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It’s sweater weather, y’all! Hit the road (with a designated driver) to taste the brews, wines and ciders of farms and orchards less than three hours away!
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best weekend getaways from NYC
Angry Orchard
The popular hard cider has a 60-acre orchard in the Hudson Valley where visitors can watch the magic unfold—for free! The locale hosts a free evening music series, Fresh Pressed Fridays, through October and celebrates Harvest Fest on October 15 at 2pm ($45) with Matisyahu and the season’s four concoctions on tap.
2241 Albany Post Rd, Walden, NY (888-845-3311, angryorchard.com). Wed–Sun 11am–6pm.
Hilltop Orchards
The Berkshires’ Hilltop Orchards has 200 acres and 26 varieties of apples for your picking pleasure, some of which are used to create its Furnace Brook Winery “grown-up apple juice,” like Johnny Mash Original American Cider and Apple Ice Wine. Nosh on freshly made cider doughnuts, and wash them down with a free tasting of northeastern varietal wines produced on the farm.
508 Canaan Rd, Richmond, MA (800-833-6274, hilltoporchards.com). Daily 9am–5pm.
Hyland Orchard & Brewery
Resident brewery Rapscallion has all taste buds covered with six seasonal brews and six mainstays. Enjoy a glass in the taproom and watch the orchard come live with an assortment of live music on the weekends.
199 Arnold Rd, Sturbridge, MA (774-200-1909, hylandorchard.com). Visit website for schedule.
Weed Orchards & Winery
Pick fruits, vegetables and flowers, and taste wine, craft beer and house-made hard cider at the winery. A festival with music, food, a corn maze and hayrides takes place every weekend in October, and you can also head two miles north to the family’s original homestead in Milton, New York (444 Old Indian Rd) to pick apples and pumpkins, then picnic by the pond.
43 Mount Zion Rd, Marlboro, NY (845-236-2684, weedorchards.com). Pick your own fruit: daily 10am–5pm. Winery: Fri–Sun noon–5pm.