If your perfect weekend smells like warm cinnamon sugar and crushed leaves, welcome home. I spend most fall days chasing peak foliage, crisp bites, and the soft nudge of a curious goat—and the Hudson Valley never disappoints. Below is a locals-first guide to the very best farms for u-pick fruit, pumpkin patches, friendly animals, and dangerously good cider donuts across Orange, Ulster, and Dutchess counties.

How to time it (like a local)

• Apples: Late August through mid-November, with many orchards open daily. Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery

• Pumpkins: Usually late September–October; some farms require tickets on peak weekends. Soons Orchardsweedorchards.com

• General tip: Check each farm’s site for hours/reservations—policies change with the crop and weather. (I’ve noted highlights and links below.)

Orange County Favorites (Warwick • Goshen • Newburgh • New Hampton)

Apple Ridge Orchards – Warwick
Classic Hudson Valley vibes: hay wagon rides, pumpkin patch, friendly farm animals, and those fresh cider donuts after you pick. Great for photos and little kids. Apple Ridge Orchards+1

Ochs Orchard – Warwick
A true local’s pick: daily u-pick in season, a small petting zoo with goats/donkeys/peacocks, and cider donuts on weekends. Don’t skip the house-made ice cream. Ochs Orchard+2Ochs Orchard+2

Masker Orchards – Warwick
Over 100 years of apple-picking tradition spread across rolling hills. Look for their on-site updates (yes, they literally broadcast orchard info on FM 87.9). Masker Orchards+1

Pennings Farm Market & Orchard – Warwick
A full day in one stop: u-pick apples (in season), a market, grill, and bakery turning out hot cider donuts. Live music and events pop up often. Pennings Farm Market

Wright Family Farm – Warwick
Come for the pumpkins and the 5-acre corn maze; stay for farm fun and seasonal cider donuts. Perfect October energy. Wright Family Farm

Apple Dave’s Orchards & Distillery – Warwick
Pick apples, wander lakeside trails, then unwind with a craft cider or cocktail. Warm cider donuts + weekend music = chef’s kiss. (Pups are welcome outdoors; check rules before you go.) Apple Dave's Orchard & Distillery+1

Lawrence Farms Orchards – Newburgh
Wide crop diversity, a mini “Little Village,” playful goats, and house-made cider doughnuts—easy to fill a whole day here. Lawrence Farms Orchards+1

Soons Orchards – New Hampton
A beloved stop for u-pick apples & pumpkins, a taproom pouring orchard-made ciders, and a farm market/ice-cream shop to sweeten the trip. Soons Orchards

Ulster County Gems (Marlboro • Modena • Highland • Kerhonkson)

Weed Orchards & Winery – Marlboro
Pick-your-own with a backyard vibe—playground, live music weekends, hayrides, and yes, cider donuts. Some events are ticketed; check ahead. weedorchards.com+1

Hurds Family Farm – Modena
Seven generations strong. U-pick apples and pumpkins, bounce pillows, corn maze, hayrides—and famous apple cider donuts. Family-fun central. Pick Your Own+1

DuBois Farms – Highland
No admission fee, abundant u-pick, petting zoo, wagon rides, and warm cider donuts from the café bakery. A consistent crowd pleaser. Dubois Farms+2Dubois Farms+2

Kelder’s Farm – Kerhonkson
Farm-animal encounters (goats, donkeys, alpacas), a giant jumping pillow, and seasonal treats—including cider donuts. Kids lose their minds (in the best way). Kelder's Farm+1Instagram

Wilklow Orchards – Highland
Six generations farming this hillside. U-pick apples, a cozy bakery turning out cider donuts and jams, and a mellow, homey feel. Wilklow Orchards+1

Dutchess County Classics (Hopewell Junction • Poughquag • Red Hook)

Fishkill Farms – Hopewell Junction
Organic-leaning heritage farm with PYO by reservation and the Treasury Cider Bar on site. Stunning views and festival energy in peak season. Fishkill Farms+1

Barton Orchards – Poughquag
175 acres of fun; their “Apple Core” farm stand is open year-round—meaning cider donuts any time. Check the event calendar for festivals and tree-top adventures. Barton Orchards+1

Greig Farm – Red Hook
Goat-feeding behind the market (bring quarters), leisurely trails, seasonal hayrides, and a café where cider donuts meet hearty farm lunches. Greig Farm+1

Build a perfect day (mini-itineraries)

• Warwick Loop (Orange): Start at Apple Ridge for animals & donuts → lunch at Pennings → golden-hour stroll + sips at Apple Dave’s → quick petting-zoo stop at Ochs. Apple Ridge OrchardsPennings Farm MarketApple Dave's Orchard & DistilleryOchs Orchard

• Marlboro–Highland (Ulster): Pick at Weed Orchards → donuts + playground → hop to DuBois for petting zoo & warm donuts → sunset U-pick at Wilklow. weedorchards.comDubois FarmsWilklow Orchards

• Beacon/Poughkeepsie (Dutchess): Reserve Fishkill Farms PYO → cider bar break → donuts at Barton → head to Greig for goat-time and farm-trail strolls. Fishkill FarmsBarton OrchardsGreig Farm

Quick FAQs

Where can I definitely find cider donuts?
Apple Ridge, Lawrence Farms, Barton, Ochs, Hurds, DuBois, and more bake them in season; Barton’s “Apple Core” even sells them year-round. Always check day-of. Apple Ridge OrchardsLawrence Farms OrchardsBarton OrchardsOchs OrchardPick Your OwnDubois Farms

Can I bring my dog?
Policies vary by farm. Example: Apple Dave’s welcomes well-behaved pups in outdoor areas; Ochs does not allow dogs in picking fields. Verify before visiting. Apple Dave's Orchard & DistilleryOchs Orchard

Do I need tickets?
Some places (especially on peak weekends) require admission or reservations—Weed Orchards and several large orchards post ticket info on their sites. weedorchards.com

Pro tips from the trail

• Arrive early or hit weekdays to avoid lines for donuts and hayrides.

• Pack a small cooler (cider & pies ride home safer that way).

• Bring quarters for goat feed and cash for small stands; not every register is card-ready. hvparent.com

• Wear boots you don’t mind muddy and bring garden shears for pumpkin stems (some patches don’t pre-cut).

Sources & farm pages

Apple Ridge Orchards; Ochs Orchard; Masker Orchards; Pennings Farm; Wright Family Farm; Soons Orchards; Lawrence Farms Orchards; Apple Dave’s; Weed Orchards & Winery; Hurds Family Farm; DuBois Farms; Kelder’s Farm; Wilklow Orchards; Fishkill Farms; Barton Orchards. (Linked and referenced throughout.) Apple Ridge Orchards Ochs Orchard Masker Orchards Pennings Farm Market Wright Family Farm Soons Orchards Lawrence Farms Orchards Apple Dave's Orchard & Distillery weedorchards.com Pick Your Own Dubois Farms Kelder's Farm Wilklow Orchards Fishkill Farms Barton Orchards