Strawberry picking pyo — Photograph: Shutterstock

Photograph: Shutterstock

The best strawberry picking in CT

Hit the road and head to the best strawberry picking CT has to offer at these family-owned farms!

Tuesday July 28 2020

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If you're looking for some summer fun and a wholesome excuse to get out of town, head to the best strawberry picking CT has to offer. A PYO adventure is the berries! Not only do you get to spend time in nature, you get to eat what you harvest.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to where to pick your own fruits and vegetables near NYC

It's just one of the ways NYC families can beat the summer heat. Looking for other ideas? You can head to the best water playgrounds for kids in NYC then visit one of the best ice cream shops in NYC or check out the best soft-serve ice cream for kids in NYC if you're staying in town. Itching for a day trip? Then spend the day at one of the best beaches for kids in and around NYC, or spend a night out at one of the best drive-in theaters in and near New York!

Summer is what you make of it, and we'll help you find amazing activities you and your family will love to do!

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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Best strawberry picking in CT

1. Jones Family Farms

Photograph: Shutterstock

Travel time: 2.5 hours by car

Take a trip to Jones Family Farms for some delicious strawberries this season! While picking, you’ll enjoy 400 sprawling acres with gorgeous views of lush green farmland. The farm also offers blueberry picking, then pumpkin picking and Christmas trees later in the year. As an added bonus, there’s also an on-site winery should you want to do some sampling! 606 Walnut Tree Hill Rd, Shelton, CT (203-929-8425, jonesfamilyfarms.com).

2. Lyman Orchards

Photograph: Unsplash/Johnny Martinez

Travel time: 3 hours by car

This family-owned farm dates to 1741, and it's a great escape for city dwellers: The land overlooks the Connecticut River and the orchards provide nearly 100 varieties of pick-your-own fruits from June through October. Head here at the beginning for the picking season for juicy strawberries and then return for jostaberries, blueberries and raspberries. 3 Lyman Rd, Middlefield, CT (860-349-1793, lymanorchards.com).

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3. Ellsworth Hill Orchard & Berry Farm

Photograph: Courtesy Megan Laurie

Travel time: 2.5 hours by car

This family-owned picking hotspot in Sharon, CT, has strawberries and cherries in June and July, followed by raspberries, blueberries, plums and peaches later in the summer. Kids will love the farm’s vintage Lionel model train display. 461 Cornwall Bridge Rd, Rte 4, Sharon, CT (860-364-0025, ellsworthfarm.com).

4. Bishop’s Orchards

Photograph: Shutterstock

Travel time: 3 hours by car

The PYO season at Bishop’s starts with strawberries, followed by blueberries, raspberries and plus peaches, then apples and pumpkins in the fall. Check the website for the latest fruit-filled info. 480 New England Rd in Guilford (203-453-2338, or 203-458-PICK, bishoporchards.com).

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5. Rose's Berry Farm

Photograph: Erica Gannett

Travel time: 3 hours by car

This pick-your-own paradise is located in South Glastonbury, CT, and offers acres upon acres of delicious berries…especially blueberries! 40 acres of blueberry plants, people! OK—back to the strawberries. Rose’s offers strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, apples and more depending on the season (June and July are the best times for strawberries!) 1200 Hebron Ave, Glastonbury, CT (860-633-7467, rosesberryfarm.com).

More PYO fun nearby

The best strawberry picking in NY

Things to do

Go strawberry picking NY style! While most New Yorkers may think that the strawberry picking in NY is limited to the little plants they illegally tend on their fire escapes, there are actually plenty of places for pick-your-own strawberries right near the city.

The best strawberry picking in NJ

Kids

Photograph: Shutterstock

Looking to get outdoors–and snack on delicious sun-ripened fruit–all while maintaining a generous social distance? Then head for the hills of New Jersey, where the PYO strawberry farms are bountiful! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to where to pick your own fruits and vegetables near NYC No question about it, a PYO farm is the perfect summer destination for your family this year! If you're new to the PYO scene, the season starts off with strawberries and the best summertime cherry picking NY families love, then the best blueberry picking in New York and beyond! A PYO adventure can be just part of your seasonal fun. This is the time to check out the best beaches for kids in and around NYC, the best hiking trails for NYC families to explore and the best family camping spots near NYC. We're here to help you make the most of this summer!

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The best peach picking near NYC

Things to do

Photograph: Shutterstock

NOTE: Please note that hours and rules are subject to change in 2020. Please call ahead before making a visit. What's sweeter than peach picking near NYC? Well, blueberry and strawberry picking are equally as delightful during the summer. If you have a hankering for fresh produce and want to spend some time outdoors with the kiddos, check out the local farms in your area for PYO hours and rules (many of which have changed this year). Not only will you head home with a bushel of fruit, but the adventure makes for a great day trip. Check out our list and enjoy! RECOMMENDED: Full pick your own guide for families When is peach season? In New York and New Jersey, peaches are usually available for picking from late July through late August/early September. Remember to call before leaving the house to make sure peaches are available for picking at your preferred farm. (Read: Avoid disappointment). For even more family fun, explore our list of the best day trips for kids and cheap playdate ideas.

The best blueberry picking in New York and beyond

Things to do

Photograph: Courtesy Unsplash + veeterzy

Call before making a visit, as hours and services are subject to change. While it's practically impossible to resist a sweet summer strawberry, let's not let the popular fruit hog all of the attention: Blueberry picking in New York—and the surrounding area—is equally as delightful, and if you're craving homemade sweets, stop by your local farm for a bushel of berries. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to where to pick your own fruits and vegetables near NYC July and August are the perfect time to head into the fields to gather some fresh produce. However, things might look different this year. Always be sure to call ahead, as new PYO rules are in place at various locations, including reservations, assigned destinations and no-pets policies. Happy harvest! (Psst: Be sure to check out these bike paths and hiking trails, too!)

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The best summertime cherry picking NY families love

Things to do

Photograph: Shutterstock

What better way to escape the city than by spending the day at one of the best cherry-picking spots close to NYC? After all, going to a PYO farm is guaranteed summertime fun for the fam. The kids get to be active and snacky, while the grownups can do their best to save enough fruit to make a crumble at home. Remember, cherries are only a part of the PYO scene—you'll also want to go strawberry picking in New York and hit the best blueberry picking in NY and beyond. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to where to pick your own fruits and vegetables near NYC We can all agree that this is the summer to spend time outside. If you're looking for more family adventures, check out the best beaches for kids in and around NYC, or head to one of the best hiking trails for NYC families to explore!

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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