As the leaves in the trees start to change from green to a beautiful array of orange, red, and yellow and the crisp air that greets us every morning forces us to dig out the sweaters and jackets for yet another cold season, the kids can’t help but start talking about all the fun that Fall brings.

And for us nothing kicks-off Fall better than apple and pumpkin picking. The anticipation of all the yummy pies, breads, cookies, and other treats is a great part of it. Many New York City greenmarkets offer a great selection of apples and pumpkins from local New York farms. However, we believe that sometimes the best adventure is had in picking them directly from the farm ourselves. We have been lucky in finding some really special locations that help make a family day-trip to the farm a fun experience.

Last year we discovered Pennings Orchard in Warwick, New York (7 Days A Week 9am – 5pm). A short hour drive out of Manhattan, past the beautiful town of Tuxedo, NY and into the even lovelier town of Warwick. This farm has a lot to offer families with kids of all ages. With a great selection of apples, ranging from McIntosh, Empire, Macoun, Jonagold, and many more, finding the right one for that perfect pie will not be hard.

In addition to apple picking, the farm offers pumpkin picking as well. The Pennings Farm Market is located right on the farm and shoppers can enjoy from the many baked goods, fruits, and vegetables.  And don’t miss out on their apple cider donuts!  On a nice day the kids can spend some time in the outdoor play area or in the petting zoo.

Located 40 minutes from Manhattan, in Dix Hills, NY is Colonial Springs Farm (12PM-5PM Wednesday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM Weekends). This has been a great place for pumpkin picking. There is an admission fee of admission of $2.00 per person (3 and under are free), but there is also a lot to do, such as pony rides ($6.00 per ride) and a play area ($1.00 per ticket, 3 and under free).

The pumpkin patch is a nice size and the kids love walking around picking theirs out. There are also a few other pumpkin patches and apple orchards in the area, signs for which are lined up along the road.

Lastly, in the quaint town of New Paltz, NY there is a low-key farm, good for both pumpkin and apple picking. The Jenkins-Leuken Orchards (Weekdays 9AM – 6PM and Weekends 9AM – 6PM) is located about an hour and a half out of Manhattan. We love to go for a weekend getaway and stop by for their great apple selections and corn-maze fun. The farm’s market is just down the road from the orchards and requires a short drive. It’s a small one, with most of the basics, including my beloved apple-cider donuts.

So pack your sweaters and go on a road trip to the farm this Fall. The many local orchards are now open for business and ready to help you create some great family memories, celebrate some Fall fun, and bake some tasty pies!

Read more of Carol’s travel and food reviews in and out of New York City at The Adventures of a NYC Mama.

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