By Francesca Furey, Zarah Kavarana, and Sabrina Sucato
The arrival of fall brings so many wonderful experiences in the Hudson Valley. From apple picking to pumpkin picking, farms are at the center of it all. Of course, it wouldn’t be a farm visit without an apple cider donut or two! Here’s where to go for the sweetest treats in the Hudson Valley.
Pro tip: You’re going to want to bring some home! Cider donuts are an ideal breakfast or snack alongside a steamy cup of coffee or tea.
Kingston, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Wappinger
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Perks: multiple locations, onsite bakery, grocery shopping
Hours: see website for each location
Part farm market, part supermarket, Adams is 100-percent a favorite among Hudson Valleyites who want to shop and support local. Cider donuts are a staple here, and each location has a full service, in-store bakery to ensure they’re always as fresh as can be. Pair them with a glass of Adams’ own fresh-pressed apple cider (warm or cold, the choice is yours) for a top-notch autumn snack.
Courtesy of Auntie El’s Farm Market
Sloatsburg
Perks: PYO pumpkins; country store and bakery
Hours: daily, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Congers
Perks: PYO apples and pumpkins; farm market
Hours: daily, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Highland
Perks: PYO apples and pumpkins; on-site winery and brewery
Hours: daily, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Hopewell Junction
Perks: PYO apples and pumpkins; harvest festivals; on-site cidery
Hours: Tues–Sun, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Valatie
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Perks: on-site bakery, cider mill, distillery, smokehouse and road stand
Hours: daily, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Thought cider donuts were season-specific? Not at Golden Harvest. Its in-house bakery churns out cider donuts year-round, so if your cinnamon sugar game is permanently strong, you can satisfy your cravings just about any day of the year. And sure, you could wash it all down with some apple cider (which is pressed from the farm’s apples and sold throughout the year), but we recommend a visit to Golden Harvest’s onsite farm distillery, Harvest Spirits, for some of the stellar Core Vodka.
Adobe Stock / Sarah
Modena
Perks: PYO apples and pumpkins; barn café; farm market
Hours: Mon–Fri, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sat–Sun, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cornwall
Perks: PYO apples; country store; barn animals
Hours: Wed–Sun, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Ghent
Perks: PYO apples; farm zoo; bakery and café
Hours: Mon–Sat, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sun, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Warwick
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Perks: PYO apples; on-site beer garden; ice cream and bakery
Hours: Mon–Sat, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sun, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
A true farm experience in the Hudson Valley, Pennings is a one-stop shop for apple picking at the orchard, shopping at the farm market and garden center, and local eats and drinks at the beer garden, ice cream stand, and pub and grill. Of course, every visit to the Warwick farm requires at least one of its signature cinnamon-coated donuts – preferably with a cup of cider in hand to wash it down.
Adobe Stock | VM2002
Accord
Perks: PYO apples and pumpkins; market and bakery
Hours: Tues–Sun, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Closed Mon
New Hampton
Perks: PYO apples and pumpkins; farm store
Hours: daily, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Gardiner
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Perks: PYO apples and pumpkins; ice cream; farm store
Hours: daily, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
A former dairy farm, Tantillo’s has been a go-to for fresh fruit and veggies for over 80 years. Whether your visit is a day-long pick-your-own apple affair or a quick pitstop to the farm market, any trip to the fourth-generation farm isn’t complete without the award-winning cider donuts and a mouth full of cinnamon sugar. The secret to the scrumptious, cider-forward flavor is Tantillo’s use of local cider from Minard Farms Beverage Company in Clintondale.
Cold Spring
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Perks: marketplace and nursery
Hours: Tues–Sun, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
A Cold Spring staple since 1982, this family-owned farm market and garden center consistently pumps out some of the best cider donuts around. Baked fresh each morning, the treats come plain or coated with powdered confectioner’s sugar, cinnamon sugar, or cinnamon powder. Whichever preference you proclaim, be sure to get there early because Vera’s sells out fast.