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! We love going to a family-owned farm or farmers market for strawberry picking season. Many of them have hay rides, offer a wide variety of fruits and other fresh berries just a short drive away for New Yorkers. Happy picking!
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Harbes Family Farm is one of the very best options for a family fun filled day. It’s 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 it’s 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!
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. For a strawberry field and raspberry picking seasons, we love this option for the summer season to pick our own produce.
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! The kids particularly love the donuts. It’s a great farm to keep on your list!
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. We’re huge fans of their strawberries!
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. The farm opens Memorial Day weekend!
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, peaches, raspberries, and strawberries! Make sure to book a reservation!
This gorgeous 100 acres farm overlooks the Warwick Valley! 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! The market is open Wednesday-Sundays.
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. I recommend getting the season passes!
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An impressive 7th generational family run farm! Talk about history! Fruit picking available now is focused on strawberries. This month includes cherries, blueberries, plums, peaches, apples and nectarines! They also have their winery/cider house this summer for refreshing adult beverages! Check their website for the schedule.
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! I love that they are open daily!
Johnson’s Corner Farm offers tons of family fun activities for all ages! One thing that stands out about this farm is the hayrides! You’re never too old to go on a hayride. The strawberries are juicy and they are incredibly family friendly there.
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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!
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 tastings.
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**
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