What's Your Favorite Apple?
- Gala
- Empire
- Cortland
- McIntosh
- Honeycrisp
- Macoun
- Red Delicious
- Gala Red
- Jonagold
What follows is a sampling of where to go.
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard, North Salem: Grab some sweet McIntosh off the trees, then head to the farm store where you can pick up apple cider, old fashioned cider doughnuts, home-baked pies, fresh eggs, grass-fed beef and pork. There are also hayrides, pony rides and farm animals (though no feeding or petting). During the winter months the farm sells its own vegetable-fed, antibiotic and hormone-free broad breasted bronze turkeys fresh for Thanksgiving and fresh Christmas greens including wreaths and pre-cut Christmas trees. Grab an Apple: 130 Hardscrabble Rd., (914) 485-1210, www.harvestmoonfarmandorchard.com/.
Outhouse Orchards, North Salem: This bustling farm has lots to choose from. Aside from apples, you'll find lots of leafy greens from their garden, local honey and maple syrup. There's also a corn maze. From now through Oct. 18 you'll find McIntosh, Cortland and Rhode Island Greenings, with Rome, Baldwin and Red Delicious in later October/early November. Grab an Apple: 139 Hardscrable Rd., (914) 277-3188, www.outhouseorchardsny.com/.
Stuart's Fruit Farm, Granite Springs: Embracing families is something the family-owned Stuart's has been doing for years. Guests will find hayrides on weekends, a full bakery and yes, tons of apples. Among the varieties: Honeycrisp, Macintosh, Jonamac and Gala. Pumpkin picking starts in October. Grab an Apple: 62 Granite Springs Rd., (914) 245-2784, www.stuartsfarm.com/.
Thompson’s Cider Mill, Croton-on-Hudson: You can't pick apples here but you can enjoy the apple ambiance and watch fresh-pressed apple cider process. Located next to the Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining, the Mill has been making fresh-pressed apple cider since 1975. There are also tons of pies, cider donuts, and local honey. Grab an Apple: 335 Blinn Rd., (914) 271-2254, www.thompsonscidermill.com/.
Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm, Yorktown Heights: Apple picking is in full swing at Wilkens where riding the hay wagon to this week’s picking orchard (the location of which changes weekly as different varieties ripen) is part of the fun. Grab an Apple: 1313 White Hill Rd., (914) 245-5111, www.wilkensfarm.com/.
Have another spot you like? Tell us about it in our comments or email jmuchnick@dailyvoice.com.
Click here to follow Daily Voice North Salem and receive free news updates.