Come autumn, the Hudson Valley is known for a few distinct things; picturesque foliage and stunning views of mountains draped in red, orange and golden hues, quaint small town hamlets perfect for exploring after hikes and APPLES! Our hills are dotted with these bright red and green delicacies and people travel from near and far to pluck them straight from the trees, at their absolute freshest. As if the sheer number of people traveling to our area, by the busload most weekends, isn't enough indication that the Hudson Valley has some of the best fall produce available, the number of craft cideries opening up and moving to the area is another indicator that it doesn't get any better than apple season in the valley! Angry Orchard, a popular nationwide brand of hard cider, set up shop a few years ago off Albany Post Road in Walden to take advantage of some of the best apple trees for their Innovation Cider House, and Bad Seed Hard Cider also recently opened up a Tap Room in Highland, NY and will soon be expanding and opening a second Tap Room in Brooklyn. People just cant get enough of Hudson Valley apples, no matter their form! If you're looking for things to do in the Hudson Valley this fall, just follow the orchards!
The best way to attain apples is straight from the orchard, direct off the tree! Many Hudson Valley and Ulster County orchards welcome you to do just that- and stay and make a day of it enjoying the farm, offering activities for the kids, yummy food to eat and homemade ciders to taste, locally made jams, preserves and bakery items to take home or pick up as gifts and more. Most U-Pick orchards offer another Hudson Valley farm favorite and autumn food group staple- Apple Cider Donuts; a must try for anyone visiting the area (might we suggest creating your own Apple Cider Donut trail and stopping at multiple stands to find the area’s best?)
Good to note: If you're looking to walk away with bushels of your favorite variety of apple, its best to check farm websites or call ahead to see what variety of apples or other produce is ripe and available for picking, before your farm arrival, and also to see if any special farm events are planned to further your weekend fun!
Don't let fall pass you by without visiting some, or all, of these great U-Pick Orchards around Ulster County!
Apple Bin Farm Market
810 Broadway, Ulster Park, NY 12487
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Seasonal apple picking for individuals and small to medium sized groups
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Also offer other homegrown produce for purchase, ciders, cider donuts, pastries, daily lunch and breakfast sandwiches and other items in their market and country store.
Dressel Farms
271 State Route 208, New Paltz, NY
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Pick your own apples (weekends only)
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Roadstand with home grown produce and homemade pressed apple cider and cider donuts and Kettleborough Hard Cider (NOTE: Ice Cream Stand adjacent to farm market now closed for the season, so ice cream and other snacks not available this PYO season)
Dubois Farms
209 Perkinsville Road, Highland, NY
http://duboisfarms.com/-
Pick your own apples, pumpkins, gourds, grapes, pears, tomatoes and other vegetables and fruits, depending on farm availability and season!
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Farm Market and Cafe, with bakery, apple cider donuts, outdoor picnic areas and more for purchase to bring home or picnic on the farm
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Weekend barbeques and other special events
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2 acre corn maze, wagon rides, farm animal visits and children’s fun village
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Tavern at Dubois Farms serves up local hard ciders, craft beer and wines
Hurds Family Farm
2187 Route 32, Modena, NY
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Pick your own apples, pumpkins and veggies
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Lots of fun things to do for kids, including 2 acre corn maze, Big Apple Bounce air pillow, Cow Train and Hayrides, giant slide on sand mountain, farm animal petting area, Rubber Duck Derby, and pony rides (select availability)
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Big Apple Cafe with baked goods, cider donuts and other local local products
Jenkins-Lueken Orchards
69 Yankee Folly Road, New Paltz, NY
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Pick your own apples, pumpkins and berries
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Farm market featuring all homegrown fruits, vegetables and other produce, pressed apple cider and their own hard cider- Yankee Folly Cidery, as well as bakery items, caramel apples, apple cider donuts, fresh flowers, grass fed beef, milks, cheeses and more.
Kelder's Farm
5755 Route 209, Kerhonkson, NY
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Pick your own apples, seasonal fruits and vegetables, pumpkins and flowers
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Lots of activities for families and large groups, including jumping pillow, petting farm, hayrides, corn maze, Kelder Express & Caboose childrens playground, milking cows (for groups/special events) and even Homegrown Mini-Golf (for parties)
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Farm market filled with produce, Kelder’s own grass-fed beef and all natural chicken, eggs, cheese and other local jams, honeys, butters and more.
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World’s Largest Garden Gnome, by Guinness Book of World Records stands tall out front for photos.
Minard Farms
250 Hurds Road, Clintondale, NY
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Pick your own apples and pumpkins
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Farm market offering other homegrown vegetables and fruits, as well as other locally made products and apple cider donuts, baked goods and more
- Activities for kids including bounce pillow, apple slingshots, corn maze, 'Apple Express' rides, hayride farm tours and more
Stone Ridge Orchard
3012 Route 213, Stone Ridge, NY
http://www.stoneridgeorchard.us/
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Pick your own apples, raspberries and pumpkins
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More fruits, including cherries, pears and other small fruits and their own homemade pressed apple cider available at their farm market
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Dog friendly orchards for pick your own!
Tantillo's Farm Market
730 Route 208, Gardiner, NY
http://www.tantillosfarm.com/home.html
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Pick your own apples, pumpkins, cherries, tomatoes, eggplants and peppers, with wagon rides to and from the orchard (and you can bring your leashed pets and picnic supplies!)
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Farm market offering picked fruits and vegetables, local jams, jellies, pies, bakery products and the best apple cider donuts (2015 winner of Hudson Valley Magazine’s Best Of)
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Hard and soft serve ice cream and other snacks at Ice Cream Stand
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Playground for children, outdoor covered and open seating for picnicking and giant jenga
Twin Star Orchards
155 N. Ohioville Road, New Paltz, NY
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Pick your own apples (in dog friendly orchards, so furry friends can come too!)
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Farm market featuring their homegrown apples and other farm fresh produce and their own Brooklyn Cider House hard ciders (hard cider tastings available too!)
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Pavilion with wood-fired pizza and gourmet burgers with many weekend events and live music held there throughout the summer and fall
Wilklow Orchards
341 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland NY
http://www.wilkloworchards.com
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Pick your own apples and pumpkins
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Farm market with homemade pressed cider, hot apple cider donuts, bakery goods, muffins, pies and other farm grown vegetables and fruits, corn grown from New Paltz’s Wallkill View Farms and Bad Seed Hard Cider (made with Wilklow Orchard apples)
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Lots of activities for kids including a hay jump, petting zoo and Greenhouse of Fun, that includes blowup fun houses, tunnels and more.
Wright's Farm
699 Route 208, Gardiner, NY
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Pick your own apples and cherries
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Large farm market with other homegrown vegetables, fruits, homemade jams, preserves, flower, plants and more
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Bakery serving up hot pies, apple cider donuts, bbq lunches and more
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