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Girl Gone Travel

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September 23, 2023

Favorite Apple & Pumpkin Picking Spots in NY & NJ

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‘Tis the season for apple and pumpkin picking! Are you as giddy as we are yet?

I wanted to list all of the orchards and farms that we have discovered over the years, places that have been the most fun, the most kid-friendly, and which have helped to create a beautiful experience for us. Some are in NY, some are in NJ. Except for Pumpkinville in Toano, VA, which we came across on a weekend trip to Colonial Williamsburg (not to be confused with Pumpkinville in Great Valley, NY, which is also a blast!)

Visiting farms is a favorite pastime this time of year for us, and as the kids get older our list continues to grow! We will be adding more to this list, so make sure you bookmark it and keep checking back!

New York

Pennings Orchard, Warwick, NY – A nice drive past Bear Mountain and Tuxedo, NY. The winding roads were lined with trees lowly showing Fall colors of red, orange, and yellow. We arrived in Warwick, NY around mid-afternoon and entered Pennings Orchard shortly after. Tons of apples to choose from, a cute market, and a petting zoo. Fill the bags they give you upon payment to fill with your picks, which never fail to be oh-so-sweet and delicious!  – 169 Route 94, Warwick, NY (845) 986-7080 www.penningsorchard.com

Jenkins-Leuken Orchard, New Paltz – Located just minutes from downtown New Paltz. One side has the orchards, with a variation of u-pick apples to choose from. They also offer pumpkin picking and hay rides as well as a corn maze! – Route 299 West, New Paltz (845) 255-0999 www.jlorchards.com

Colonial Springs Farms, Wheatley Heights, NY – Tons to do and many more pumpkins to pick. A 40-minute drive from NYC into Long Island. – 201 Main Avenue, Wheatley Heights, NY (631) 643-4829 www.colonialspringsfarm.com

New Jersey

Riamede Farm, Chester NJ – A beautiful fall drive through NJ takes you to this sweet farm, where you can find endless apple and pumpkins, as well as cider hot dogs (I know, weird but hubby swears they are delicious), apple cider donuts which they make on the spot, popcorn (which they pop right there as well) and other goodies. – 122 Oakdale Road, NJ. (908) 879-5353 www.riamede.com

Alstede Farms, Chester, NJ – We loved this farm because not only can you pick apples and pumpkins, but you can also pick seasonal veggies and fruits! They are open year-round and you can pick your own every time you visit. Hay rides, games, and other fun activities which you can enjoy individually or through the purchase of “package” admission tickets. – 1 Chesterfield Dr. Chester, NJ 07930 (908) 879-7189 www.alstedefarms.com

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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8 Comments
  • Barbara Pflughaupt
    September 24, 2012

    LOVE apple picking and thanks for the video about Heirlooms. My favorite tomatoes 🙂

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    September 24, 2012

    @Barbara Pflughaupt: My pleasure!

    Reply
  • Bicultural Mama
    September 24, 2012

    Very timely info, thanks for the recommendations!

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    September 24, 2012

    @Bicultural Mama: You're welcome! Have fun out there : )

    Reply
  • Paula E
    October 10, 2012

    We went to Riamede on Monday. It was great and the donuts were so delicious!

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    October 10, 2012

    @Paula E: Thanks for letting me know! So glad you enjoyed it…yeah, those donuts are so yummy!

    Reply
  • holly
    September 20, 2013

    Wonderful post – we shall use it for suggestions this weekend!
    My recent post What’s More Exciting Than a Homemade Sukkah and Challah? Not much.

    Reply
  • Harlem Lovebirds
    September 24, 2013

    Fab list! We had fun at Alstede for strawberry season but those cider hot dogs at Riamede sound tempting!

    Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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  • caincarol@gmail.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

Happy winter and merry everything as we enjoy anot Happy winter and merry everything as we enjoy another snowy day in the Finger Lakes. 

Personally, I am ready to hibernate for a bit and enjoy a book or two by the fire while the sounds of my guys fills our home. 

I am in no rush to start the new year but am also excited to get started. I want a year filled with more time with friends, and pursuing projects that I am really inspired by and to be surrounded by inspiring people. I expect to say no a lot this year, after so many years of saying yes and regretting it. I want days that feel happy and healthy and fulfilling. 

Not too much to ask, right? And I wish you all a happy and healthy year too. May you love and be loved in all the ways you deserve and need. ❤️

Thanks for the follow, the support, the DMs and comments, and kindness expressed and shared.
This time of year is a joyous one but it can also This time of year is a joyous one but it can also be terribly overwhelming and draining. 

As someone managing two small businesses and all that life throws my way, I felt I needed a little escape, and Rochester always delivers!

We booked a hotel room, hit up all of our favorite spots, and a couple of new ones. On the list of musts:

📍Highland Park Diner- a must for a hearty breakfast to start the day. Best on weekdays for no crowds. 
📍Siren and the Sea - new cafe bookstore full of good reads, cozy vibes, and yummy drinks
📍Happy Earth Tea - where I picked up some delicious chai and matcha (also a sweet little yap spot with friends). 
📍Lamberton Conservatory - especially this time of year as it’s decorated for the holidays. Was a lovely spot to sit on a bench and zen out for a bit.
📍Winter Swan Coffee - afternoon cafecito, gift and plant shopping
📍Ugly Duck Coffee - the main reason we were inspired to come to Rochester on this specific day, for their Industry Night, where we nerded out about coffee “and beyond”. Of course we went back the next morning for coffee!
📍Rochester Public Market - for some evening holiday market strolling and hellos to our friends Sylvan Farm and Cidery who were working the market!
📍Lucky’s for dinner - yummy, but man oh man do I miss their onion rings!

Absolutely love this city for it’s ability to make me feel happier and lighter. Happy place 🫶🏾.
I’ve seen some pretty spectacular sunsets in my I’ve seen some pretty spectacular sunsets in my travels. Some of my absolute favorites have been on a beach in Mazatlán, Mexico, behind The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, while sitting on a fisherman’s dock in Seoul, South Korea, along the rugged seashore of La Perla, Puerto Rico, and here in the Finger Lakes. Not an exaggeration. The sunsets here are stunning. Breathtaking even. 

#fingerlakes #newyork #citygirlinthecountry #sunsethour
As a Brooklyn girl, born and raised, I never could As a Brooklyn girl, born and raised, I never could’ve imagined a reason to stray too far from my beloved city…and then, I found the Finger Lakes. Never say never. 🤷🏾‍♀️

Bonus: Brooklyn feels like a world away from all this peace and beauty, but it’s only a 4 hour drive. 🫶🏾

#fingerlakes #newyork #citygirlinthecountry #roadtrip
During my recent jaunt to @visittheberkshires I im During my recent jaunt to @visittheberkshires I immersed myself in @massmoca bliss. With 250,000 square feet of gallery space, it’s easy to understand how with three visits thus far,  I still haven’t seen all there is to see. 

Strolling the interconnected buildings and walkways leads you into a new experience, and with each ticket allowing for two consecutive day visits, you are encouraged to take your time. 

Another thing to note is that in between my visits (separated by a month’s time) I got to see new installations that weren’t there before, as many of the exhibits are ever-evolving. 

I have yet to visit during warmer temps, when the outdoor spaces are activated with more art and events, so am definitely excited to return. It would also be cool to catch a live performance there! 

Bonus: the coffee shop adjacent to the museum - @tunnelcitycoffee - serves up some good sips, and I highly recommend reservations to @casitaberkshires, the Mexican restaurant also on campus.

#berkshiresma #roadtrip #museum #massmoca #visitberkshires
This winter promises to be a snowy one and honestl This winter promises to be a snowy one and honestly, I couldn’t be more excited. Experiencing true four seasons is one of the things I love about living here because everything changes each time. The energy is more serene and mellow. The world is so chaotic and sad in many ways these days, it’s really healing to be surrounded by the quiet and stillness of nature on a snow day in the Finger Lakes. 

#fingerlakes #upstateny #snowday

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