9 Best Places for Apple Picking on Long Island

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As summer draws to a close, it’s time to start planning quintessential fall activities with family and friends. In the northeast, there’s no better way to ring in the season than a pick-your-own-fruit adventure at one of the many apple orchards on Long Island. Along with the area’s freshest apples; farms often host other events to help you make an entire day out of your visit. Check out the list below to find out what farms to visit, when to go, and what kind of apples they grow. Here is a list of our 9 favorite places for apple picking on Long Island.

If you’re from the Tri-State area or visit often, you already know that Long Island is huge, meaning it’s home to stunning beaches, historic sites, hiking areas and diverse communities, along with acres and acres of farmland.

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picking apples on Long Island

Long Island is located at the southern tip of New York State, just east of New York City. It is about 120 miles long, so when narrowing down your apple picking options, location will be one of the most important factors to consider.

A farm near Hempstead, for example, will likely be easier to reach than one located closer to Riverhead. However, both the Sunrise Highway and the Long Island Expressway cut across the entire island, making it easy to navigate by car as long as you avoid weekday rush hours.

9 Best Places for Apple Picking on Long Island

Long Island apple picking season: Apple picking season can begin as early as the end of August and continue through October. Be sure to call in advance or check each apple farm’s website for hours and available apple varieties.

1 & 2. Woodside Orchards

Woodside Orchards apple trees in Long Island

With a location in Aquebogue and one in Jamesport, Woodside Orchards offers hard cider tastings and homemade baked goods to go along with your bag of fresh-picked apples.

The U-Pick schedule starts in September, and both locations offer apple picking on weekends only. The orchard’s Jamesport location accepts cash only, while its counterpart takes both cash and card payments.

If you’re visiting the Aquebogue location, you’ll also have the opportunity to sample cider at the tasting room, which is open six days a week in September and October.

Woodside Orchards Cider

Keep in mind that furry friends are allowed in the picnic areas but not in the orchard itself. If you’re wondering when your favorite apple variety will be available, take a look at Woodside’s helpful chart and plan ahead.

From Cortlands to Winesaps, the orchard grows a huge range of apples, and you can learn more about each variety’s flavor profile and characteristics here.

Both Woodside Orchards locations are located on the North Fork and are among the most popular Long Island apple farms to visit.

  • Farm Activities: U-pick, cider tastings, baked goods
  • Cost: Check the Woodside Orchards website or call ahead for pricing
  • Distance from NYC: 2 hours and 15 minutes
  • Aquebogue Address: 729 Main Rd, Aquebogue, NY 11931
  • Jamesport Address: 116 Manor Lane, Riverhead, NY 11901

3. Windy Acres Orchard

Windy Acres Orchard

Located just off of Middle Country Road in Calverton, Windy Acres Farm is a family-owned Long Island staple specializing in U-Pick.

The farm specializes in growing a wide variety of apples including Jonagold, Empire, Macintosh, Autumn crisp, Macoun, Cortland, Suncrisp, Red Delicious and keepsake.

Offering various fruit orchards and a fully stocked farm stand, Windy Acres Farm is your go-to for more than just apples- depending on when you go, you’ll find everything from nectarines to string beans.

The farm is open daily, and you can find an updated picking schedule on the Windy Acres Facebook Page. Availability can change frequently depending on the harvest schedule, so be sure to check for online updates or call ahead to inquire about the day’s offerings. Run by a 5th generation expert, Windy Acres is your stop for fresh, quality produce in Eastern Long Island.

There’s a tractor ride that takes you to the fields to pick apples and a little farm stand with apple cider donuts, roasted corn and other treats.

  • Farm Activities: U-Pick, farm stand
  • Cost: $10 per person to enter (over two years of age) the orchard you will receive a 1/4 peck bag which holds up to 4 lbs of apples. Cash and card accepted.
  • Distance from NYC: 2 hours
  • Address: 3810 Middle Country Rd, Calverton, NY 11933

4. Hank’s Pumpkintown

Hank’s Infamous Apple Cider Donuts
Hank’s Infamous Apple Cider Donuts

If you’re taking Montauk Highway through the Hamptons this autumn, you’ll come across Hank’s Pumpkintown, a family-owned fixture located in Water Mill.

Open September through October, Hank’s offers both pumpkin and apple picking, along with a host of other fall activities for the whole family.

After picking the perfect jack o’ lantern pumpkin, take on the corn maze, hop on a wagon ride, and stop by the on-site bakery to pick up snacks for the drive back. Keep in mind that apple picking is available only on weekends- be sure to check the Hank’s Pumpkintown Facebook page to see what varieties you have to choose from week by week.

  • Farm Activities: Corn maze, wagon rides, homemade baked goods, pumpkin patch
  • Cost: $30 per 10lb bag
  • Distance from NYC: 2.5 hours
  • Address: 240 Montauk Hwy, Water Mill, NY 11976

5. Wickham’s Fruit Farm

Wickham's Fruit Farm cider, apples and donuts

Located on Long Island’s North Fork, Wickham’s Fruit Farm is another favorite, known for its century-spanning history in the area- farming activity on the land can be traced back to 1661! Featuring a market, the farm has a summer and fall U-Pick schedule, ending in October.

Apples are available in September and October, while supplies last. Calling ahead is recommended for updates, and keep in mind that the farm is closed on Sundays.

Overlooking the Peconic Bay, Wickham’s is an idyllic stop on any Long Island day trip, especially if you’re headed to Greenport or Shelter Island.

This is one of my favorite apple picking on Long Island orchards! Check Wickham’s Fruit Farm Facebook page to see what varieties you have to choose from week by week.

  • Farm Activities: Farm market, U-Pick
  • Cost: Check the Wickham Farm website or call ahead for pricing
  • Distance from NYC: 2.5 hours
  • Address: 28700 Main Road, Cutchogue, NY 11935

6. Harbes Family Farm

Harbes Family Farm famous apple cider donuts with a cup of hot and cold apple cider.
Harbes Family Farm famous apple cider donuts with a cup of hot and cold apple cider.

Also located on the North Fork, Harbes Family Farm is a memorable family go-to, especially as Halloween rolls around. Opening in September, the farm’s orchard offers nearly 30 different types of apples across its 78 acres. Taking the youngest visitors into consideration, the apples are grown at reachable heights so that everyone can participate in the fun.

Whether you’re craving a bag of Daybreak Fuji, Autumn Gala or good old Golden Delicious apples, you’re bound to find it at Harbes, along with a number of homemade treats. Try the apple crisp, a caramel apple, or a cup of hot cider before heading into the farm’s Wizard of Oz corn maze, located right next to the pumpkin-picking patch.

If you’re visiting on Saturday or Sunday, don’t miss a bumpy hayride as well. For those looking for even more thrills, the orchard hosts an all-ages Spooky Night Maze on Saturday evenings in October.

  • Farm Activities: Corn mazes, homemade snacks, hayrides
  • Cost: $19-31 per person
  • Distance from NYC: 2 hours and 20 minutes
  • Address: 715 Sound Ave, Mattituck, NY 11952

7. Milk Pail U-Pick Farm

Milk Pail U-Pick Farm

Tucked into the Hamptons, Milk Pail Farm is another popular apple picking destination, especially if you’re heading to the Hamptons to squeeze in one last beach day before the cold weather sets in.

Offering both apple and pumpkin picking, the farm grows a number of apple varieties in September and October. The orchard’s dwarf trees make it easy for children to reach the perfect apple, and an on-site market serves hot drinks and sweets.

One 20 pound (half-bushel) bag of apples guarantees admission for six people, making Milk Pail Farm a great option for larger families. Pumpkin patches are located right next to the apple orchard, so you can easily pick both in one visit.

  • Farm Activities: U-Pick, pumpkin patch
  • Cost: 5 Pounds $15, 10 Pounds $29, 20 Pounds $50
  • Distance from NYC: 2.5 hours
  • Address: 50 Horsemill Lane, Water Mill, NY 11976

8. Seven Ponds Orchard

Seven Ponds Orchard

Located in Water Mill, Seven Ponds Orchard opens for apple picking in late August, meaning you can get a head start on autumn apple recipes. An on-site farmer’s market sells fresh produce and homemade products, while a hayride and corn maze invite the youngest visitors to enjoy the farm grounds.

Checking Seven Ponds’ Facebook Page is the best way to keep an eye on updates, as the orchard does not have a website. The farm is open daily until Thanksgiving; if you can, call ahead to confirm U-Pick availability.

  • Farm Activities: Corn maze, hayrides, farm market
  • Cost: Call ahead for pricing
  • Distance from NYC: 2 hours and 20 minutes
  • Address: 65 7 Ponds Rd., Water Mill, NY 11976

9. Lewin Farms

Calverton is a hamlet on eastern Long Island in Suffolk County, New York. Lewin Farms is a family farm on eastern Long Island offering apple picking as well as lots of u-pick (pick your own) including Christmas trees, pumpkins and more.

Their apple picking season starts in late August to early September and runs through October and sometimes into November.

U-Pick fields generally open from 9 am to 4:30 pm, except when there are limited quantities or weather conditions. It’s best to call in advance.

  • Farm Activities: corn maze, farm stand, u-pick.
  • Cost: Call ahead for pricing. 631-929-4327
  • Distance from NYC: 2 hours and 20 minutes
  • Address: 812 Sound Ave, Calverton, NY 11933

Hope you enjoyed this list of the best apple picking in Long Island, New York orchards.

What will you do with your apple harvest? We suggest apple pie, carmel apples or candy apples! You could even try making homemade apple cider doughnuts.

Different Varieties of Apple Common to Long Island, NY

Long Islanders can pick a wide range of apples, including Ultimate Gala, McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Daybreak Fuji, Cortland, Macoun, Empire, Snow Sweet, Jonagold, Autumn Gala, Cameo, SunCrisp, Mutsu and Autumn Rose Fuji.

5 Fun Facts about Apples

Apple Basket

When you plan your apple picking in Long Island excursion, you can impress your family and friends with these fun facts about apples!

  • The United States has 5,000 plus apple producers who grow, on average, 240 million bushels of apples each year.
  • Granny Smith Apples, can not be grown in New York because they require a longer season to ripen than the state conditions allow.
  • The pilgrims brought apples with them in 1629 to the Massachusetts Bay Company.
  • According to records, Governor Peter Stuyvesant planted an apple tree from Holland in 1647 on the corner of Third Avenue and 13th Street in New York City.
  • There are 7,500 varieties of apples in existence throughout the world. 2,500 different varieties of apples are grown in the United States.

5 Tips for Your Apple-Picking Adventure

  1. Dress in Layers & bring a light rain jacket.
  2. Wear boots. Even if it’s not a rainy day, the fields could still be muddy. Here is my favorite boot for fall. If you have kids, these apple rain boots are perfect!
  3. Bring a garbage bag (for muddy boots) and an extra pair of shoes for the drive home.
  4. Bring a picnic blanket and picnic lunch to enjoy on the farm.
  5. Don’t forget sunscreen and hand wipes!

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