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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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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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I wanted something that allowed for more in-person connections in a way that I loved to do so the most…by serving something yummy to strangers and friends alike. Café Cómodo has become more than I expected, faster than I imagined, and some of the hardest work I’ve done to date. But I love it. 

And now, we’ve secured a long term partnership with @sulfurbooks, in Clifton Springs, NY. 

Started January 10, 2026 and every second Saturday of the month till December 2026 (with a few extra events sprinkled in between), we will be serving a community of growing fans in a community bookstore we all adore. 

I look forward to continued growth, more meaningful partnerships, and making people happy, one cafecito at a time. ☕️

Thank you to everyone who has been supportive of my little café dreams from day 1. Look what you helped make possible!! 

Thank you to Sarah and team for this opportunity and to the Clifton Springs community for the warm welcome. 🫶🏾

#cafecomodo
May your bellies be happy and your hearts full. ❤️

#givingthanks #familia #turkeyday
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For one, the little parades that bring so many people - many of whom you get to know personally when living in a small town - are really endearing. And also, the generic commercialism doesn’t overpower the holidays because there are so many quaint small businesses to support and shop in. 

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📸 Parade of Lights in Corning, NY. 

#fingerlakes #smalltownchristmas❤️ #newyork #upstateny

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