Once upon a time, a young Sir Isaac Newton was sitting under an apple tree when an apple fell off of a branch and hit him on the head, and presto, the theory of gravity was born. Unfortunately, when an apple falls on mama’s head, all we end up with is a big bump or possible concussion. But we do have our own theory:
Kids + hayride +eating fruit off the tree = fun.
No, it’s not quite physics, but call it mother’s intuition.
So put on your jeans and plaid shirts and grab your family, young and old, for a day of Apple Picking in Bergen County NJ, pressing, hayriding and good ol’ fall fun.
Here are some of our area’s best:
Near and Dear
Demarest Farms
Apple picking season is in full swing at Demarest Farm. Take a hay ride up to the apple trees and pick your own. Gala, Macs, Fuji and Rome, pick one or pick all. Pumpkins will be ripe and ready on September 21st. We love the fresh cider and donuts baked on the premises.
Open 7 days a week 8am-7pm
244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale
201-666-0472
Just a Hop, Skip and Jump away
Dr Davies
With over 4,000 trees on 35 acres, located on Lake Deforest, you can literally get lost while meandering in the orchard. Grab a picking pole and get busy. The farm also offers trailer rides for pumpkin picking with a beautiful scenic backdrop and has a small roadside market for vegetables and baked goods. Don’t forget your camera!
Open 7 days a week from 10am-4:30pm
306 Route 304, Congers, NY
845-268-7020
The Orchards of Concklin
Focused on their natural setting, the Concklin Family Farm “gently reminds” visitors to treat the trees well: no beating, shaking or climbing. After all, these veterans may have learned something since they bought the place in the 1700s. In addition to their wide variety of apples available for picking, the farm has a mini corn maze, a blow up haunted house and giant slide so your tots can bounce around while you hit the market for fresh produce and yummy fresh baked award winning apple cider donuts. Pumpkin picking starts late September.
Open Saturday and Sunday only 10am-5pm
Rte 45 & South Mountain Rd, Pomona, NY
(845) 354-0369
Day Trip It
Alstede Farms
The GIANT corn maze and pick your own are in full swing over at Alstede. Plus Pony Rides, Moonbounce, Wagon Train Rides and the Corn Kingdom- just for the kiddos. Located approximately 50 minutes away in Morris County, NJ, it’s an easy day with tons to do. Insider tip: Check the calendar for special weekend Family Fun Days.
Open 7 days a week (check website for specific times)
1 Chesterfield Dr., Chester, NJ
(908) 879-7189
Silverman’s Farm
If you are serious about your fall harvest and you want to make a day of it, Silverman’s Farm has everything you are looking for. Located 60 miles away, in Easton, Connecticut, it’s worth the trip. With everything from dozens of types of apple trees to a huge market and pumpkin patch, plan to spend at least a few hours. The property also boasts a large animal farm complete with llamas, sheep, goats and donkeys for those who like to pet and feed our furry friends.
Open 7 days a week from 9am-5:30pm
451 Sport Hill Road, Easton, CT
203-261-3306
Hurds Family Farm
Owned by the Hurd family for over 100 years, this 120-acre farm in Modena, NY, specializes in giving visitors a real Fall Harvest experience. Apple picking well into October, Pumpkin Picking, hayrides, corn maze, critters and a Kiddie Coral make this Upstate New York Farm a go-to spot for Family Fun.
Open Monday - Friday 9am-5pm
Weekends 10am-6pm
2187 Route 32, Modena, NY
Phone: 845.883.7825
Outhouse Orchards
Go early when you visit this large working farm in North Salem, New York to avoid the crowds. After driving a little over an hour, we hit the apple picking first and then let the kids ride the ponies, hop on a hay ride and jump around the bouncy castle. We finished off with fresh cider and a piece of pie, while some bluegrass played in the background.
Open 7 days a week from 10am-5pm
130 Hard Scrabble Road, North Salem, NY
914-277-3188
And there’s more- everybody is out in New Jersey enjoying the fun.
Now how bout them apples?
