There’s no better way to embrace the magic of fall than by embarking on a delightful apple picking adventure. Apple season begins in late August and lasts until the end of October, with peak picking from September 1 to October 15—perfectly aligned with Chol Hamoed Sukkot this year. And with dozens of orchards nearby, this outdoor excursion is a great choice for those looking to take advantage of the crisp, cool air and beautiful scenery.
Here are some of the places to try:
- Wightman Farms in Morristown, NJ
Founded in 1922, Wightman Farms has been growing an assortment of fruits and vegetables for the area, and offers ticketed entry to the farm that includes hayrides, mazes and of course, pick-your-own apples. Entry fee is $25 per person, which includes all of the fall fair activities, and children 3 and under are free, plus you can take home as many apples you can pick at $3.29 per pound.
Wightman Farms is located at 1111 Mt Kemble Ave, Morristown, NJ and is open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every weekend. More information at https://www.wightmanfarms.com/index.html.
- Demarest Farms in Hillsdale, NJ
Located right in the heart of Bergen County, Demarest Farms is an orchard that offers a variety of pick-your-own options, including pumpkins, peaches and apples. General admission for the orchard is $8 per person, and the whole family can go apple picking for $15 total, which includes a tote bag that can hold up to 12 pounds of apples. Demarest Farms is open for apple picking every weekend in September and the first two weekends in October.
Demarest Farms is located at 244 Wierimus Rd, Hillsdale, NJ. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time on their website at https://demarestfarms.com/.
- Giamarese Farm & Orchards In East Brunswick, NJ
Giamarese Farm offers seasonal harvests throughout the year, including strawberries and peas in the spring, and yes, apples and pumpkins in the fall. No admission pricing is available on the website, but just stop into the farmhouse upon entry to inquire about the pick-your-own prices. The orchard boasts an impressive array of apple varieties, including: Autumn Gala, Blushing Golden, Cameo, Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Jonathan, Macoun, Mollies Delicious, Nittany, Red Delicious, Royal Gala, Stayman Winesap and Suncrisp.
Giamarese Farm & Orchards is located at 155 Fresh Ponds Rd, East Brunswick, NJ and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information at http://www.giamaresefarm.com/fall-harvest-weekends.html.
- Masker Orchards in Warwick, NY
With over 200 acres of orchards, Masker Orchards is a destination for pick-your-own apples in the Hudson Valley area. Admission and parking are completely free, just pay for the apples you wish to take home at $33.95 for a half-bushel. This fall, Masker Orchards is offering a promotion for those visiting on weekdays, with $2 off every bag of apples picked on Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., valid with a coupon available on their website.
Masker Orchards is located at 45 Ball Rd, Warwick NY and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information is available at https://www.maskers.com/dates.html.
- Wilkens Fruit Farm In Yorktown, NY
Wilkens Fruit Farm, which is now nearly 110 years old, offers a variety of pick-your-own options, as well as two onsite farmers markets and winery (albeit non-kosher, unfortunately). Admission to the farm is free, but apple picking is only allowed with a minimum purchase of one bag of apples per two adults, which must be paid upon entry. In late September and early October, Cortland, Macoun and Golden Delicious apples will be available at the orchard.
Wilkens Fruit Farm is located at 1335 White Hill Rd, Yorktown, NY and is open every day except Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More information is available at http://wilkensfarm.com.
