HudsonValleyGoodStuff

Fraleigh's Rose Hill Farm in Red Hook: Big apples, friendly staff & lots of apple pickers!

 

Picking directions

Big and juicy golden delicious apples!

 

 

Pumpkin Picking too

 

We ended up apple picking at Rose Hill Farm in Red Hook for the first time last weekend. It felt like it was going to rain any second so I felt a bit rushed, but I was able to pick huge golden delicious apples from their trees using one of those apple picking catchers. These apples were huge, and eating one is really like eating two of them! I paid $18 for this bag because I was a few apples short of a $19.99 bag.

The staff are very friendly, and take their time making small talk with all the customers. I heard someone say that there were empire apples further down the way, but I didn't have time or energy to find them. If you go be sure to check their website or call them to make sure they have the fruit that you want to pick. Anything can happen with this crazy weather!  

I'm very happy witht the apples I picked at Rose Hill Farm. The place I usually go to for apple picking is Cedar Heights in Rhinebeck, and they are already closed for the season.  (FYI, Cedar Heights is less crowded and is better for photo opportunities because the trees are more spaced out and the landscape is breath taking). Fraleigh's Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook, NY 12571 (845) 758-4215

Apple Picking at DuBois Farm in Highland: Plenty of juicy apples, pumpkins & people!

DuBois Farms in Highland has plenty of juicy apples for picking! We went apple picking yesterday in the middle of a short rain storm. We followed signs that read "DuBois Farm Festival" that led us into the parking lot. The place was packed with tourists  happily lugging around their kid in carts. I could not find an available cart, but found the stand where you can rent one of these stick things to get the apples and a green cloth bags. There is plenty I didn't see though. The rain threw us off so we got tired quickly and went back to the car. Next time I will try a sample from their bakery and explore the grounds a bit more. See their website for more info. 

We left there with two huge bags of red apples. Total cost= $29. Now all I need is a good recipe for apple pie!

Cedar Heights Orchards Apple Picking in Rhinebeck: Beautiful orchard is all picked out!

I ate and picked bags of apples at Cedar Heights Orchards in Rhinebeck last year, but when I took the kids apple picking there last week, I saw a note on the stand saying "almost all picked out." Undeterred, we paid anyway, and drove up to see what we could find. We found enough to fill a small bag, but pickings were slim and the apples were tiny. Maybe we were late to the party or the orchard took a beating from Irene.  Now, they have made it official on their website that they are done for the season. 

A friend of mine just went to Wrights Farms in Gardiner and reports that there are still plenty of big apples to be picked.  I will try to make a day trip soon. I know Maynard Farms has great apple picking because the kids went there on a field trip recently so I am up to my ears in yummy apples! Also try Kelder's Farm, which I blogged about recently. I think it is always a good idea to call ahead and/or check the website to check on the picking situation. If you are too lazy to pick, they're is always Adam's.

Where do you like to go apple picking in the Hudson Valley?