitchen. The farm also offers farm education for harvest your own crops! Definitely one of my must go to list!

originally published July 12 2020**