The Time Is Ripe: Where to Pick Your Own Berries Near NYC

For Berries with a Side of Blooms: Patty’s Berries & Bunches

This 40-acre Long Island farm is filled with over 24 different types of berries throughout the summer and early fall. For $7.50, pickers gain entry to the berry patch and a quart container to fill; you can also buy pre-picked berries at the farm stand. Patty's "bunches" are flowers, which are sold pre-picked and include blossoms such as sunflowers, dahlias and zinnias. The farm also features an "Ice Cream Patch", where visitors can buy scoops of seasonal flavors like "sugar snap pea" and "blackberry sage." Patty's has art activities for kids, and you can also pay $7.50 to stroll the flower fields and get your picture-perfect Insta-moment. They are open daily, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 40 mins

410 Sound Ave.
Mattituck, NY
631-655-7996
Online: pattysberriesandbunches.org

For Berries & Lots More Fresh Produce: Lewin Farms

A family-run farm for four generations, Lewin Farms was the first U-pick farm on Long Island. Spanning 1,100 acres, this Suffolk County farm grows pretty much everything (including Christmas trees later in the year) but from late June through August is when it's got strawberries (limited supply), blueberries, raspberries and blackberries for the picking. Call the farm to get a pre-recorded message with picking conditions that's updated daily. Note: U-pick fields are cash only. There is an ATM at the farm stand. Open daily, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; closed Tuesdays.

Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 50 mins

812 Sound Ave.
Calverton, NY
631-929-4327
Online: www.lewinfarm.com

For All Kinds and Colors of Berries: Ochs Orchard

Early summer is strawberry time at Ochs, although supplies are also limited this year. You can also pick blueberries, blackberries and raspberries here, as well as veggies, peaches and tomatoes. Flowers are for sale at the farm stand, and Ochs makes homemade ice cream from fruit grown on-site. You can also stop by and say hi to the farm animals that live here. The farm recommends calling or checking Facebook for availability before heading out. Admission for pick-your-own is $5 for ages four and up, with $3 credited to your purchase. Containers can be bought or your can bring your own. 

Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 30 mins

4 Ochs Ln.
Warwick, NY
845-986-1591
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Picking days can change week to week, so call ahead)
Online: www.ochsorchard.net

For Berries Now & Peaches & Apples Later: Lawrence Farms Orchards

This family-owned farm in the Hudson Valley has roots going back to 1892. You can get all kinds of fruit here: cherries, strawberries, raspberries, peaches, plums, apples—and veggies too! They are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily. General admission is $7 per person Monday- Thursday, and $10 per person Friday - Sunday. Kids ages two and younger are free. Note that the GPS address is 306 Frozen Ridge Rd, Newburgh, NY. 

Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 45 minutes

39 Colandrea Rd. 
Newburgh, NY 
845-562-4268
Online: lawrencefarmsorchards.org

For Pesticide-Free Berries: Fishkill Farms

Fishkill Farms is doing you-pick by reservation only, Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations are booked up to seven days in advance, and there is a maximum of five people per party, which includes kids ages two and up. You get an hour to pick your fruit, which is capped at four quarts. Cost is $45. Don't be more than 15 minutes late or you lose your spot! 

Devoted to the practice of ecological farming, Fishkill says its berries are "beyond organic", which means as much as possible, they try to grow berries "spray-free." In addition to strawberries, raspberries and currants, the farm also offers a selection of great summer herbs, vegetables, flowers and it now has a Treasury Cider Bar.  Check the farm's Facebook page for the latest news on prime picking. Open daily, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 30 mins.

9 Fishkill Farm Rd.
Hopewell JCT, NY
845-897-4377
Online: www.fishkillfarms.com

For Berries, Veggies & a Giant Garden Gnome

Kelder's farm offers pick-your-own berries and veggies, along with lots of activities for the kids. You must make a reservation, which gets you access to all the activities (mini-golf, jumping pillow, etc.) and a pint of u-pick produce. Picking slots are scheduled every 30 minutes, and picking is rain or shine, with no refunds. You can book your slots here. Pricing pick-your-own is $14 per person; pricing for the farmyard starts at $15 per person, and a combo ticket is $22 per person.  Don't leave without a snap with "Chomsky", the world's largest garden gnome. (For real, he's in the Guinness Book.) 

Distance from NYC: 2 hours

Closed Wednesdays.
5755 Route 209
Kerhonkson, NY
845-626-7137
Online: keldersfarm.com

For Fruit, Veggies & Sunflowers: Johnson's Corner Farm

Johnson's Corner Farm promises the best of New Jersey's famous blueberries, sweet corn and peaches (plus veggies like string beans and zucchini). The kids will love the hayride included, and the Discovery Barnyard ($10/kids; $5/adults) with animals, splash pad and play areas. You'll marvel at the sunflower fields. Both fruits and veggies are priced by the pound, and if you reserve your picking spot online, you save 50 cents. You can also pick up produce at the farm stand. Admission is $5.50 on weekdays, $6.50 on weekends. Kids under 12 months are free. Johnson's Farm is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and on Wednesday and Friday evenings from 5- 7p.m. 

Distance from NYC: 2 hours

133 Church Rd. 
Medford, NJ
609-654-8643
Online: johnsonsfarm.com

For Berries, Flowers and Wine: Terhune Orchards

Head to Terhune for blueberries and thornless (!) blackberries through August. This is another farm with flowers to pick, farm animals to visit, a winery, plus a reading series for kids, live music and festivals throughout the summer. (The 2022  Firefly Festival is June 26, and The Blueberry Bash is happening July 9 & 10 this year. See the calendar for all events.)  The farm is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; picking open, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., until supplies lasts. Check Terhune's Facebook page for the latest updates on availability. Take note: no outside food or drink is permitted. 

Distance from NYC: 1 hour

330 Cold Soil Rd.
Princeton, NJ
609-924-2310
Online: terhuneorchards.com

Alstede Farms in NJ

Alstede Farm claims to be the "best farm in the northeast." They provide homegrown local fruits and vegetables and offer an all-in-one farm experience. They are committed to growing local fruits, vegetables, and flowers using only sustainable and USDA-certified organic production methods. If you live nearby you can even join their CSA program. Picking options include strawberries, blueberries, vegetables and flowers. Making reservations online this season is a must. Check out their updated policies prior to your visit. In addition to picking, you can say hello to the friendly resident farm animals and tackle a giant hay pyramid. Alstede also offers live entertainment, homemade ice cream and wine tasting.

Be sure to note the farm's policies: Every person who wants to PYO needs an entry ticket starting at ages 2 and up. Each ticket comes with a quart for $17. (Admission price includes scenic hay wagon rides around the farm, access to the hay pyramid and an evergreen maze.) You must check-in within a 30-minute time slot or risk losing your reservation. You can purchase an Activities Plus ticket for children for $17 which includes a pony ride, a wagon train ride and one bounce house admission. Outside food and containers will not be permitted at the farm. Alstede is open weekdays: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., and weekends, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Weekends: 10-4

Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 20 mins

1 Alstede Farms Ln.
Chester, NJ 07930
908-879-7189
Online: alstedefarms.com