There’s nothing quite like being outside in the cool autumn air. This autumn, you have lots of festive outdoor activities to choose from, and pumpkin picking is a favorite. Whether you’re making a seasonal pumpkin dish or carving jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins are a fall-time essential.
In a bid to help you know where to have fun while picking a pumpkin, we’ve compiled a list of the best pumpkin patches in New York City.
Harvest Moon and Orchard
Midtown Manhattan is approximately one hour away from Harvest Moon Farm. And, be assured, the autumnal paradise is well worth the effort. Visitors may enjoy pumpkin picking, hayrides, live music, and more from mid-September until the end of October.
By vehicle, going to the farm takes around an hour and ten minutes (52 miles) from New York City.
Also, taking the Metro-North Harlem line from Grand Central to Croton Falls station is another alternative. You can take a cab from the station making the total journey duration two hours and twenty minutes.
Demarest Farms
This farm is well-known for its pumpkin patches as well as its petting zoo. Demarest boasts a spooky hayride and a lost graveyard tucked among the apple orchards for those who enjoy the creepier side of fall. It’s a Halloween fan’s nightmare come true!
By vehicle, it takes around 55 minutes from New York City.
F&W Schmitt’s Family Farm
If you’re not seeking an utterly terrifying experience, it’s open for daylight walkthroughs. The farm offers a more family-friendly option as you and the kids can participate in the annual Fall Festival. There are free hayrides, a giant corn maze, farm animals, pony rides, and mini-golf.
By road, it takes around 1 hour and 35 minutes from New York City.
Elwood Pumpkin Farm
If you’re looking for a fun pumpkin picking experience, look no further, as Elwood Pumpkin Farm might be the ideal location.
You may search for the ideal gourds and squash with your cart around the fields, enjoying the actual sensation of cutting pumpkins directly off the vine.
By driving, it takes around 1 hour and 50 minutes from New York City.
Outhouse Orchards
Come for the pumpkins and vegetables, but stay for the sunflower fields. In addition to their immaculate vine-free pumpkins, Outhouse Orchards, operating since the 1800s, provides pickable apples, pears, and peaches.
Donuts, flowers, maple syrup, cider, and other treats are available at the farm stand as well as corn maze and hayrides are also available.
It takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes (52 miles) from New York City by road.
Taking the Metro-North Harlem line from Grand Central to Croton Falls station is another alternative as you can reach the orchards from Croton Falls Station by taking a cab for about 2.1 miles.
Secor Farms
At Secor Farms, you and your family can take a hayride through the countryside, passing past ponds, willow trees, and fall decorations, or spread out a blanket and enjoy a family picnic on the grass.
You can choose from an extensive assortment of pumpkins or a bundle of brightly colored mums, then peruse their Halloween décor for sale.
By road, it takes around an hour from New York City.
Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm
Plan a trip to this farm for pumpkin and apple picking, which has been open for over 100 years. Have a freshly baked cider doughnut while navigating the complicated corn maze and scouting the perfect future jack-o-lantern.
By car, it takes around an hour from New York City.
Alstede Farms
This u-pick farm in New Jersey, which accepts reservations exclusively, has a lot to offer. Pick your pumpkins, then eat lunch at Alstede’s onsite restaurant, the Hen House.
Before getting in the car, make sure to check out their website for regular updates on what’s available for picking.
By road, it takes around 1 hour and 32 minutes from New York City.