Hudson Valley Guide To The Perfect Pumpkin 2019

The air is crisp, the leaves are turning; the scent of fall is in the air. That means it’s time to pick a pumpkin for Halloween or perhaps to make delicious pumpkin pies.

Finding the perfect pumpkin at a nearby farm offers more than shopping at the source. A pumpkin picking expedition offers an opportunity to enjoy seasonal scenery, indulge in fun fall activities, such as hayrides, and savor seasonal treats, such as cider doughnuts.

Here are a few nearby pumpkin picking opportunities.

Rockland

Dr. Davies Farm
306 Route 304, Congers
845-268-7020

Visitors can enjoy a scenic trailer ride to the farm’s pumpkin patch
and pick out their own. The scenic 35-acre farm also sells homemade
doughnuts and fresh pressed cider. Bring cash or a check, because the farm does not
accept credit cards. There is an ATM, though.

The Orchards of Concklin
2 South Mountain Road, Pomona
845-354-0369

There's a lot of kid-friendly fun to be had at The Orchards of
Concklin, including a haunted house, bounce house and Jurassic
adventure. The orchards offer a variety of pumpkins, plus fresh-pressed
apple cider, a variety of vegetables and farm fresh eggs. The bakery
sells delicious pies, cookies, and pastries.

Westchester

Outhouse Orchards
139 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem
914-277-3188

The orchards offer a wide selection of pumpkins, gourds and Halloween decorations to inspire the fall spirit. Pick your favorite pumpkin and the staff will weigh for you at the check out tent. Parking on weekends is $10; it's free during the week.
Pumpkin picking hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm
1335 White Hill Road, Yorktown Heights
914-245-5111

The farm is open daily from August until mid-December. You can pick pumpkins from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. an after that stop by the gift shop for freshly baked cookies, pies, cider doughnuts and strudel sticks, as well as gift items. This year the farm celebrates its 103rd year of harvest.

Stuart’s Fruit Farm
62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs
914-245-2784

The 200-acre family-owned farm offers pick-your-own pumpkins, apples and vegetables. On weekends you can take a hayride through the orchards and end the visit by sampling a freshly baked pie or doughnut with a glass of apple cider. Stuart’s has been around for 180 years. Cash or check only.

Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard
130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem
914-485-1210

You can’t pick pumpkins off the vine but Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard does offer a wide variety of regular and obscure varieties. The farm holds a Fall Festival on weekends through the last weekend in October, as well as Columbus Day. Entertainment for the kids include farm animals, bouncy castles, face painting and hayrides. You can also buy homemade doughnuts, cider, produce and fresh eggs. Only service dogs are welcome on the farm.

Putnam

Salingers Orchard
230 Guinea Road, Brewster
845-277-3521

The orchard was established in 1901 and is still farmed by the same family. Not only can you buy pumpkins there, as well as apples, vegetables and raw local honey, but you can also stock up on pumpkin pies. Salinger's Orchard is open daily year-round from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except for holidays.

Mid-Hudson Valley

Ochs Orchard
4 Ochs Lane, Warwick
845-986-1591

The three-generation family farm has pumpkins, cider doughnuts, homemade ice cream and a petting zoo for the kids. The farm is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

DuBois Farms
209 Perkinsville Road, Highland
845-795-4037

Visitors can pick pumpkins through the end of October, as well as enjoying pony rides, tractor-pulled wagon rides, visits with farm animals, a 2-acre corn maze and more.

Meadowbrook Farm
29 Old Myers Corners Road, Wappingers Falls
845 297-3002

A local favorite for over 70 years, the farm offers pumpkins galore, a large variety of apples for picking and uses their own apples to make fresh cider

Fishkill Farms
9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction
845-897-4377

The farm offers a selection of pumpkins, plus several varieties of apples, fun hayrides, a farm market, cider doughnuts and barbecued jerk chicken for lunch. The farm also sells liquor, roasted coffee and local ice cream.

Apple Hill Farm
124 Route 32, New Paltz
845-255-1605

Apple Hill Farm offers produce but also a panoramic view, as it overlooks the picturesque Shawangunk and Catskill Mountains. Pumpkins are available through October 27. Pick-your-own hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can also check out the restored 1859 barn for fresh pressed apple cider and mulled apple cider donuts, as well as wreaths, dried and fresh-cut flowers. Hayrides are on weekends only.

Hurds Family Farm
2185 Route 32, Modena
845-883-6300

At Hurds Family Farm it’s possible to pick your Halloween pumpkin, plus some vegetables, salad greens, pears and a variety of apples. Pumpkins range from $3 to $20. There’s a lot of “agritainment” for the whole family, including a Big Apple Bounce air pillow with a beautiful view of the Mohonk Mountains. Kids can go gem mining, follow one of the two nature trails or take a hayride around apple trees and pumpkin patches

Wilklow Orchards
341 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland
845-691-2339

The farm offers two options for pumpkin picking. Within the orchard, there's a patch of small pumpkins, ranging from 2 to 5 pounds. These pumpkins are $2 each and are the perfect size for painting or for children to carve. They are easy to carry and fun for school groups or young children to pick themselves. Wilklow also sells all sizes of pumpkins at our roadstand that are pre-picked for you. Whether it is a Jack-o-lantern you're looking for, or a pumpkin for pie, they have it. After picking pumpkins, stop by the bakery, where New York State flour plus regional butter and eggs are used to make muffins and bread. Fresh fruit from the farm is used to make jam and cider.

Greig Farm
227 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook
845-758-1234

The farm is open for picking pumpkins from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. The field is located at 263 Pitcher Lane, so look for the signs. Kids may appreciate the farm’s petting zoo. There’s a nursery/garden shop and Christmas shop. The farm, which has been open to the public for more than 60 years, also organizes wine tastings.

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