Find the perfect jack-o’-lantern-to-be and stay for a day of family fun
ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y. (September 23, 2021) – Get ready for Halloween and enjoy a day of fun picking the perfect pumpkin on a fall family outing in Orange County. The orange gourds are waiting for you to select them in farms offering hayrides, hot cider and so much more.
“You don’t want to miss Orange County in the fall!” said Amanda Dana, Director of Orange County Tourism & Film. “There’s something special about finding the perfect pumpkin right where it’s growing – on one of our family-owned farms! While you’re here, enjoy the crisp air, the spectacular fall colors and the tastes and smells of autumn. Take a tractor-pulled hayride and enjoy fresh apple cider and delicious cider doughnuts. You’ll go home with the pumpkin of your choice to carve for Halloween and memories that will last much, much longer.”
Here are some of the farms and orchards offering the opportunity to pick your own:
Apple Dave’s Orchards, 82 Four Corners Road, Warwick: Mix picking your own pumpkin with harvesting their many varieties of apples. Enjoy live music from the popular Flipside with Barry Wiesenfeld and John Foley. Explore wildlife strolling the walking trails. On weekends, enjoy a wide variety of foods, plus ice cream. The large, attractive farm store offers old fashioned, fresh-pressed apple cider, gifts, pure honey, pumpkins, jams, jellies, herbs, vinegars and local seasonal produce. More at http://www.appledavesorchards.com/.
Apple Ridge Orchards, 101 Jessup Road, Warwick: Stroll through the pumpkin patch at the rustic and spectacularly scenic Apple Ridge Orchards. Take photos with the family, see fun farm displays and enjoy a tractor-pulled hayride. Pet and feed the farm’s friendly farm animals. At the farm stand, taste the famous apple cider doughnuts (in season) and other delicious farm goodies! Guests can also see inside the honeybee observation hive and purchase 100% raw honey produced by the hardest-working bees in New York State! Be sure to check out the Fun on the Farm Page for exciting farm activities. https://appleridgeorchards.com/.
Lawrence Farms Orchards, 39 Colandrea Road, Newburgh: Pick your own pumpkin on a farm where you can also harvest a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, and even other types of gourds. Check the website for a list of which crops grow and are harvested month to month. Children can romp in the miniature New England-style play village with picnic tables. At the concession stand, choose from apple-cider doughnuts, pies, cookies, chicken tenders, hot dogs, paninis and much more. Birthday packages are available. http://lawrencefarmsorchards.org.
Manza Family Farm, 730 Rt. 211, Montgomery: Join the Fall Festival at the Manza Family Farm, a tradition since the 1980s. Venture into the 15 acres of pumpkins to pick your own, take a tractor-drawn hayride on weekends and holidays during October, challenge yourself to the straw maze, visit the farm animals and stop at the farm stand and refreshment stand. http://www.manzafamilyfarm.net.
Pierson’s Farm, 1448 Rt. 211 West Middletown: Pick your own pumpkin, challenge yourself to two corn mazes, visit the petting zoo, and take a hayride at a Hudson Valley historical landmark settled in 1790. The many fall activities include a kids’ playground with a mini slide; a swing set, tube-glider swings, spiderweb climb, rubber-duck races and more. The farm stand offers grass-fed beef by the pound along with fresh chicken, pork and eggs. http://www.piersonsfarm.com.
Wright Family Farm, 329 Kings Highway, Warwick: Choose the perfect pumpkin from one of two patches. Be sure to bring a camera for photographs of the children with the pumpkins. Get lost in the corn maze and enjoy the views from the two bridges. The barnyard offers pedal carts, cow-train ride, tube slide, hamster wheel, pumpkin bowling and more! https://wrightfamilyfarm.com/fall-fun.
Contact individual orchards or check their websites for up-to-date COVID-19 precautions being taken.
About Orange County Tourism & Film
Orange County Tourism & Film, based in Goshen, N.Y., is the county’s tourism headquarters and a participant in the I LOVE NY program. A
comprehensive listing of area attractions, lodging, and events can be found at www.OrangeTourism.org. Additionally, a fun, free, 56-page travel guide is available for digital download at https://orangetourism.org/travel-guide/.
