With fall festivities in full swing, what better way to keep the fun going than by visiting one of the many Hudson Valley farms for a U-pick pumpkin trip? In addition to pumpkin picking, many of the farms offer hayrides, corn mazes, and other seasonal fruits and vegetables for plucking perfection.
On the way out, don’t forget to stop by the orchard shops to get warm apple cider donuts and fresh-pressed cider by the pint.
Albany County
Stanton’s Feura Farm
Feura Bush
Saturdays & Sundays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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If you want to take home a lot of pumpkins, this is your spot—they’re just 60 cents per pound. Fresh apple cider donuts are a must here—as is a journey through the corn and hay mazes.
Indian Ladder Farms
Altamont
Daily, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
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This 100-plus-year-old orchard offers pumpkins and a variety of apples for October U-pick—adults can sample the apples in cider form at the farm’s tasting room. Stop by on October 12 or 13 to don a lei and drink beer from pineapple steins at the Hawaiian Oktoberfest.
Columbia County
Fix Bros. Fruit Farm
Hudson
Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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Fix Bros. Fruit Farm is the go-to spot for cheap pumpkin picking. Pumpkins range in size and shape, with other fruits and veggies up for picking as well. Gourds and more are also up for sale in the farm stand if you aren’t the U-pick type.
Yonder Fruit Farms
Valatie
Weekends, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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Yonder’s autumn U-pick farm is chock-full of pumpkins, apples, gourds, winter squash, and lots of other decorative fall veggies. (You can shop from the farm stand if you don’t feel like trekking into the fields.) Don’t leave without a gallon of fresh apple cider.
Samascott Orchards
Kinderhook
Wednesday–Monday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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From classic orange to white and even green, the carving pumpkins at Samascott are perfect for projects of all sizes and shades. The Kinderhook farm also sells homemade ice cream at the garden market—treat yourself to a cone after braving the seven-acre corn maze.
Dutchess County
Fishkill Farms
Hopewell Junction
Tuesday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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The pumpkin patch on this 270-acre farm is located in the epicenter of the farm’s apple orchard and accessible via a free hayride. Plus, you can get Zen with farm yoga on Saturday mornings, get lost in the tractor-themed corn maze, or visit the outdoor bar for live music and tastings of Treasury Cider—the cider slushie is one-of-a-kind.
Barton Orchards
Poughquag
Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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Barton Orchards is the place to go for pumpkin picking and a day of family fun. Take a hayride to the pumpkin patch and pick away, then stop by the concession stand, “The Apple Core,” for the to-die-for apple cider donut sundae before listening to local live music. Attractions here include a corn maze, fun park, and more.
Dykeman Farm
Pawling
Weekends, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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After picking from over 70 varieties of pumpkins, hop on a free hayride to tour the property in the crisp fall air. Autumn-themed decorations on the farm provide the perfect family photo op.
Greig Farm
Red Hook
Daily, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
With apple picking, goat feeding, and even a walkable farm trail, pumpkin picking at Greig Farm is a blast. Stop by the farm market and café for lunch and to pick up local groceries.
Orange County
Apple Ridge Orchards
Warwick
Thursday–Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Beyond the rustic pumpkin patch, stop by the petting zoo to hand-feed friendly animals, and buy fresh-picked produce at the farm stand. Come on October 11 at 5:30 p.m. for an outdoor screening of Spookley the Square Pumpkin.
Pierson’s Farm
Middletown
Monday–Friday, 12–5 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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Turn pumpkin picking into an all-day outing—navigate corn mazes, take a hayride to feed cows, race rubber ducks, mine gems, and kick back to live music after walking the patch. Special events are hosted every weekend until Halloween.
Manza Family Farm
Montgomery
Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
This Montgomery farm hosts fall festivals every year—a family tradition dating back to the 1980s. On the grounds, visitors can explore acres of pumpkin patches. During weekends and holidays, guests can enjoy tractor-drawn hayrides, straw mazes, and refreshments at the farm stand. Kids will love the adorable farm animals.
Lawrence Farms Orchards
Newburgh
Daily, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Lawrence Farms Orchards is managed by a family that has run U-pick orchards for over 30 years, so you can be sure that a visit will be well worth it. This farm is a great option if you want a shorter trip and a fun-filled day. Don’t leave without stopping by the concession stand for cider donuts, pies, milkshakes, frozen cider, and more.
Wright Family Farm
Warwick
Weekends, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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With a massive patch and a hayride to help you get there, Wright Family Farm is the place to go if you need plenty of options to find that perfect pumpkin. Admission for the farm, barnyard, and maze runs $15 before tax and can be purchased online in advance. Keep an eye out for themed weekends throughout the autumn season for additional entertainment.
Rensselaer County
Kristy’s Barn
Schodack
Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Kristy’s Barn is a green farm dedicated to the community and its love of farming. U-pick is the biggest feature, since the pumpkins are self-described “perfection.” A petting paddock, apple picking, fresh cider, and a straw maze are also available for visitor entertainment.
Liberty Ridge Farm
Schaghticoke
Thursday–Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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Liberty Ridge Farm is in the middle of everything in the Capital Region; it’s just 15 minutes from Clifton Park, 20 minutes from Saratoga Springs, and 30 minutes from Albany. Have the whole family pick a pumpkin, then visit the many other attractions, such as the 11-acre corn maze, farm animals, trolley rides, paintball, pumpkin cannons, and maize museum.
Rockland County
The Orchards of Concklin
Pomona
Daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Head to the oldest working farm in Rockland County for fresh pumpkins straight from the patch. The farm grows a variety of apples for its seasonal U-pick experiences and whips up fresh pies and quiches daily to enjoy on the ride home.
Ulster County
DuBois Farms
Highland
Daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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Dubois Farm began as a 54-acre farm to save the small farming industry. Now at 69 acres, the farm brings “a piece of Olde New England to the Hudson Valley” through its architectural style of buildings and animal pens. There is also a farm market and café, along with a tavern stocked with local wines, hard ciders, and craft beers.
Hurd’s Family Farm
Modena
Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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Hurd’s Family Farm is the perfect picture of “agritainment.” Families that visit can pick pumpkins of varying sizes and prices. Then, they can partake in the other activities on the farm, such as a playground area, train ride, mini-zipline ride, and corn maze. When hunger strikes, stop by the barn cafe for a farm-to-table meal.
Kelder’s Farm
Kerhonkson
Thursday–Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Look forward to hours of family fun at Kelder’s. Visit the petting farm, bounce on a jack-o-lantern-shaped jumping pad, cast off at the fishing pond, hit the links at the 14-hole mini golf course, fire the pumpkin cannon, and test your skills in a corn maze.
Jenkins-Lueken Orchard
New Paltz
Sunday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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Jenkins-Lueken Orchard is best for people looking for the essentials. Choose your pumpkin from a range of shapes and sizes and visit the farm stand to check out the farm’s produce, bakery, cider, and special brand of artisanal hard cider.
Wallkill View Farm
New Paltz
Daily, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Test your luck navigating a three-acre corn maze and treat yourself to an apple cider donut at the end. After walking the patch, the adults can compete in lawn games while the kids hit the pumpkin-shaped bounce house.
Westchester County
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard
North Salem
Daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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For all of October, Harvest Moon celebrates the season with its Fall Festival event, which features live music, apple picking, cider donuts, Hardscrabble Cider, the pumpkin patch, hayrides, and more at the Westchester destination. Pick the perfect gourd and bring it home to carve after a fun day at the farm.
Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm
Yorktown Heights
Wednesday–Monday, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
If you’re in search of a leisurely pumpkin picking experience that still has activities, head to Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm. Pick your pumpkin and traverse the corn maze before stopping by the bakery, which also stocks lunch foods, followed by the apple farm market and the country gift market. Those 21 and up should go to the farm’s White Hill Vineyard for tastings of the Wilkens’ house-made wine.
Outhouse Orchards
North Salem
Daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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Outhouse Orchards is a family-owned operation that stretches back to the early 1800s, when the farm primarily produced dairy. Starting in the early 20th century, the Outhouse family began to grow fruit commercially. Nowadays, families can pick apples, pears, and pumpkins at the extensive pumpkin patch.
Bonus:
Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
Croton-on-Hudson
Daily in October
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As the sun sets, feast your eyes on 7,000 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns throughout the grounds of Van Cortlandt Manor. New this year: a VIP experience at the Gourd & Goblet Tavern and a birthday cake pumpkin display to commemorate 20 years of the Blaze.
Related: 6 Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Hudson Valley Apples
