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At a Glance

• Hayrides: Take a tractor-drawn ride through farms, orchards, and fields
• More fall fun: Find apple picking, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, farm animals, and fall festivals
• Where to go: Options in NYC, New Jersey, Westchester, Long Island, and beyond
• For families: A mix of activities for younger kids, older children, and parents too

As the air turns crisp, the wind picks up, and the leaves start to fall, bundle up and get cozy on top of hay stacks in a tractor bed this season. Be on the lookout for the perfect pumpkin to carve, the ripest apples, and the most confusing corn maze. These hayrides — a few located within New York City — will leave families with comforting memories that will last a lifetime.

New York City

Green Meadows Farm

3159 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY

718-470-0224

Between the Rockaways and South Brooklyn, Marine Park buffers against Rockaway Inlet. Nestled in this green space lies Green Meadows Farm. For a $14 admission (ages 2 and below are free), families can go on hayrides, kids can play in the corn kernel box, operate a bulldozer, and then recuperate at the snack bar.

Queens County Farm Museum 

73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Floral Park, NY

718-347-3276

Brushing up against the border of Queens and Long Island, this farm and museum offers tractor-pulled hayrides around its 47-acre farm in October and November during fall festivals, including the Children’s Halloween on the Farm and the Annual Queens Agricultural Fair. Little ones will love getting lost in the only corn maze in NYC and picking pumpkins. Enjoy cider, donuts, apples, and pies at their sweet shoppe. Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm; admission is free except on ticketed dates. Hayrides (weather permitting) run on weekdays from 1 to 4 pm and weekends from 11 am to 4 pm at $6 per person. Tickets can be bought in-person at their Farmstore.

New Jersey

Alstede Farms

1 Alstede Farms Ln., Chester, NJ

908-946-2023

Head out west into north-central Jersey for a fall family fun at Jersey’s Alstede Farms, where your family can enjoy the evening Harvest Moon Hayride. The ride guides you through a nighttime corn maze and pumpkin patch, ending with a campfire and live music. The children can enjoy the seasonal apple cider donut and pumpkin ice cream, while the parents can get refreshed with Ironbound Hard Cider. Open from 6 to 10 pm, Fridays through Sundays (last entry at 8:30 pm). Tickets are $20.

Riamede Farm

122 Oakdale Rd., Chester, NJ

908-879-7762

Riamede Farm offers scenic hayrides out to their historic pumpkin patch. Besides standard general admission tickets, they have a variety of deals to choose from: the Season Pass offers a 10% discount on any purchase, while the Family Bundle offers 4 admissions, a bag of donuts, and a bushel of apples. Hayrides run only on weekends, with the last entry at 4:30 pm. Please check the website for current hours and pricing.

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Westchester/Hudson Valley/Connecticut

Barton Orchards

63 Apple Tree Ln., Poughquag

845-227-2306

Barton Orchards offers hayrides, apple and pumpkin picking, a creamery, a corn maze, a haunted house and a family “fun park,” which includes a mega slide, apple cannons, mini golf and pedal carts. Kids will love the petting zoo and seasonal activities, while adults can enjoy craft beer, cider, and wine at the Taproom, Sound Garden bar and the Harvest Lounge. Check the website for current hours, pricing and special events.

Bishop’s Orchards

1355 Boston Post Rd., Guilford, CT

203-453-2338

During their Fall Festival, Bishop’s Orchards in south-central Connecticut offers hayrides, pick-your-own apples, pears and pumpkins, a corn maze, farm animals, a tire mountain, and a corn crib. Families can enjoy fresh produce and baked goods from the farm market. If in need of a sweet treat, stop by their Orchard Sweet Shop, or their Cider Hut for adult pick-me-up. The orchard is open daily; check the website for ticketed events. Hayrides occur on weekends and select holidays. Bags are provided for fruit picking. Picked fruit is paid by weight at an extra cost. You can save $3 online when buying tickets for both weekdays and weekends.

Fishkill Farms

9 Fishkill Farm Rd., Hopewell Junction, NY

845-897-4377

Fishkill Farms offers weekend hayrides for transportation around the farm, pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, and a corn maze. Families can eat delectable eats, such as jerk chicken and cider slushies at the Farmer’s Fork Food Stand. Families enjoy live music while munching on apple cider donuts. If you are thirsty after those donuts, head on over to their cider bar. Farm animals are on display (observation only), adding to the harvest charm. Hayrides and activities require tickets in advance. Open weekends; check the website for hours and seasonal events.

Dr. Davies Farm

306 Rt. 304, Congers, NY

845-268-7020

The majestic rocky outcroppings that bank the Hudson River are visible from this farm. Pack up the family—and even your dog—and head a little over an hour from the city to enjoy hayrides, pick your own apples and pumpkins, and navigate the corn maze. Hayrides are available at $8 to get to select fall activity areas, such as the pumpkin patch and flower garden. Apple picking is open daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm. Pricing varies; cash only (ATM available). Please check the website for details.

Dykeman Farm

31 Dykeman Ln., Pawling, NY

845-832-6068

A fourth-generation-led farm, Dykeman offers hayrides through September and October. Reservations are required for apple and pumpkin picking. Make sure to check out their fresh vegetables at the Farm Stand. Whether you want to pick your own or buy fresh, both activities are open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Open daily; check the website for hours. Admission is free; some activities require a small fee. Hayrides run on weekends and select weekdays, such as Indigenous People’s Day.

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard

130 Hardscrabble Rd., North Salem, NY

914-485-1210

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard hosts a two-month-long Fall Festival on weekends, featuring hayrides, apple picking, pumpkin patches, and a corn maze. There will be live country music and barbecue on select weekends. Enjoy cider donuts and farm-fresh produce. Admission tickets are $27 for ages 4 and up, and must be purchased online in advance. Hayrides and picking your own fruit are an additional charge. The farm is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 5 pm on weekends.

Legends of Fear: Haunted Hayride & Trail

2 Saw Mill City Rd., Shelton, CT

If you are feeling courageous for a weekend, look no further than Legends of Fear in southwestern Connecticut. Experienced actors will frighten you as the local cryptid, Melon Head, a bulbous-headed humanoid rumored to be in the state’s southwestern woods. You can either do the Haunted Hayride or the Hallow Trail, both for $38, with combo and VIP ticket options as well. Featured attractions are The Funhouse of Fear, Melon Head Revenge Sawmill & Camp, Hemlock Manor Mortuary, and Pine Hills Parish. While this attraction is a scary good time for teens, it is not suitable for children under 12. Open select nights through October. Wind down from this good scare around a bonfire with a foggy non-alcoholic beverage and donuts. Online reservations are highly recommended. Free parking is provided. See the website for more details.

Muscoot Farm

51 Route 100, Katonah, NY

914-864-7286

Muscoot Farm is a farm and museum, located on a grand 777 acres. Offers range from hayrides to animal exhibits, hiking trails, and a farmers’ market on Sundays from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. The farm is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm. The museum is home to the Milk, Ice, Brooder, and Carriage Houses. Hayrides are available for an additional fee; please check the website for current pricing and event details.

Outhouse Orchards

139 Hardscrabble Rd., North Salem, NY

914-277-3188

Outhouse Orchards offers a vibrant fall experience with apple and pumpkin picking, a corn maze, and hayrides. The farm stand features fresh produce, homemade goods, as well as flower and pear picking. When dusk falls, stay from 6-9 pm for Fall Friday Nights and eat wood-fired pizza while live music fills the air. Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission varies; please check the website for current pricing, hours, and event details.

Stuart’s Fruit Farm

62 Granite Springs Rd., Granite Springs, NY

914-245-2784

Stuart’s Fruit Farm is one of the oldest farms in Westchester County. It has been around since 1828. It offers apple, peach, and pumpkin picking, hayrides, and a farm stand with pastries baked every day. The farm is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. Hayrides are available on weekends. Cash or check only; please check the website for current pricing, hours, and event details.

Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm

1335 White Hill Rd., Yorktown Heights, NY

914-245-5111

Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm offers apple, peach, and pumpkin picking, hayrides, a corn maze, a bakery with fresh pies and cider donuts, and a winery and vineyard on weekends. The farm is open daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm, while the food market is open from 10 am to 5 pm. The farm is closed on Tuesday. No reservations or admissions fees are required to enter. Hayrides are available on weekends; please check the website for current pricing and event details. You can pick up a freshly-cut Christmas tree when winter arrives too.

Apple Ridge Orchards

101 Jessup Rd., Warwick, NY

845-987-7717

Apple Ridge Orchards offers hayrides with stops along the way to pet and feed the animals. There are also pick-your-own apples and pumpkins. Enjoy scenic views of the Hudson Valley and Warwick Valley. Check out the Orchard BBQ on weekends and select holidays from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. On October 9th, families will gather under the cover of darkness for the Spookley Pumpkin Movie Night. The farm is open Thursday through Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm. Please check the website for current hours and pricing.

Hurds Family Farm

2187 NY-32, Modena, NY

845-883-7825

Hurds Family Farm features hayrides, corn mazes, cow train rides, and seasonal pick-your-own apples and pumpkins on 125 acres of land. Kids can enjoy a bounce pillow, mini-zipline, and duck races. The farm offers a classic autumn outing for families. It is open Friday through Monday, with hayrides available on Saturdays, Sundays, or by group reservation. Multiple different price packages are offered, each with different amenities. Check the website for current pricing and seasonal events.

Masker Orchards

45 Ball Rd., Warwick, NY

845-986-1058

For more than 100 years, Masker Orchards is a go-to family-friendly farm in the Hudson Valley. Drive right to the trees with your family and then get lost in the massive orchard. You can even bring your dog. On weekends and holidays, there are pony rides, wagon rides for the kids, and apple maze. The country store has great cider and an assortment of apple jams, butters, pies, and other goodies. There is also a haunted house, live music, a country store, and more! What is more, there is no admission fee. It is open 9 am-5 pm, seven days a week, through November for the fruit-picking season.

Long Island

Albert H. Schmitt Family Farm

6 Bagatelle Rd., Dix Hills, NY

631-423-6343

Albert H. Schmitt Family Farm offers its very own “Fall Fun,” full of hayrides and a pumpkin patch. Kids can explore and have fun with duck races and the animal train ride. Food and beverages include apple cider donuts, roasted corn, fresh pies and hot caramel apple cider. There is a $10 admission fee. Families can wander the fields, enjoy fall décor, and explore farm activities. The farm is open daily from 12 pm to 5 pm on Mondays through Thursdays, and 10 am to 6 pm on Fridays through Sundays; check the website for updated pricing and special event details.

Brightwater Farms

1624 Manatuck Blvd., Bay Shore, NY

631-665-5410

Families can go on as many hayrides as they want at Brightwater Farms on the weekends. Children under 2 years old are free. While the idea of unlimited hayrides is tempting, there is a $30 admission fee. Weekdays are free admission, with hayrides an added $10. The farm also features pumpkin picking, a corn maze, inflatables, and farm animals. Live entertainment and seasonal treats are available at the country store.

F&W Schmitt’s Family Farm

26 Pinelawn Rd., Melville, NY

631-271-3276

Schmitt’s Family Farm’s Annual Fall Festival package is packed with family-friendly activities. You will not encounter basketball hoops or mechanical pig races at many farms, but at Schmitt’s it is guaranteed. The farm provides family-friendly activities, including hayrides, pumpkin picking, a petting zoo, a spooky haunted house (at an additional cost), and a 7-acre corn maze. Hayrides are free, and additional activities like miniature golf and barn twister are available at no extra cost. The Annual Fall Festival goes through October on weekends and holidays. It is priced at $24. Check the website for current hours and event details.

Harbes Family Farm

715 Sound Ave., Mattituck, NY

631-482-7641

Resting upon Long Island’s North Fork, Harbes Family Farm features hayrides, a corn maze, apple and pumpkin picking, pig races, and a Barnyard Adventure area. Kids can meet the new animals on the farm — the cute Highland cows Mocha and Maise. If one corn maze is not enough for you, no problem, Harbes also features their very own Spooky Night Maze. Open on weekends from 9 am to 6 pm. Hayrides $8; hayride + maze is $12; Barnyard Adventure $29 on weekends and holidays. Combo ticket packages are also offered; for current prices and event details, check the website.

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