Westchester Farms:
10+ Best Places to choose for your next visit
Growing up in the Bronx (pre-internet), we drove to Westchester County for shopping and for some summer fun, but my parents didn’t realize that there were some wonderful Westchester Farms not too far from our home.
Many people think that farms are only located in rural and remote places of the Hudson Valley and are often surprised to learn how close many farms actually are.
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What Makes Westchester Farms so Unique?
With their close proximity to New York City, Westchester Farms are both unique and one of the only places where city children can have memorable farm experiences, such as:
- Picking fresh produce
- Meeting farm animals
- Meeting and speaking to local farmers
- Enjoying open spaces
But Westchester Farms are not only about picking fresh fruit; they are about so much more!
Take a look at this list and see for yourself…
Westchester Farms to Visit this Season:
– Fable: From Farm to Table
If you’re looking to learn about sustainable agriculture and organic produce, then Fable: From Farm to Table is your place!
Located in Ossining, this educational center is also a working farm and farm market where the focus is on providing the best local produce from their farm and local farms to the community. Their market is open Thursday – Sunday from 10:30am – 4pm.
Because of the hard work and pride they take to offer the best products around, they also offer cooking classes for both adults, children and families (seasonally). Great upcoming events can also be found on their website.
– Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard
Best known for strawberry picking, blueberry picking and apple picking, Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard also offers events, such as yoga on the farm, animal adventures and more.
Located in North Salem, Harvest Moon also has a farm store that includes diary products and grass-fed beef. Also home to Hardscrabble Cider, they offer a nice variety of hard ciders, but also a series of specialty drinks.
READ MORE
Have a hard cider any time of the year at these great Hudson Valley Cideries
– Hemlock Hill Farm
Located on Croton Ave. in Cortlandt, Hemlock Hill Farm and Market offers tours seasonally, on Saturday, where they share the family history and shows off how the farm works.
Their store and market offers a variety of grass-fed Black Angus beef, farm fresh chickens, duck, pork, goose, lamb, rabbit and turkey. They work with nearby farms to offer you the best selection of local cheeses, raw honey, maple syrup, craft beer and so much more.
– Hilltop Hanover Farm
Located in Yorktown Heights, Hilltop Hanover Farm is an environmental center that educates future farmers and feeds the community. The farm grounds are open to visitors and great times will be had walking the fields, having a picnic and visiting the cows and goats.
In addition to education, they offer u-pick vegetables, herbs and flowers during their harvest season on their acres of gardens. You can sign up on their web page for U-Pick updates. Their farm stand is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday in May and from Thursday through Sunday from June – November.
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– Meadows Farm
The Meadows Farm is a unique farm that picks their own produce in order to provide you with the freshest, seasonal produce around. They pride themselves on picking their own fruit and vegetables up to twice a day. What started as a small farm of 4 acres has grown into 100 acres.
With the recent shortage of things, it’s good to know that this farm in the middle of Westchester County continues to share their love of farming with others.
– Muscoot Farm
Located in Katonah, Muscoot Farm is one of the more popular Westchester Farms because they offer so many programs and events that are perfect for the entire family. Once a working dairy farm, this 700+ acre farm has so much to do that you will need a few hours to enjoy it all.
Run entirely on donations, Muscoot Farm is actually a Westchester County Park. Visiting the farm is easy because they are open daily, almost open year round and the admission is free. For your convenience, they have a calendar of events.
Some events include:
- Morning farm chores
- Art Show
- Farm Market
- Farm Skills
- and so much more…
– Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
Visit the campus of the Stone Barns Center, in Pocantico Hills, Wednesday through Sunday. This is one of the most distinctive Westchester Farms that you can visit.
Most notably, they have several feasts during the year, where you can enjoy food and the farming community through a multi-course meal experience.
Visiting the farm offers a special experience for all. The Blue Hill Cafe offers meals while the farm itself offers guided tours, events, cooking classes, family field trips and workshops that highlight sustainable farming.
– Stuart’s Farm
Amongst a plethora of single-family homes, Stuart’s Fruit Farm is the oldest family-owned continuously working Westchester County Farm. Depending on the seasonal needs, you can visit in the Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.
From flowers and vegetables plants in the Spring and Christmas trees in the Winter, Stuart’s Farm has a farm market, bakery and so much more for the entire family to enjoy. A visit to their Christmas Tree Farm is the highlight of many people’s holiday season.
Located close to Cortlandt Manor, this is an easy on and off of the Taconic State Parkway, so it’s convenient for many people.
Want to Know More?
Read my article all about Stuart’s Farm right here
– Thompson’s Cider Mill and Orchard
In addition to offering hard cider to the local enthusiasts, Thompson’s Cider Mill also offers sweet apple cider for everyone to enjoy. The cider mill also offers apple pies, pumpkin pies and muffins. During the fall season, take advantage of all the mill has to offer. From cider donuts to honey and maple syrup, the mill has something for everyone to enjoy.
Although it’s not a u-pick farm, you can visit the orchard and mill to learn how cider is made. That is itself is a great reason to stop by.
– White Oak Farm
Located in Yorktown Heights, White Oak Farm is the last remaining commercial maple syrup producer in Westchester County. They have many special features, including a full woodworking shop.
Open on the weekends, this is a farm trip you will soon not forget. They also offer seasonal products, such as pumpkins, maple popcorn, maple brittle, maple sugar, maple candies, maple cotton candy, maple butter and so much more.
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– Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm
This popular farm offers ‘pick-your-own’, has a market and sells Christmas Trees. Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm’s pick-your-own includes peaches, apples and pumpkins. Their harvest season starts in August with peaches and beginning of September with apples. Enjoy their farm market, bakery, winery and corn maze.
4 Reasons why you should spend time at Westchester Farms
#1: The Westchester Farm Trail
The Westchester Farm Trail is a route connecting more than 10 farms and orchards from Sleepy Hollow to North Salem. There is an abundance of things to do besides visiting the farms, including hands-on activities.
#2: Support Local
Although the supermarkets in our area try to provide the best produce and products around, there is not like picking your own or visiting a farm market where you know the produce was picked that day. These Westchester Farms excel in bringing you the best and freshest products.
#3: Enjoy Being Outside
Whether it’s during a warm summer or crisp autumn, visiting these Westchester Farms is a wonderful way to spend the day. As you see from the list above, many offer special events and programs that everyone will love.
#4: Try Something New
If you’ve always picked apples, then why not try picking strawberries, blueberries and/or peaches instead? Spending an afternoon exploring a farm you’ve never visited before creates lasting memories.
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These Lower Hudson Valley Digital Resources Will:
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MORE THINGS TO DO IN WESTCHESTER:
Visit Peekskill: A Hudson River Town with something for everyone
The Ultimate List of Museums in Westchester County
A Day or Weekend in Katonah, NY: What to see, eat and do
Until the Next Adventure….
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