Apples, Pumpkins, Corn Mazes and More! Pick-Your-Own Fall Activities from Massachusetts to Metro D.C.

By Grace Cassidy

Fall is in full swing across the northeastern U.S., with crisp temperatures, crunchy leaves and creepy, crawly fun! If you’re looking for fun fall activities, from pick-your-own fruit farms to haunted hayrides, we’ve rounded up a host of ideas and recommendations for things to do in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Metro D.C.

Westchester and Hudson Valley, N.Y.

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard, 130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY

Harvest Moon is a local favorite for apple picking, pumpkins, fresh-baked pies, apple cider donuts and much more. They also have a great farm store where visitors can purchase a wide range of locally grown organic produce, dairy products,and meats. Apple picking is open through the month of September and into October.

Stuart’s Fruit Farm, 62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs, NY

Family-owned and operated since 1828, Stuart’s Fruit Farm is a piece of local Westchester County history, offering a variety of activities throughout the year. This fall, consider heading to Stuart’s for incredible rows of apple trees, ready for the picking. While you’re there, hop on a hayride, stop by the bakery and enjoy a picnic on the picturesque farm grounds.

Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction, NY

Fishkill Farms in Hopewell Junction is host to a wide range of apples for visitors to pick and enjoy, from the classic Fuji, Honeycrisp and Gala to Red Jonagold, Spartan, and Pixie Crunch. The farm also offers pear-picking, pumpkins, herbs, flowers and other fresh produce. Reservations are required, so don’t forget to plan ahead.

Wilkens Fruit Farm, White Hill Road, Yorktown Heights, NY

Wilkens Fruit Farm is open to the public from the end of August all through December, offering time to pick your own apples, peaches and pumpkins from 10 am until 4:30 pm every day (closed Tuesdays). They also have a corn maze, a market, winery and bakery stocked with apple cider donuts. Check out their full calendar for more information on available activities this fall.

The Hamptons and North Fork, N.Y.

Hank’s Pumpkintown, 240 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, NY

Fall in the Hamptons would not be complete without a visit to Hank’s for apple and pumpkin picking! Situated conveniently on Montauk Highway, Hank’s Pumpkintown is a local favorite and a perfect place to bring the kids on the weekend for a wagon ride, roam around the corn maze, games, and to enjoy the playgrounds. Hank’s is also host to an onsite market, stocked with fresh-baked pies, cookies, cupcakes, apple cider donuts and more.

Harbes Family Farm, locations in Mattituck, Riverhead, and Jamesport, NY

Harbes Family Farm has something for everyone at its numerous locations across the North Fork. Enjoy apple picking, hot and cold apple cider, candy apples, apple cider donuts, a sunflower maze, hayrides and lots of games that kids will love. (For the brave, the Spooky Night Maze is a must!) For apple lovers, Harbes’s 27 different apple varieties ripen throughout the season, so there’s always something freshly grown.

Milk Pail U-Pick Farms, 1346 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, NY

Established in the 1640s by the Halsey family, Milk Pail is a local mainstay and offers fresh produce and other goods throughout the year. The fall is the perfect time to visit, with the ability to pick your own apples, pumpkins, gourds and squash. Stop by the market for delicious baked goods, nut butters, flowers, herbs, local honey, eggs and more.

Wickham’s Fruit Farm, 28700 Main Road, Cutchogue, NY

This North Fork farm has been around since 1661 and spans over 300 acres in size. Two-thirds of the farm is dedicated to fruit, offering apples, pumpkins, peaches, berries and cherries for visitors to pick straight from the tree or vine. The retail farm stand offers additional produce, cheese, pies, preserves and fresh-baked goods including donuts.

Massachusetts

Tougas Family Farm, 234 Ball Street, Northborough, Mass.

Situated about 40 miles outside of Boston, Tougas Family Farm in Northborough is a great place to enjoy a weekend of apple and pumpkin picking with loved ones. Pick-your-own apples and pumpkins are available through the end of October. After you return with a bushel of delicious fresh fruit, consider popping into the market for fresh-baked donuts, pies, preserves, local honey and even homemade hot sauce!

Brooksby Farm, 54 Felton Street, Peabody, Mass.

Brooksby Farm is open year-round with seasonal events to enjoy any time, and fall is the ideal time for classic activities such as wagon rides and picking your own apples and pumpkins. The farm store offers locally sourced products, including pies, jams, spices and delicious apple cider donuts.

Lookout Farm, 89 Pleasant Street, South Natick, Mass.

Established in 1931 by the Belkin Family, Lookout Farm is a local favorite with so much to offer. Enjoy fall activities like apple and pear picking, the corn maze, goats and sheep, and barnyard play areas for the kids. Adults will appreciate the onsite restaurant, The Lookout, and the beer garden.

New Jersey

Battleview Orchards, 91 Wemrock Road, Freehold, NJ

Freehold’s Battleview Orchards is the oldest pick-your-own farm in the state and is open for apple and pumpkin picking throughout the season, from 9 am until 4 pm every day of the week, except Tuesdays. When fall winds down and you’re still craving the delicious produce Battleview offers, the country store is open year-round for fruit and veg, fresh baked goods and more.

Terhune Orchards, 13 Van Kirk Road, Princeton, NJ

Terhune Orchards is the perfect place to go apple, pumpkin, and flower picking in Princeton! There are numerous apple varieties to choose from throughout the growing season, including Gala, Honeycrisp, and Red Delicious. The farm is also host to a winery and a store with fresh produce, apple cider donuts and other local goodies.

Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale, NJ

Demarest Farms has all the best fall activities in Hillsdale! You can stop by to pick your own apples, pumpkins and peaches, and enjoy the onsite petting zoo before noshing on apple cider donuts from the farm market. Don’t forget to book your reservation.

Johnson’s Corner Farm, 133 Church Road, Medford, NJ

Fall activities at Johnson’s Corner Farm are endless at this iconic local spot, from live music and sunflower picking to corn mazes and the barnyard animal farm. Hop on a hayride out to the apple and pumpkin fields to pick your own produce, choosing from 10 varieties of delicious apples grown onsite.

Metro D.C.

Homestead Farm, 15604 Sugarland Road, Poolesville, MD

Located 25 miles outside of Washington D.C., Homestead Farm is owned and operated by the Allnut Family, offering pick-your-own apples and pumpkins throughout the fall season. The market is a great place to supplement your pick, complete with local preserves and honey, flowers, cider and additional produce to bring home.