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Photograph: Courtesy Unsplash + veeterzy
Photograph: Courtesy Unsplash + veeterzy

The best blueberry picking in New York and beyond

Get ready for blueberry picking in New York and the tristate area with a trip to a few of our go-to farms

Allie Early
Written by Danielle Valente & Allie Early
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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!)

Blueberry picking near NYC

Kelder's Farm & U-Pick

Kelder's Farm & U-Pick
Kelder's Farm & U-Pick
Photograph: Courtesy Pixabay + Free-Photos

Travel time: 2 hours 45 min by car from NYC. Learn more about 2020 season passes and reservations online. 

Blueberry season is in full swing at Kelder's from July to September. Before you make the trip, you'll want to ready an empty basket for a few fistfuls of delicious fruit. But fortunately for adventurous families, the attraction offers a lot more than produce. When you and your little ones are finished stocking up on berries, there are plenty of fun options to keep the kiddos entertained, including a petting zoo, jumping pillow and mini golf. For the thrill-seekers (and older members of the clan), make a pitstop at the farm's apple cannons, which launch Granny Smiths into the air at over 100mph! Neat! (Note that this is not a feature that is available daily.)

Kelder's Farm & U-Pick, Kerhonkson, NY (kelderfarm.com). Hours: Daily 10am–6pm. 

Fishkill Farms

Fishkill Farms
Fishkill Farms
Photograph: Courtesy Pixabay + Couleur

Travel time: 2 hours by car from NYC. Learn more about 2020 reservations online. 

Take an August day trip to fill up on blueberries, blackberries and peaches at Fishkill Farms. For $5 per person, families can venture onto the grounds for a PYO bonanza. Be sure to stock up on the less common options, including plums and nectarines. Before heading home, you'll want to browse the offerings in the store, including candy and freshly-made apple cider doughnuts, which are available daily. Before you make the trip, visit the farm's website to learn about picking availability, as each fruit's season comes in waves. 

Fishkill Farms, Hopewell Junction, NY (fishkillfarms.com). PYO: Daily 9am–5pm.

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Lewin Farms

Lewin Farms
Lewin Farms
Photograph: Courtesy Shutterstock

Travel time: 2.5 hours by car from NYC. Learn more about 2020 picking rules online. 

No matter the time of year, Lewin Farms always has something delightful to offer its visitors. The late summer, early fall season allows PYO enthusiasts to take advantage of sweet blueberries, blackberries and peaches. Veggies like peppers and eggplant are also up for grabs. Even when your favorite produce is no longer in season, a cold-weather outing is in order, as Lewin Farms hosts an annual corn maze and PYO Christmas trees when the holidays roll around.  

Lewin Farms, Wading River, NY (lewinfarm.com). PYO: Daily 9am–4:30pm.

Ochs Orchard

Travel time: 1 hour 45 min by car from NYC. Learn more about the 2020 picking rules online. 

A short drive from NYC and you'll feel like you're in another world thanks to Ochs Orchard's bucolic views overlooking the Warwick Valley. While soaking up time outside, grab a basket and stock up on PYO options including blueberries, tomatoes, peaches, squash and other offerings, all of which vary in price by pound. You'll want to finish your trip with a delightful picnic on the grounds. Ochs recommends calling ahead before a PYO outing, as availability is subject to change. 

Ochs Orchard, Warwick, NY (orchorchard.net). PYO: Wed–Sun 9am–5pm, cash only.

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Greig Farm

Greig Farm
Greig Farm
Photograph: Courtesy Shutterstock

Travel time: 2 hours 45 min by car from NYC. Learn more about the 2020 picking rules online. 

Greig Farm is a true veteran when it comes to PYO. It’s been in the business for more than 60 years, planting only the best varieties for visitors to taste! Pick sweet blueberries to your heart's desire through August, and don't forget to grab some raspberries and blackberries through August as well. As an added bonus for the kids, the Farm has adorable teeny tiny pygmy goats to visit behind GiGi Market (227 Pitcher Ln). 

Greig Farm, Red Hook, NY (greigfarm.com). PYO: Daily 8am–8pm.

Thompson-Finch Farm

Thompson-Finch Farm
Thompson-Finch Farm
Photograph: Courtesy Pixabay + liggraphy

Travel time: 2 hours 45 min by car from NYC. Learn about the new 2020 picking rules online. 

July and August are the best times to visit Thompson-Finch Farm for plump blueberries. This five generation family-owned farm is worth a visit not only for its delicious berries, but for its sprawling views and dedication to eco-friendliness. They even have a biodeisel-fueled tractor that uses waste oils from several nearby restaurants and a school. Pretty awesome. 

Thompson-Finch Farm, Ancram, NY (thompsonfinch.com). PYO: Wednesdays, Saturdays 8am–noon. 

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Mead Orchards

Mead Orchards
Mead Orchards
Photograph: Courtesy Shutterstock

Travel time: 2 hours 50 min by car from NYC. Learn more about 2020 picking rules online. 

With 180 acres of fruit and vegetable farm to explore, Mead Orchards is definitely worth the trip. From June through November, fruits and berries are available for pick-your-own on weekends. Blueberries will be available for U-Pick from late June through the middle of August, followed by apples and pumpkins in the fall.

 Mead Orchards, Tivoli, NY (meadorchards.com). PYO: Sat, Sun 10am–6pm.

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Blueberry picking NJ

Alstede Farms

Alstede Farms
Alstede Farms
Photograph: Courtesy Pixabay + congerdesign

Travel time: 1 hours 33 min by car from NYC. Learn more about 2020 picking tickets online. 

With an impressive harvest lineup each year—including blueberries, peas, apples, tomatoes and flowers, to name a few—this Jersey PYO destination is one for the books. Thanks to a variety of features, you'll find plenty of things to do on the 600 acres of farmland, including a cider mill, corn maze and a farm store boasting sweets and homemade ice cream. Be sure to visit the website for a lineup of seasonal events and live entertainment. 

Alstede Farms, Chester, NJ (alstedefarms.com). PYO: Daily, various hours.

Terhune Orchards

Terhune Orchards
Terhune Orchards
Photograph: Courtesy Pixabay + Free-Photos

Travel time: 2.5 hours by car from NYC. Learn more about 2020 picking rules online. 

This 225-acre farm has plenty for you and the kids to enjoy!  Pick your own blueberries, strawberries and cherries are available, and come July, you’ll find juicy blackberries, too! After you’re done picking, check out the farm’s sheep, goats, horse, ducks and chickens, then try out pedal tractors and stationary tractors nearby. 

Princeton, NJ (terhuneorchards.com). PYO: Call for availability. 

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Johnson's Corner Farm

Johnson's Corner Farm
Johnson's Corner Farm
Photograph: Courtesy Pixabay + Couleur

Travel time: 2 hours by car from NYC. Learn about 2020 reservations online. 

Stop by in July while the pickings are good! This farm also offers sweet corn and peaches depending on the season. Hayride and Barnyard access are available for a small fee.

Johnson's Corner Farm, Medford, NJ (johnsonsfarm.com). PYO: Various hours, see website for details.

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Blueberry picking CT

March Farm

March Farm
March Farm
Photograph: Courtesy Shutterstock

Travel time: 2 hours 45 min by car from NYC. Learn more about the 2020 picking rules online. 

This CT staple offers plenty of fruit for the picking! Located in the rolling hills of Litchfield County, March Farm offers a farmer’s market and bakery with delicious baked goods and preserves, plus blueberries and strawberries in the summer. When you’re done picking your loot, head over to the Hayloft Playscape, where you’ll find a mini hayloft, mini schoolhouses, slides, swings and more for the kiddos to climb on. 

March Farm, Bethlehem, CT (marchfarm.com). PYO: Various times, see website for details.

Silverman's Farm

Silverman's Farm
Silverman's Farm
Photograph: Courtesy Pixabay + NickyPe

Travel time: 2 hours by car from NYC. Check for updates on the 2020 picking season online. 

There's plenty to see at Silverman's Farm in Easton! U Pick raspberries are available in late June, peaches in mid July and blueberries and apples in August. During the fall, you'll find pumpkins and tractor rides, and in winter, enjoy freshly cut Christmas trees, wreaths and more. Year-round, kids can also see, pet or feed animals like llamas, alpacas, sheep, goats and exotic birds at Silverman's Animal Farm for a small fee.

Silverman's Farm, Easton, CT (silvermansfarm.com). PYO: Various times, call ahead.

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Evergreen Berry Farm

Evergreen Berry Farm
Evergreen Berry Farm
Photograph: Courtesy Pixabay + Couleur

Travel time: 2 hours 45 min by car from NYC. Learn about the 2020 picking rules online. 

There's plenty to enjoy on the nearly-30 acres of field, forest and ponds of Evergreen Berry Farm. The rustic Connecticut attraction specializes in berries and lets patrons pick their own blueberries, red raspberries, blackberries and black raspberries—a unique find that's not typically available at most destinations. Visit the website for for a no-bake blueberry pie recipe that you can tackle with the kids. 

Evergreen Berry Farm, Watertown, CT (evergreenberryfarm.com). PYO: Call for availability.

Jones Family Farms

Jones Family Farms
Jones Family Farms
Photograph: Courtesy Pixabay + Free-Photos

Travel time: 2 hours 15 min by car. Learn more about the 2020 picking rules online. 

Take a trip to Jones Family Farms for some delicious berries this season. It offers blueberries and strawberries during the summer months, and you even get a ride on the Berry Ferry when you're headed out to the fields. The farm also has pumpkin picking and Christmas trees, depending on the time of your visit. As an added bonus, there’s also an on-site winery should you want to do some sampling! 

Jones Family Farms, Shelton, CT (jonesfamilyfarms.com). PYO: Tues–Sat, call ahead for hours.

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Lyman Orchards

Lyman Orchards
Lyman Orchards
Photograph: Courtesy Pixabay + congerdesign

Travel time: 2.5 hours by car from NYC. Learn about the 2020 picking rules online. 

Owned and operated by the Lyman Family since 1741, this family business is recognized as the 12th oldest in America. Strawberries are available June through early July, and after that you’ll find jostaberries, blueberries and raspberries during summer months. For those with a penchant for golf, there’s also Lyman Orchards Golf Club nearby. When the littles are done finding delicious berries, they'll love wandering through the field of 350,000 red and yellow sunflowers, especially since its currently paying tribute to Sesame Street's 50th anniversary! Kids will sing their favorite songs, learn about characters like Elmo and Big Bird and enjoy more muppet fun! Note that the maze ends on Aug 25. 

Lyman Orchards, Middlefield, CT (lymanorchards.com). PYO: Call for availability. 

Bishop's Orchards

Bishop's Orchards
Bishop's Orchards
Photograph: Courtesy Shutterstock

Travel time: 2.5 hours by car from NYC. Learn more about the 2020 picking season online. 

Blueberries are the first PYO fruit of the season at Bishop’s, and the picking is great from the middle of July through late August. Later in the summer season, the Orchards also have PYO raspberries, plus peaches, apples and pumpkins in the fall. If you're visiting between September and June, be sure to pick up some of Bishop's homemade apple cider.

Bishops Orchards, Northford, CT (bishoporchards.com). Open weekends only, call ahead for details.

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