Grab Your Flannel and Go Apple Picking in Oswego County, New York

As soon as the weather turns cooler and the air feels crisp, there is one thing that every New Yorker has on their mind: apple picking. Apples are the official fruit after all! And nothing really signals the start of autumn like walking through an orchard, choosing the apples you want to take home. Whether you want to eat them fresh, or bake your best apple desserts, there are plenty of orchards to choose from. Here are some of the places to go apple picking in Oswego County.

Kick-Off the Season at Ontario Orchards

You know it’s fall in Oswego when Ontario Orchards hosts their Fall Jamboree. A weekend full of hayrides, a corn maze, wine tasting, animals, apple picking, pumpkin picking… What more could you want? It’s a great way to perk up the kids in September since they’ve gone back to school. The best part? Both admission and parking are FREE.

Plus, if you’re looking for fresh fruit and baked goods year-round, Ontario Orchards has you covered. The farm markets is open 12 months of the year, so you’re not limited to visiting during the fall rush. But it is a great place to stop and pickup apples, pumpkins, mums, and other autumn goodies if you don’t have a lot of time to spend wandering the orchards.

Apple Orchards in Mexico, New York

Mexico is the heart of apple country near Oswego. And it makes for one of the most scenic autumn drives. As you make your way along the meandering roads, over the hilly landscape, the views are incredible! Make sure you give yourself some extra time along your drive to take in the landscape and snap some leaf-peeping photos.

Appledale Orchards

Appledale Orchards has been owned by the Simpelaar family since they opened in 1959. In addition to several acres of apple orchards, Appledale also has a country store. You can find locally sourced and made products like salsas, jams, jerky, honey, maple syrup, baking mixes, cheese, and more. But the best part? Their fresh-pressed apple cider and cider donuts. I dare you to walk into the market and not get a donut after you smell them. They are undoubtedly some of the best cider donuts you’ll find in the area. And for just 75 cents, you can’t say no.

The orchards are also very kid-friendly. Little ones will have a blast on the playground, climbing ‘apple mountain’, or wandering through the small corn maze. There’s even a pavilion there for small events – perfect for kids’ birthdays in the fall!

Also, the fruit farm grows more than just apples! Check their schedule to see what is currently available for purchase and when the picking season ends. And yes, you can pick up your pumpkins while you’re there too.

Appledale Orchards is open daily 9-5.

Behling Orchards

If you imagine what a fall festival at a farm looks like, that’s Behling Orchards. When you pull up at Behling’s, you’ll see the tractor offering hayrides through the apple orchards and pumpkin patch on one side of the road. On the other? A large barn full of produce, picnic tables, corn stalks, concession stands, and a large playland. It truly is a site to behold!

Because they have so much to offer, Behling’s can get very busy on September and October weekends. That’s when the candy room in the barn is open, selling cotton candy, caramel popcorn balls, candy apples, fresh popcorn, and other goodies. Kids can go get lost in the Behling Playland while the adults enjoy some drinks from the Beer Barn.

Apple Picking at Behling Orchards

The orchards have been family owned since 1947, and have grown from 8 acres of apples to over 200. With so many trees, it’s no surprise that they grow over 80 different varieties – including one of their own, Jenna Blush. This special variety is a blend of tart and sweet.

Behling Orchards is open daily 9-5.

What Should You Bring to Go Apple Picking?

If you’re a native New Yorker, it’s likely that you’ve gone apple picking since your childhood. But if you’ve recently moved here – or are visiting during our most beautiful season – here’s some advice for your first apple picking trip.

Bring cash! Most apple orchards and farm markets are cash only. It’s better to prepared.
Boots you don’t mind getting dirty. You’ll be tramping through the orchards.
A camera – to capture the moments!
A flannel shirt and jeans. Okay, okay, this isn’t mandatory, but it just feels right.