New York is the second-largest apple-producing state in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with tens of thousands of acres devoted to apple production across the Empire State.
New York produces millions of bushels of apples annually, and many orchards offer visitors the chance to buy pre-picked apples or pick their own straight from the tree.
Some orchards offer more than a traditional U-pick experience to attract visitors, with family-friendly activities including wagon rides, yard games, playgrounds, fresh-baked goods and other social media-worthy fall treats.
Here are four favorite apple-picking spots across New York, all of which offer additional activities:
Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards
This family-owned and operated orchard in Lafayette, Onondaga
County, has repeatedly been selected by USA TODAY readers as the top orchard in the nation, most recently topping the list in 2024.
The orchard also operates a distillery, tasting room and tavern, bakery, general store and kids' area with a variety of activities. It regularly hosts concerts as part of its popular summer concert series at the 1911 Tasting Room.
Beak & Skiff is open daily. Pick-your-own requires a wagon ride to the orchard, which runs daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Apple Ridge Orchards
Located in Warwick, Orange County, this family-run orchard is roughly an hour northwest of New York City.
In addition to its U-pick orchard, the farm offers wagon rides, a petting zoo where visitors can feed farm animals, and plenty of apple cider and cider doughnuts.
Visitors also can check out the honeybee observation hive or head to the pumpkin patch to pick their own pumpkin.
The orchard is open Thursdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through late October.
Wickham Farms
Located in Penfield, Monroe County, Wickham Farms offers U-pick apples from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except Wednesdays, through Nov. 1.
Wagon rides to and from the farm's five-acre orchard are offered daily. The farm also serves doughnuts, cider, cold brew coffee, hard cider and other treats. Visitors can also pick flowers and create bouquets for an additional fee.
The family-operated farm has a barnyard play area with a variety of activities. Admission to the play area is separate.
Indian Ladder Farms
Located in Altamont, Albany County, Indian Ladder Farms offers pick-your-own apples daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The farm also has a cidery and brewery, with a tasting room and biergarten, and sells doughnuts and other baked treats on site.
Originally a dairy farm that later transformed into a working orchard, the 325-acre property has roughly 60 acres that produce more than 40 varieties of apples.
Indian Ladder also has 2.5 miles of nature trails, along with farm animals including goats, sheep, chickens and turkeys. Seasonal hayrides are offered on some fall weekends.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Where to find the best apple picking in New York
