Summer’s hot weather and sweltering heat have finally arrived, and if you’re looking for a refreshing way to keep the kids entertained, go fruit picking! It’s the perfect season for fresh, juicy fruits. Not only is it a healthy snacking option for the kids, but it’s also fun way to keep them active. Here are seven places to go fruiting picking near NYC.
Lewin Farms
Located on Long Island, this is the perfect day trip to go on a berry picking adventure. They were the first pick-your-own farm on Long Island and offer pick-your-own produce from May until late October. Pick fresh and locally grown fruit such as raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and peaches, which are all in season right now. Located at 812 Sound Island. lewinfarm.com
Patty’s Berries and Bunches
Also located on Long Island, they grow over 24 different varieties of berries from raspberries and blueberries and more. They also offer ice cream, ice coffee, and baked goods for the exhausted, hungry berry pickers after hours in the sun. Pick-your-own fruits is open from June to August. Blueberries are in season from July to August, blackberries in August, and raspberries from July to September. Admission is $6 and includes one container of berries. Located at 410 Sound Ave. Mattituck, NY. pattysberriesandbunches.com
Wickham’s Fruit Farm
Further east on Long Island in Cutchogue is Wickham’s Fruit Farm. They have been around for quite a long time and are a bicentennial farm. Peaches are their main summer crop, but they also grow apricots, apples, and plums for fruit pickers to pick. For the ripest fruit, blueberries and blackberries are in season now with peaches ripening in August. They also sell produce, cheeses, preserves, and freshly made donuts in their shop. Located at 28700 Main Road, Cutchogue, NY. wickhamsfruitfarm.com
Alstede Farms
About an hour away across the border in New Jersey, you can pick some of the freshest blueberries and raspberries during the summer. You don’t need a car to reach Alstede Farms if you use New Jersey Transit. In addition, they have entertainment such as pony rides, hay rides, bounce houses, and more. Pick-your-own admission starts at $5.99 on the weekdays and $6.99 on the weekends. Additional activities require tickets. Located at 191 W. Main St. Chester, NJ. alstedefarms.com
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Demarest Farms
Their peach picking season begins just in time as the weather reaches higher and higher temps. Their peach orchards opens July 15 this year. Choose from over 12 varieties of plump, juicy peaches. There is also a petting zoo and farm store to pick up some local, fresh produce. After picking some fruit, you can stop in at their store, which features a salad bar, bakery, delicatessen, ice cream parlor, and more. During the summer, they hold weekly BBQ dinners on Thursdays. Admission is $5 for ages 2 and up and includes free parking, access to the peach orchard, hay wagon ride, and petting zoo. Located at 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale, NJ. demarestfarms.com
Sussex County Strawberry Farm
While most strawberry seasons are closed for the summer, strawberries are still in season in Sussex County, about an hour away from Midtown Manhattan. Although they’re called a strawberry farm, they also have raspberry picking in late August and pumpkin picking during the fall. They have rhubarb for sale and recommend pairing that with the freshly picked strawberries for a delicious strawberry rhubarb pie. For plant lovers, they have a greenhouse with a wide variety of plants for sale. They sell vegetables and herbs as well as mulch and fertilizers. Located at 565 Route 206 North, Andover, NJ. sussexcountystrawberryfarm.com
Ochs Orchard
Ochs Orchard’s pick-your-own season is open through October. From raspberries to peaches in the summer and tomatoes and pumpkins in the fall, they feature various summer fruit as well as veggies into the cooler months. They also have a petting zoo for the kids to meet the farm animals. Make it a fun day outdoors and pack a picnic lunch to eat while you pick. They offer homemade ice cream during the summer months and also have a pick-your-own flower garden. Located at 4 Ochs Lane, Warwick, NY. ochsorchard.net
