Because crop availability varies, always call first!
One of the most beloved summertime rituals is picking fresh fruit from a farm. Spend the day harvesting the ripest fruits and enjoying them fresher than you’ll have them anywhere else. Cherry picking season in New York starts in early June or July, so there’s time to plan your trip to the best cherry-picking spots. There are plenty of options in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, all within a few hours’ drive from the city. These farms offer more than just PYO cherries: you’ll find hayrides, farm stands and even petting zoos. Make a day of it and you’ve got a perfect family day trip. While you wait for the cherries, you can also check out the best spots for strawberry picking and blueberry picking near NYC.
Cherry picking season in New York
1. Rose Hill Farm (Red Hook, NY)
Rose Hill Farm is a bio-intensive, holistic orchard situated on a peaceful and picturesque slice of the Hudson River Valley. The fruit you get to pick has been responsibly grown, and this organic farm boasts fruits like cherries, blueberries, peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines, and apples. Come to these 100 acres of sprawling farmland Thursdays from 9am-7pm and Fri-Sun from 9am-5pm, and get ready for a bountiful harvest!
2. Och’s Orchard (Warwick, NY)
It doesn’t get much better than a cherry picking experience with a view! Plus, Och’s is so much more than PYO! You’ll also find homemade ice cream, and some furry friends at the petting zoo. Cherries are around through mid-July and can be picked daily from 9am-5:30pm for $5/person (kids under 4 pick for free). Bring a picnic to munch on during your cherry-picking adventure while savoring the expansive views from the Och’s Orchard gazebo.
3. Wickham’s Fruit Farm (Cutchogue, NY)
Every year, Wickham’s Fruit Farm has delicious cherries available for picking in July! Choose the roundest and juiciest fruit with your crew at this PYO destination in Long Island. Not only is the fruit delicious, but the farm has a rich history, too! Wickam’s fruit is grown on some of the oldest continually cultivated land in the country—much of the farm dates back to 1661. With beautiful views of sparkling Peconic Bay, Wickham’s is the perfect place to pop a squat and appreciate nature’s beauty…with a handful of cherries of course!
4. Prospect Hill Orchards (Milton, NY)
Heading to Prospect Hill Orchards has been a 200-year tradition for New Yorkers. If you’re in the mood for tart cherries (which are typically available by late-June) or want to spice things up with apples, peaches or pears, this family-owned operation has you covered. PYO options are available onsite Thur-Sun from 9am-4pm but if you can’t make it to Milton, head to one of the NYC farmer’s markets to get your fruity fix from Prospect Hill; it operates at Tribeca Washington Market Park, Tucker Square and Abingdon Square year-round!
5. Lawrence Farm Orchards (Newburgh, NY)
Since 1892, Lawrence Farm Orchard has offered dozens of farm-fresh items to pick throughout the year, from cherries and raspberries to eggplants and greens. Fill a container with fruit and then head to the Little Play Village, visit the show chickens and goats or cool off with some local ice cream. Open daily from 9am-4pm, $7/person Mon-Thu, $10/person Fri-Sun, season passes available..
Cherry picking season in Connecticut
6. March Farm (Bethlehem, CT)
This family-owned organic farm is an all-American classic: Acres of rolling hills, sun-kissed fruit trees, a farm store with eggs, milk and produce. The PYO season starts mid-June with cherries, then carries through the summer with blueberries and strawberries. Lucky locals get to subscribe to March Farm’s CSA.
7. Belltown Hill Orchards (South Glastonbury, CT)
This family-operated stop not only gives visitors a PYO option, but it also lets them choose from delectable sweets—jams, pies, cookies—if they’re looking to take home other snacks besides the fruit. Be sure to check the calendar for seasonal event listings, too!
Cherry picking season in New Jersey
8. Terhune Orchards (Princeton, NJ)
From asparagus in April to pumpkins in October, Terhune Orchards has all the PYO options you could want—including eight varieties of sweet and sour cherries! The farm provides containers for you to gather your berries in, and when you’re done, be sure to wander down the farm trail to meet sheep, chickens, horses, geese and ducks and peruse all the treats at the farm stand.
9. Fruitwood Orchards Honey Farm (Monroeville, NJ)
Fruitwood Orchards has offered 110 acres of fruit orchards since 1951. Though they’re known for their yummy honey, you can find apples, peaches, nectarines, pears, and cherries depending on when you go. There are also some less common PYO treasures, like watermelon, cantaloupe, and wine grapes.
10. Battleview Orchards (Freehold, NJ)
A taste of New Jersey sour cherries is a must at this PYO hotspot. Sign up for a group picking session and visit the site for delicious recipes once you’ve gathered your goods. Of course, a trip to the Country Store for home-baked goods is a must!
