Still On My Bucket List
Some of these farms do not include pick-your-own fruits or vegetables so be mindful before you go and read the blogs carefully (basically some of these farms are just barnyards and have fun events for kids). On the contrary, some are only pick-your-own so you may drive as far as 2 hours to just pick fruits and vegetables for less than an hour and go home. So just know before you go and don't say I didn't tell you so!
If you live on Long Island or New Jersey and want to save toll money, stay local (there are enough great farms where you are). But if you want more scenic, upstate is the place to be! Also, I have only added farms within an hour and a half ride tops. There are much more scenic farms if you are willing to drive farther!
Things to consider before you go: 1) Can you bring a stroller? 2) Is there a corn maze? 3) Is there pick-your-own offered or only a farmstand? 4) Do they have food at the farmstand? 5) Is there a bathroom? 6) Do I have to pay tolls to get there? 7) Are there dwarf trees for the kids? 8) Do they have bouncers and other activities to keep the young kids entertained? Or other "agri-tainment"? 9) Is it scenic? 10) Anything else to do in the area? 11) How much does it cost? Does the admission fee include the corn maze and bouncers? 12) Is there a hay ride offered? 13) Is there fruit left on the trees? 14) Can I bring pets? 15) Are they open on the specific day you are going? 16) Any festivals lined up? 17) Is there a playground? 18) Is it closed due to previous day of rain? 19) Are they open in the summer? If so, what kind of selection do they have other than apples? 20) do they have a petting zoo?
This list is based on what I gathered from all my facebook groups about what people's favorite farms are. I have left many out many obscure farms out!
Long Island Farms
Schmitt's Family Farmwww.schmittfarms.com
Whitepost Farms Melville, NY http://www.whitepostfarms.com/
Upstate New York Farms