Encouraging your family to get moving can be tough! Between cell phones and video games, kids make it seem like going outside is a chore. Our favorite trick to get the family moving is to incorporate exercise into a fun family outing.
And what better way to get the family moving than fruit picking! Spend time with the family, and come home with a tasty (and healthy) treat. We’ve put together our favorite fruit picking destinations. With different fruits in season all spring, summer and fall, you’re sure to find a destination for all times of the year.
Late Spring and Summer: Berry and Peach Picking
Spring might seem too early to head out for some fruit picking with the family, but it’s actually prime season for one of our favorite fruits: strawberries! Strawberry picking typically runs from late May throughout June, but it does vary from farm to farm, so be sure to check.
Summer brings the rest of our favorite berries and peaches into full bloom. Throughout the summer months you can get the family together for:
- Raspberry picking: July to Mid-August
- Blackberry picking: Mid-July to August
- Blueberry picking: July to August
- Peach picking: Mid-July to Mid-September
Check out these farms for your next family outing.
Stop by Patty’s to pick your own berries with the family. Patty offers pick your own between June and August from 9am to 5:30pm. Before you head over, be sure to check Patty’s picking reports, to see which berries are in season and how plentiful they are. After getting your workout in, stop by Patty’s Ice Cream Patch for a treat to cool off.
410 Sound Avenue
Mattituck, NY 11952
Condzella’s grows nine varieties of strawberries and takes extra care to keep them free of dirt and safe for your family to enjoy. Strawberry picking runs from June - early July, 9am-5pm. Stop by between June and late August for an opportunity to pick more of your favorite berries.
6233 North Country Road
Wading River, NY 11792
Lewin Farms was the first pick your own farm on Long Island, and they continue to offer a wide variety of fruit picking including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and peaches. U-pick fields are open from 9 to 4:30pm. Lewin Farms features family fun all year round with a corn maze and pumpkin picking in fall, as well as a Christmas tree farm in winter.
812 Sound Avenue
Calverton, NY 11933
Wickham’s Fruit Farm is a historical gem, with parts of the farm dating back to 1661. On top of their wide variety of produce, Wickham’s also has cheese from local farms, fresh made baked goods and the oldest Cider Press on Long Island. Berry picking and peach picking are available from June through October. Stop by Monday through Saturday between 9am and 4pm.
28700 Route 25
Cutchogue, NY 11935
Visit Glover Farms for strawberry season throughout the month of June. While roaming through Glover Farms you and your family will get a chance to see farm equipment up close and interact with some of the animals. Strawberry picking is available every day from 10am - 6pm.
633 Victory Avenue
Brookhaven, NY
Bhavana Berries is the largest hand-pick blueberry orchard in Suffolk County, Long Island, with over 30 acres of farmland and six varieties of blueberries. In fact, Bhavana is a Sanskrit word meaning fertile farmland. The farm is open daily, 9am to 6pm, for blueberry picking during July and August. You can even give the gift of blueberry picking with a u-pick gift card to Bhavana Berries.
4395 Hortons Ln
Southold, NY 11971
Fall Apple and Pumpkin Picking in Suffolk County, Long Island
We love fall because it means trips to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch. Apple picking runs from September to late October and pumpkin picking lasts throughout October - just in time for Halloween! If you prefer fruit picking in the cooler weather, check out some of the best farms for apple and pumpkin picking.
Krupski Farms is a family farm which grows local produce including corn and tomatoes. In Halloween, they open up their farm for the fall festivities. Krupski Farms offers pumpkin picking, a corn maze, haunted barn and hay rides. On your way out, grab some veggies to incorporate into fresh, home cooked meal. Contact Krupski Farms for their updated hours of operation.
38030 New York State Route 25
Peconic, NY 11958
The Schmitt Family Farms hosts an annual Fall Festival from late September through October. Visit and enjoy pumpkin picking every day of the week, tasty fall treats and family friendly activities including bouncy houses and duck races.
6 Bagatelle Road,
Dix Hills, NY 11746
Visit Windy Acres Farm for apple picking in September and October or pumpkin picking through October. Windy Acres Farm has a strong commitment to environmentally responsible farming and is one of the few pick your own orchards with apples grown according to organic standards. Come visit any day of the week from 9am-6pm.
3810 Middle Country Rd. (Rt. 25)
Calverton, NY 11933
Harbes Orchard features fun for the whole family with a spooky maze, pony rides and a huge variety of apples available through the season. Visit Harbes Orchard on weekends between September 1st and October 28th. Farm hours run from 9am - 6pm.
5698 Sound Ave
Riverhead NY 11901
Like the name suggests, this farm has pick your own pumpkins of all sizes, but it is also home to an apple orchard. They grow a wide variety of apples perfect for everything from cooking to adding into salads. Apple picking is open every Saturday and Sunday, 9:30am to 6pm, from September 9th to October 29th. Pumpkin picking is available 7 days a week.
240 Montauk Hwy.
Watermill, NY 11976
Other Family Friendly Outdoor Activities
Fruit picking is a fun way to get outside with the family, but a trip out to a farm can be a big task when you have little kids. If you want to enjoy the outdoors and fresh food without trekking across town, consider visiting a local farmers market or summer festival like the 64th Annual Mattituck Strawberry Festival.
Get Your Family Moving with the Long Island Health Collaborative
Our goal at the Long Island Health Collaborative is to encourage exercise and healthy lifestyles for residents of Long Island. If you’re looking for ways to add more walking into your life visit our Walking Resources page.
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