Update: check with these orchards to make sure they haven’t been picked clean!
Hard core fans of apple cider, apple pie and simply biting into fresh-grown apples are getting their bushels ready for the dawn of autumn—harvest season, when apples are ripe for picking at East End farms.
With the return of apple picking on Long Island comes not only glorious memories made spending times with loves ones in local enchanted orchards, but also the delicious perks. Aside from hayrides, farm stands at these orchards offer fresh-baked homemade pies and apple cider, among other items. One of the 10 locations for apple picking on Long Island we compiled in the list below even has hard cider—making them LI’s lone cidery.
Do not miss out on the juicy opportunity to go apple picking on Long Island this fall!
DAVIS PEACH FARM
Hulse Landing Road, Wading River. 631-929-1115. davispeachfarm.com This farm has been in the business of growing fruity deliciousness for more than a century. As the name suggests, they peaches are their specialty, but they also have more than 20 varieties of apples. They are also known for having one-of-a-kind Sangria mix, fresh pies, live animals and a haunted hayride-designated for the Halloween season. It is also the westernmost place to go apple picking on Long Island. Call for hours, prices and to check apple availability.
FORT SALONGA FARM
30 Meadow Glen Rd., Northport. 631-269-9666. fortsalongafarm.com Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The unique dwarf design of this orchard allows children to be able to reach the top of the trees without much help from mom and dad. Varieties they grew last year include Paula Red, Gala, Sweet Sixteen, McIntosh, Jonagold, Red Delicious, Mutsu, Golden Delicious and Fuji. Also, try this orchard’s fresh honey! Call for hours, prices and to check apple availability.
HARBES FAMILY FARM AND ORCHARD
5698 Sound Ave., Riverhead. 631-298-0800 or 631-298-0700. harbesfamilyfarm.com/farm-orchard Saturday- Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. $8 per person. Known for having more than eight different types of apples, Harbes Family Farm and Orchard has a unique kid-friendly design, which enables all ages to be able to pick the ripest apple of their choice off of a tree. Visitors can also pick a wide assortment of pumpkins. This orchard also offers day and night corn mazes, delicious fall snacks and scenic views.
LEWIN FARMS
Sound Avenue, Baiting Hollow. 631-929-4327. lewinfarm.com 9 a.m-4 p.m. daily. Having more than a dozen apple varieties, this 1,100-acre family owned and operated farm orchards stands out from the rest. Pick-your-own peaches, eggplant, pumpkins and tomatoes are also available this fall. Call for prices and to confirm apple availability.
MILK PAIL FARM & ORCHARD
1346 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill. 631-537-2565. milk-pail.com 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday. $43 per 20-pound bag. This truly unique orchard has McIntosh, Jonamac, Sansa and Zestar apples available for picking as of Labor Day. They also have pumpkin picking. Their fresh market is also not to be missed, selling fresh cider, baked goods, maple syrup, honey, nut butters and much more.
SEVEN PONDS ORCHARD
Seven Ponds Road, Water Mill. 631-726-8015. Facebook.com/pages/Seven-Ponds-Orchard 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Sunday. The apples were ripe for the picking as of late August at this South Fork orchard. Fun for the whole family includes corn mazes, hayrides, pies, candy apples and a farmer’s market. Call for prices.
THE APPLE ORCHARD @ HANK’S PUMPKINTOWN
240 Montauk Hwy, Water Mill. 631-726-4667. hankspumpkintown.com 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday. $20 per 10-pound bag, limited to four people per bag. As the name suggests, this orchard has a wide variety of foods and activities, including cider, wagon rides, corn mazes, donuts, pies, candy apples, roasted corn and more. Apples for the picking include Gala, McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Cortland, Macoun, Empire, Snow Sweet, Jonagold, Suncrisp and Mutsu, with varying ripening times.
WICKHAM’S FRUIT FARM
28700 Main Rd., Cutchogue. 631-734-6441. wickhamsfruitfarm.com 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Saturday. Closed Sunday. With roots dating back to 1661, this 300-acre farm bills itself as being home to the oldest continually cultivated land in the nation. Their farm stand also has apples, donuts, cheeses, and all sorts of seasonal treats to purchase. Call for prices.
WINDY ACRES FARM
3810 Middle Country Rd., Calverton. 631-727-4554. Facebook.com/pages/Windy-Acres-Farm 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday- Sunday. Aside from apples, this family owned farm run by fourth-generation farmers also has pick-your-own pumpkins. That’s in addition to a variety of other freshly grown produce for sale at their market. Call for prices.
WOODSIDE ORCHARDS 729 Main Rd., Aquebogue. 631-722-5770. woodsideorchards.com Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily starting mid-September. This family run orchard, which grows more than 20 varieties of apples, has become known for their amazing apple pies and pick-your-own pumpkins. But, what really sets them apart from the rest of the apple orchards on LI is their hard cider. They’re the only hard cidery on the Island, offering styles such as cinnamon, ginger, raspberry—and, of course, traditional, all of which can be mixed and matched. Call for prices.
