If you’re the type of cider fan who likes to lean all the way into autumn (it’s such a fleeting season, after all!), there is no greater joy than visiting an orchard where you can both pick your own apples and enjoy a refreshing hard cider afterwards.
In New York State, there are a number of places where you can do just that, soaking up as many fall vibes as humanly possible, with ample crisp air, beautiful foliage, charming farm stores, and basically just all-apple-everything.
Button up your favorite flannel and get ready for a lovely country day at one of these cideries in NY that are also U-pick orchards!
Indian Ladder Farm Cidery & Brewery
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This destination cidery in the Catskills has literally everything we dream of when we think of autumn: pick-your-own apples (so many varieties, too, like Jonagold, Cortland, Honeycrisp and more), PYO pumpkins, a nature trail, tons of events and a farm store stocked with tasty local goodies. On top of all of that, Indian Ladder is home to an on-site cidery and brewery, with six amazing options on draft, like Goldenboy, a single-varietal cider made with Golden Russet apples. There’s craft beer, as well as an impressive food menu. Grab a table in the tasting room, or enjoy the sunshine in the biergarten. 342 Altamont Rd., Altamont, NY; (518) 765-2956.
Grisamore Cider Works & Farm
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Nestled into the Finger Lakes region, find Grisamore Cider Works and just across the road, Grisamore Farms. This family-run operation has been tending to its apple orchards, which were planted in 1975, for generations, and these same apple trees are what bear the fruit that Grisamore Cider Works uses in its small-batch fermentations. Visit the tasting room, which is open on the weekends, and pop over to the farm for apple picking — other seasonal U-pick crops include strawberries, blueberries and cherries. Don’t leave without checking out its beloved farm store in a 19th-century barn, bedecked with antiques and farm tools, and selling plants, produce, groceries, gifts and more. (farm) 749 Cowan Rd., Locke, NY: (315) 497-1347; (cidery) 4069 Goose St., Locke, NY.
Slyboro Ciderhouse
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Slyboro Ciderhouse, sitting just to the East of Lake George, has a cozy tasting room at Hicks Orchard, New York State’s oldest U-pick orchard. This family-oriented spot is open all fall with apple picking, outdoor campfires, award-winning cider donuts, events and so much more. Make a whole day of it by loading up with apples in the orchards, then settling into Slyboro for a glass or two of cider, like its Rose & Sky (semi-dry and richly fruited sparkling cider) or Night Pasture (complex and dry still cider). 18 Hicks Rd., Granville, NY; (518) 642-1788.
Rose Hill Ferments
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Set off a country road in a lovely corner of the Hudson Valley is Rose Hill Farm, a pick-your-own orchard with a wide array of crops, including berries, peaches, plums and lots and lots of kinds of apples. The holistically managed orchards are open for PYO every weekend, and also offer a cider donut shack (ugh, are there any more beautiful words?) and food truck pop-ups. Also on-site, you’ll find the taproom for Rose Hill Ferments, which makes all sorts of wonderful ciders and wines with estate-grown fruit. The taproom, also open on weekends, is situated in a beautiful barn and is an extremely comfy place to kick it after apple-picking. 14-19 Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook, NY; (845) 758-4215.
Woodside Orchards
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This family-owned and -operated orchard on Long Island has been doing its apple-tastic thing since 1982! Epic baked goods, including superb cider donuts? Check. Acres of apple orchards for U-pick? Check. Housemade hard cider served in a cute tasting room? Check, and double-check. After enjoying the fresh air, head inside for hard cider flights, pints or growlers to-go! Woodside’s ciders range from dry and crisp to sweet and fruity. There’s also a dog-friendly outdoor seating area, though FYI: dogs are not permitted in the orchards. 729 Rte. 25, Aquebogue, NY; (631) 722-5770.
Where else have you been in New York State that has U-pick apples and a cidery? Let us know!
- Feature photo: Bigstock