Apple Picking in the Rochester, NY area

One great way to get your kids to eat more fruit -- and introduce them to the subtleties of sweet/tangy tastes -- is by taking them apple picking to a local orchard. And there is no better place to go apple picking than in the upstate New York/Finger Lakes region, particularly near Lake Ontario! The following are places to go and things to do for a day in the Orchard in the greater Rochester area.

Curious about the wide varieties of apples and what they're used for and taste like? Check out this neat page from New York Apple Country that provides photos and information: http://www.nyapplecountry.com/varieties.htm.

Each year, the Wayne County Department of Tourism sponsors an "Apple Tasting Tour," where participants can visit some about orchards, farm markets and wineries and sample the fruits of the harvest. Click here to download the 2009 brochure, which has a list of places as well as a map. The kickoff weekend for the Apple Tasting Tour is October 9-12, 2009. However, for some places, the pick-your-own seasons starts in early September (Ginger Gold!) so be sure to call your favorite place for their hours and starting dates.

When I was putting together this page, I talked with many apple growers who would love to offer pick-your-own apples, but can't. Know why? It's our litigious society; the high insurance cost makes it not worthwhile for them. Isn't that a shame?

The Rochester Farm Connection, a Yahoo-based listserv for people interested in farming, food, and sustainability in the Rochester region, has a list of organic and low-spray fruit sources, contributed by members. The list can be viewed here (it's called "Fruit") once you sign up for the group from that page.

For more information on where your family can pick apples around Rochester, below are locations of area farm markets in Wayne, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, and Genesee Counties. If you know of a U-pick apple location that I have not included, please email me!

One last thing: If a grower does not have a web site listing hours, PLEASE call first to make sure they are open! (This is experience talking!)

Wayne County

Alasa Farms
6450 Shaker Road
PO Box 174, Alton, NY 14413
(315) 483-2493
E-mail: crackerbpalace@netzero.net
Historic Shaker farm overlooking Sodus Bay. U-Pick Apples open daily 10-3 during the season; apples are priced by the bag. Ten varieties, including Honey Crisp. Dwarf trees are great for kids to pick from. 170+ friendly farm animals at Cracker Box Palace Farm Animal Haven's not-for-profit no-kill shelter for rescued farm animals (bring some stale bread/apples for the goats or carrots/apples for the horses and you'll have friends for life!). Hike by the creek and hunt for fossils. Group farm tours and hay rides also available; call for info or visit www.crackerboxpalace.org.
Directions

Burnap's Farm Market & Garden Cafe
7277 Maple Ave.
(Corner Lake Road & Maple Ave.)
Sodus, NY 14551
(315) 483-4050
E-mail: burnapsfarm@aol.com
Starting mid-September and running for through Columbus Day, you can pick your own apples on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm. (Date details on web site.)
Directions

G and S Orchards
825 Atlantic Avenue (Route 286)
Walworth, NY 14568
(315) 524-3823
G and S Orchards is a great place to take your family to pick apples. Spend the day together outside, and come home with fresh apples and other autumn goodies. You can pick apples on weekends on Saturday 9am to 3 pm and Sunday 10am to 3pm. Their web site has a coupon (PDF file)...click there to print it out before you leave for the farm!
Directions

Lagoner Farms
6895 Lake Avenue
Williamson, NY 14589
(315) 589-4899
E-mail: mlagoner@rochester.rr.com
Wagon rides to the orchard to pick apples, the Cider Barrel train ride, the apple sling shot, and a maze. Apple picking starts about the second weekend of September.
Directions

Morgan's Farm Market
3821 Cory Corners Road
Marion, NY 14505
585-752-9771
info@MorgansFarmMarket.com
Family Fun with U-pick apples! This date includes tractor-pulled wagon rides to orchard, pony rides, bin maze, picnic foods, fruit stand shopping! All events rain or shine.
map

Noto Fruit Farm
7539 East Townline Road, Williamson
(315) 589-8703
E-mail: jnrfruitfarm@aol.com
U-pick by appointment only
Special on Wed and Friday 3 lbs/$1, call for information
map

Monroe County

Kelly's Farm Market Inc
611 Old Wilder Road
Hilton NY, 14468
Phone (585) 392-8102
U-pick season starts mid-September, both on weekends and during the week.
map

Green Acre Farms
3460 Latta Rd
Greece, NY
585-234-0252
greenacreupick@gmail.com
Call their U-pick hotline to hear the varieties available now and for any other info. They also have a teepee and hay bales out for kids to climb on, and for parents to sit on.
map

Robb's Fruit Farm
800 Gallup Rd
Spencerport NY, 14559
Phone (585) 352-0814
Seasons starts last weekend in September, U-pick is available both on weekends and during the week.
map



Whittier Fruit Farm
219 Whittier Road
Rochester NY, 14624
Phone 585-594-9054 (seasonal)
Email: whittierfruit@aol.com
Season starts in late August. Open 7 days per week. On weekends, they have a tractor to bring you out to the orchard, and also they have a play area for kids.
Directions

Ontario County

Seneca Orchards
2881 Orleans Rd
Clifton Springs NY, 14432
Phone (585) 526-5296


The Apple Farm
1640 Victor-Holcomb Rd
Victor NY, 14564
Phone (585) 924-3420
U-pick season starts late August, picking is 7 days per week with a wagon ride to the orchard on weekends.
map

Orleans County

Brown's Berry Patch
14264 Roosevelt Hwy
Waterport NY, 14571
Phone (585) 682-5569
Brown's Berry Patch ranked #6 on our survey of the Top Places to Take Kids in the greater Rochester area. In addition to great picking fields, they have an inexpensive Barnyard Adventure playground that is worth the couple of $ to go in. Parents can ride a great huge (and safe) slide with their kids. (Kids remember that, even years later.) It's worth the trip from either Rochester or Buffalo.
map

Hurd Orchards
17260 Ridge Rd
Holley NY, 14470
Phone (585) 638-8838
market@hurdorchards.com
Season is September and October.
map

Kirbys Farm Market
9739 Ridge Road
Brockport NY 14420
Phone (585) 637-2600
Seasons starts in early September, u-pick is 7 days per week.
Directions

LynOaken Farms Inc
11540 Maple Ave
Lyndonville NY, 14098
Phone (585) 765-2046
The seasons starts September 10, with 7 days/week of U-pick plus wagon rides on the weekends. Their motto: "We don't weigh you when you arrive and we don't weigh you when you leave!" That is, eat all you like!
Directions



Watt Farms Country Market
3121 Route 98
Albion NY 14411
Phone (585) 589-8000
Saturdays and Sundays 12-3pm, starting mid-September. They have a train ride, too!
Directions

Genesee County

Roanoke Apple Farms
6370 East Bethany Leroy Rd.
Stafford, NY 14143
Phone (585) 768-2042
U-pick season starts mid-September, picking available 7 days/week.
map

 

Here are some handy web sites for more information: