Did you know that despite crab apples being the only apple native to North America, over 2,500 varieties of apples are grown in the US? That means that there is an apple out there for everyone! Whether you eat your apple right from the tree or enjoy the cider and donuts back at the farmhouse, apple picking is fun for the whole family! Check out these apple orchards and farms near you:
SARATOGA SPRINGS
Family Friendly
Bowman Orchards has been open since 1952! The current owners, Kevin and Martha Bowman, bought it from Kevin’s parents in 2004. Their children and family also care for the orchard. In addition to apple picking, there are pony rides, a playground, apple cannons, and many more fun attractions for the kids! Check out its website to see all the orchard has to offer.
Saratoga Apple – Schuylerville
Saratoga Apple is open year-round for your apple needs! Visit the farm early to see the apples go from beautiful blossoms in August to sweet and juicy apples later in the fall! Follow the farm’s Facebook to get updates on the types of apples available to pick and events happening in the taproom.
Homemade Hard Cider
DeVoe’s Rainbow Orchards – Halfmoon
Apples, cider, and ice cream? Oh my! DeVoe’s is a family-owned orchard and country store in Halfmoon, NY. It has fields of apples and vegetables to pick from, plus a general store! Shop inside the store or enjoy a meal and dessert at the ice cream shop after a long day of apple picking.
Sand Flats Orchard & Greenhouse – Fonda
Farmer Jim Hoffman and his wife, Meg, run the orchard with their son Mitch and daughter-in-law Emily. Their first harvest was in 1996, and since then, they’ve nurtured the farm and taken on projects to make the orchard what it is today! With a snack barn, cider house, greenhouse, and orchard, Sand Flats is worth the visit!
Hick’s Orchard is the oldest apple orchard in the region! After an afternoon of apple picking, stop by the farm to feed the goats while you wait in line for homemade donuts and cider. The country store has everything from meal prep kits and jams to BBQ sauces and syrups. Don’t forget to stop by the 1935 tasting room, Sylboro Ciderhouse, to taste its homemade hard cider!
ROME
Family Friendly
North Star Orchards began when the Joseph family opened a roadside stand selling apples from their newly planted orchard. It now has an in-house bakery, greenhouses, and a cider press! Pick Your Own Apples begins in mid-September, is ¼ miles from the parking area, and is only accessible by walking. Check out the orchard’s website for details.
Honey Hill Orchard – Chittenango
What Hawken Askelson thought would be a hobby quickly grew into a family business that has lasted for generations. Since the orchard is a working farm, no pets are allowed except service animals, and it is smoke and alcohol-free. In addition to apple picking, Honey Hill has a bakery and food trucks on the weekends! Check out its fall schedule for more information.
What sets Adams Acres apart from other orchards is that it’s a NOFA Certified Organic Grower, and its apples are organically grown on disease-resistant soil. This ensures that you get the best-tasting apples while maintaining a sustainable way to farm! It’s open for business on September 2nd from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends throughout the season.
Homemade Hard Cider
Windy Hill Orchard – Cassville
A relatively new orchard bought by the Seebergers in 2015, the family has created a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. Opening September 6th, guests can enjoy the outdoors, relax by the fire pit, or explore the free corn maze! The orchard also hosts a Windy Hill Fall Family Day, a free event for families with food trucks, treats, and free wagon rides! Just make sure to bring a chair!
Only 30 minutes from the Syracuse area, Critz Farms offers a variety of crops to pick from—apples, pumpkins, gourds, hops, barley, and Christmas trees in the winter! The farm also offers farm-fresh products, such as apple cider, handcrafted cider, craft beer, and New York cheddar cheese! The apple season starts mid-September and carries on until mid-October. Check out its website for a master guide to picking the perfect apple for your needs!