Only have a few hours to get out of the city and get your fall on? Well, I did the research and found a list of farms that offer apple picking and pumpkin patches within 1 hour of NYC! So, book your Zip Car and spend half a day or more experiencing that weird and beautiful thing called nature. Without further ado…here’s the list!

If you know of another apple orchard or pumpkin patch within 1hr of NYC, please comment below!

 Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard – North Salem

130 Hardscrabble Road

914-485-1210

About 50 minutes by car. Also accessible via Metro-North.

Formerly part of Outhouse Orchards, this family-run farm allows visitors to pick their own apples beginning around Labor Day. The farm hosts a fall festival on weekends in September and October at which families can enjoy the pumpkin patch, pony rides, face painting, bouncy houses, and other carnival-like fun in addition to picking armloads of apples. Be sure to grab some homemade doughnuts and cider from the store before you leave. This farm is a cab ride away from the Metro-North Croton Falls station.

Outhouse Orchards – North Salem

139 Hardscrabble Road

914-277-3188

About 50 minutes by car. Also accessible via Metro-North.

Outhouse Orchards (nope, it’s not a joke; it’s named for the family that owns it) dates back to the late 1800s. Its pick-your-own apples season usually starts right after Labor Day, and there are hayrides and a corn maze, too. Note: There is a fee for parking and in past seasons, poison ivy, though it’s clearly marked. No car? No problem. Take Metro-North to the Croton Falls station and catch a cab to the farm.

Fort Salonga Farm – Northport

30 Meadow Glen Road

631-269-9666

About 50 minutes by car.

There are several places to pick your own apples on Long Island, but the majority are in eastern Suffolk County. However, this tiny farm in the western part of the county is much closer to NYC. Fort Salonga has a variety of dwarf apple trees, which means even your littlest pickers should be able to pluck fruit from low-hanging branches. Although you won’t find any additional kids’ activities here, Sunken Meadow State Park is only a few miles away and offers playgrounds, hiking trails, and other family attractions. Fort Salonga has no set hours but the owners are good about updating their voicemail message daily with current info. No car? Take the Long Island Rail Road’s Port Jefferson branch to the Northport station and hail a cab to the farm.

Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm – Yorktown Heights

1335 White Hill Road

914-245-5111

About one hour by car. Also accessible via Metro-North.

An apple picking trip here includes a hayride out to the orchard. There are dozens of varieties and Wilkens is open daily from Saturday, September 3. Check the farm’s schedule to see when your favorites will be ripe. If you’re already planning your holiday season take note: Wilkens offers pumpkin picking beginning around October 1 and cut-your-own Christmas trees starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving. No car? Take Metro-North to the Croton-Harmon or Peekskill stations, and then a 15-minute taxi ride to the farm.

Dr. Davies Farm – Congers

306 Route 304

845-268-7020

About one hour by car.

This historic 35-acre orchard is home to 4,000 trees and opens for daily apple picking on Labor Day. Be prepared to battle school groups during the week. On weekends, families can also enjoy tractor-drawn hayrides. Note: This location accepts cash only.

I hope that you and your friends and family have fun exploring all of the apple picking and pumpkin patches within 1 hour of NYC! Share pics if you can! We love a good hay ride photo…maybe more than we should.

And check out our article on 10 delicious apple recipes for some unique ideas of how to use up all of those apples!