Upstate New York is one of the most ideal places to live the farm life beyond the roadside stand. Apple orchards and berry fields, animal sanctuaries, cideries, and maple farms are just a few of the hands-on experiences that call on visitors to slow down, get outdoors, and experience where their food is produced. Most of these farms in Upstate New York offer pick-your-own harvests, guided tours, tastings, and seasonal programs to make a visit to the farm more than just a simple excursion. Whether you’re planning a fall foliage trip, a summer weekend escape, or a family-friendly day in the countryside, these farms showcase the best interactive, highly rated places to visit across Upstate New York.
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1. Beak & Skiff (LaFayette, NY)
We start this guide to the best farms in Upstate New York with Beak & Skiff, a complete farm experience in Upstate New York that integrates orchards of apples, cider production, and a full visitor destination. The farm is best known for its 1911 Established hard cider, pick-your-own apples, cider tasting, a farm market, seasonal festivals, and live events.
You may walk the orchards, drink spirits in the tasting room, or with food and a look at rolling hills. It remains open throughout the year, but the best time to visit is late summer and fall. Beak and Skiff is visible through the I-81, and just south of Syracuse is a half-day journey to a weekend destination in Central New York.
Stay: Skaneateles Inn on 20 (Skaneateles)
A comfortable, well-reviewed base near the Finger Lakes, about 30 minutes away.
2. DuBois Farms (Highland, NY)
DuBois Farms is a classical Hudson Valley farm that mixes farming and entertainment. Tourists have the option of picking their own apples, berries, and pumpkins, walking through the orchards, or spending their leisure time at the on-site winery and tasting room. The farm has year-round seasonal festivals, live music, and a bunch of family-friendly events.
You can visit throughout the year, but the best time to visit is early autumn when summer fruit picking starts. DuBois Farms are located in Highland, within minutes of Poughkeepsie, and are easily accessible through the Route 9W or the Mid-Hudson Bridge. It’s perfect for couples, families, or just any person who desires a spirited yet picturesque farm life.
Stay: Buttermilk Falls Inn + Spa (Milton)
Upscale countryside stay overlooking the Hudson River, 20 minutes north.
3. Dressel Farms (New Paltz, NY)
Dressel Farms is a peaceful, non-fussy farm within the Shawangunk Ridge. Visitors are allowed to pick the apples, peaches, berries, and pumpkins according to the season or visit the farm store, see how cider is made, and purchase cider, donuts, and other local goods.
The environment is serene and picturesque, and the farm is not really commercial (and one of our favorite NYC hidden gems) and which is why it is best suited to the visitor who desires the traditional orchard visit devoid of crowds. Dressel Farms is best visited during late spring to the fall, and it’s located in New Paltz, right off the highway, Route 32.
Stay: Minewaska Lodge (New Paltz)
Iconic Upstate resort close to the orchard and perfect for a full weekend escape.
4. Twin Star Orchards (New Paltz, NY)
Twin Star Orchards is a blend of U-Pick Apples and a current craft cider experience. The orchard is a high-quality fruit that is utilized in their on-site cidery, where visitors can sample, eat food, and enjoy the seasonal celebrations. In the fall, when the harvest happens, guests can take a stroll around the orchards, followed by a cider and wood-fired fare, where you can look at the fields.
Twin Star is also mostly enjoyed by couples and groups that want to visit a farm in a very stylish yet authentic way. It’s open all year round, but the best time to visit is (you guessed it) fall. The orchard can be accessed by Route 299 and is only a few minutes away from New Paltz.
Stay: Hampton Inn New Platz
Stylish, modern lodge minutes from the orchard and hiking trails.
5. Weed Orchards and Winery (Marlboro, NY)
Weed Orchards & Winery is one of the most popular farms in Upstate New York. Conveniently located in the heart of the Hudson Valley, you can go there to pick apples, enjoy wine tasting, and have a view of the river. Tourists are able to pick apples when they have fruit, taste wines and hard cider, or have fresh cider donuts while enjoying spectacular views of the Hudson River.
The farm is family-friendly, but it attracts visitors from all categories, as well, due to the tasting room and picturesque picnic spots. Weed Orchards is a seasonal activity, with the most visitors coming during September and October. The farm can be accessed through Route 9W, and it’s a great starting point for people looking to explore local wineries, orchards, or historic towns on the river.
Stay: The Roundhouse (Beacon)
A popular Hudson Valley hotel with easy access via Route 9W.
6. Kelder’s Farm (Kerhonkson, NY)
Kelder Farm is an interactive, family-friendly farm where you can take your kids for a pick-your-own apples and pumpkins experience, have animal encounters, stroll through the corn mazes, giant slides, and enjoy seasonal attractions. Children can feed the animals, play in the playground, and participate in practical activities, and adults are able to relax in the countryside atmosphere. The farm works mostly during spring and fall, with the most active periods being during the weekends of fall. Kelder Farm is two hours away in Kerhonkson, near the Catskills, and accessible through Route 209.
Stay: Inness (Accord)
Design-forward country retreat about 20 minutes away, ideal for families or couples.
7. Reisinger, Apple Country (Cobleskill, NY)
The Apple Country owned by Reisinger is a conventional upstate orchard, which has a devoted client base. The visitors have access to apple picking, fresh cider, baked goods, and the traditional farm shop experience. There’s no over-the-top entertainment like some other farms on the list, but it’s a nice, well-managed orchard, ideal for travelers who appreciate simple, authentic farm visits.
Orchard is a seasonal business, with fall being the most attractive. It’s located in Cobleskill in the county of Schoharie, and can be conveniently accessed on the I-88 as a perfect stop when visiting Central or Eastern Upstate New York.
Stay: Best Western Plus Cooperstown Inn & Suites
Reliable and close to multiple Upstate attractions.
8. Woodstock Farm Sanctuary (High Falls, NY)
Woodstock Farm Sanctuary provides a valuable and learning farm experience combined with spending time with rescued farm animals. Tourists will have an opportunity to visit cows, pigs, sheep, and other animals on guided tours and learn about animal welfare and ethical farming practices. The sanctuary focuses on learning, caring, and relating as opposed to amusement.
Tours are made by reservation and are only seasonal. The farm is located in High Falls, near the Catskills, approximately two hours by road (NYC) along Route 213. This is an ideal place to visit for a visitor who wants to have a conceptual, values-based farm tour as opposed to a pick-your-own farm tour.
Stay: Hasbrouck House (Stone Ridge)
Boutique historic inn with easy access to the sanctuary.
9. Hurds Family Farm (Modena, NY)
Hurds Family Farm is an established Hudson Valley attraction that has been providing rides on the hay, petting animals, picking apples, and seasonal festivals. It’s particularly popular among families due to its interactive activities and fall activities, such as picking pumpkins and corn mazes. The farm balances entertainment with agriculture, making it lively yet traditional. Hurds is a seasonal business that is busiest during autumn. It’s located in the town of Modena, just outside New Paltz, and you can get there by taking Route 32.
Stay: Hotel Kinsley (Kingston)
Stylish downtown Kingston base, about 25 minutes away.
10. Buck Brook Alpacas (Clinton Corners, NY)
Buck Brook Alpacas is an exclusive farm attraction centered around alpaca tours and visits. Visitors can meet and pet the animals, learn about the farming of alpacas, and also purchase some high-quality products of alpaca wool in the farm store. The tours are small in size, relaxed and educational, and this makes it a great visiting point for couples and any person who wants a unique farm experience. Visits are usually premeditated and operated on a seasonal basis. The farm is located in Clinton Corners, approximately 90 minutes north of NYC, and you can get there by taking the Taconic State Parkway.
Stay: Mirbeau Inn & Spa Rhinebeck
Well-known luxury spa hotel, under 30 minutes away.
11. Green Meadows Farm (Catskills, NY)
Green Meadows Farm is a hands-on animal farm designed for interaction. Visitors can feed goats, cows, sheep, and other animals, making it especially appealing for families with young children. The farm focuses on education and engagement rather than rides or shows. It operates seasonally, mainly from spring through fall. Located in the Catskills, Green Meadows Farm is reachable by car from the Hudson Valley or Albany region. It’s best visited as part of a relaxed countryside day rather than a high-energy attraction.
Stay: The Roxbury (Roxbury)
A whimsical Catskills hotel that pairs well with a farm-focused trip.
12. Boundary Breaks Vineyard (Finger Lakes, NY)
Boundary Breaks Vineyard is one of the Finger Lakes’ most respected wineries, known for its Rieslings and vineyard tastings. Visitors can sample wines while overlooking Seneca Lake, stroll the vineyards, and learn about cool-climate winemaking. While not a traditional farm attraction, the vineyard experience is immersive and educational. It’s open seasonally, with the best time to visit being from late spring through fall. Located near Lodi on the eastern side of Seneca Lake, Boundary Breaks is accessible via Route 414 and pairs well with a Finger Lakes wine trail trip.
Stay: Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel
Lakefront hotel with easy access to Seneca Lake wineries.
13. Wohlschlegel’s Naples Maple Farm (Naples, NY)
Wohlschlegel’s Naples Maple Farm specializes in maple syrup production and offers tours, tastings, and seasonal events. Visitors can learn how sap is collected and boiled, sample different maple products, and explore the sugarhouse. Spring maple season is the highlight, though the farm store is open longer. Located in Naples in the Finger Lakes region, the farm is easily reached via Route 21 and is an excellent stop for travelers interested in traditional Upstate food production and regional specialties.
Stay: Chalet of Canandaigua
Classic Finger Lakes lodging near Naples and Canandaigua Lake.
14. Pumpkinville (Great Valley, NY)
Pumpkinville is a fall-focused farm destination best known for its massive pumpkin fields and seasonal attractions. Visitors can pick pumpkins, explore corn mazes, and enjoy autumn activities in a lively setting. It’s ideal for families and groups looking for a classic fall outing. Pumpkinville operates primarily from late summer through October. Located in Great Valley in Western New York, it’s accessible via Route 219 and works well as part of a fall foliage or harvest trip.
Stay: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Salamanca
Convenient and practical for a fall harvest visit.
15. Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center (Wappingers Falls, NY)
Stony Kill Farm is a publicly accessible working farm focused on education, sustainability, and community programs. Visitors can walk the grounds, attend workshops, and learn about farming practices and environmental stewardship. There’s no commercial picking, but the experience is immersive and informative. The farm is open year-round and can be visited anytime. It’s located in Wappingers Falls and easily reached via Route 9 or the Taconic Parkway. It’s ideal for visitors interested in learning rather than entertainment.
Stay: Inn at Bellefield
Comfortable base close to the farm and Hudson Valley sites.
16. Buhrmaster Family Farms (Saratoga County, NY)
Buhrmaster Family Farms is known for pick-your-own berries and flowers in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Visitors can harvest strawberries, blueberries, sunflowers, and more, depending on the season. The farm emphasizes quality produce and a calm atmosphere rather than large events. It operates seasonally from late spring through summer. Located in Saratoga County, it’s easily accessible from Albany or Saratoga Springs and makes a great stop for a quiet countryside outing.
Stay: The Adelphi Hotel (Saratoga Springs)
Historic, centrally located, and ideal for a longer stay.
17. Altamont Orchards (Altamont, NY)
Last but not least, we conclude this guide to the best farms in Upstate New York with Altamont Orchards, a classic apple-picking experience with views of the Helderberg Mountains. Visitors can pick apples, enjoy cider and baked goods, and browse the farm store. The orchard is family-friendly but not overly commercial, making it a favorite among locals. It operates seasonally, with fall being the highlight. Located just west of Albany in Altamont, it’s easily reached via Route 156 and works well as a short day trip from the Capital Region.
Stay: The Desmond Hotel Albany
Highly rated and convenient to the Capital Region orchards.
How did you like this guide to the best farms in Upstate New York? Did you ever visit any of them? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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