Fall Farm Adventures Offer Family Fun Across the Region
From apple picking and pumpkin patches to hayrides and corn mazes, numerous farms provide seasonal activities.
As autumn arrives, farms across the region are opening their gates, offering a variety of activities for families seeking seasonal entertainment. These destinations provide opportunities for apple picking, pumpkin selection, hayrides, and corn mazes, with many extending their offerings through November.
Kelder’s Farm in Kerhonkson, NY, a farm dating back to 1779, offers pick-your-own apples with varieties such as Cortland, Golden Delicious, Empire, and Crispin. Open until November 1, a $20 ticket includes access to hayrides, a pumpkin patch, and a petting zoo. The farm also features apple cannons.
Dykeman Farm in Pawling, NY, provides free admission and parking for its weekend activities, including hayrides and pumpkin picking, running from September 26 through October 31. This fourth-generation farm boasts over 70 pumpkin varieties.
Ellms Family Farm in Ballston Spa, NY, located about three hours from Manhattan, features a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, a children's train, a pumpkin-shaped jumping pad, and an apple-shaped jumping pillow. Visitors can also enjoy scenic trolley rides and a corn maze. The market offers apple cider and doughnuts. Admission starts at $20 per person, with activities available through November 1.
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard in North Salem, NY, is open weekends until November 1, with tickets from $20 per person. Guests can pick apples, explore the pumpkin patch, take hayrides, and enjoy live music and seasonal food. The farm also offers an evening Mystic Moon experience on select nights, featuring a Halloween trail. New additions this year include a pirate-themed area called Kraken’s Cove and earlier Twilight Hour sessions for toddlers.
In New Jersey, the Black River & Western Railroad’s Pumpkin Train in Flemington offers rides to Everitt Farms at Pumpkin Junction on weekends from September 26 through October 25. Tickets are from $23 for adults and $17 for children. The train departs at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 3 p.m., and the farm provides a 6-acre pumpkin patch, a corn maze, a sunflower field, wagon rides, and a petting zoo.
Riamede Farm in Chester, NJ, known for its pick-your-own apple orchard with trees from the 1930s, offers a variety of apple types. As an EcoCertified farm, it provides a Corn Trail, pumpkin patch, goat encounters, and pony rides. The farm also has a store, live music, concessions, and a flower farm. Tickets start at $16 and include parking and a wagon ride.
In Connecticut, the Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington offers an "eBike Adventure" for $125 per e-bike, leading guests to Averill Farm. Included in the package is a half-peck apple-picking bag per guest, with 20 varieties of apples available. The experience also includes pears and cider doughnuts and runs through October 31.
The Autumn Glow Festival at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle, NY, operates Friday through Sunday evenings until November 1. This attraction features over 1,000 handcrafted Chinese lanterns and LED lights, food trucks, and performances. Admission begins at $16 and the event is held in a handicap-accessible setting.