Fall | Dog Friendly Apple Orchards for Apple Picking during COVID-19
Upstate New York Apple Picking with your Puppy
with COVID-19 updates
Dog Friendly Apple Orchards 2020
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Fall means wholesome apple and pumpkin picking (and rushing up to upstate New York for the last time before it get miserably cold). In addition to the pick of the week, we also have to research the COVID rules this year. The typical rules in place are to remain 6ft from another party, wear a mask when possible outdoors (required indoors), a leash for your dog, and a bag to clean up after them. Here are the top picks for the season as some orchards have revoked their pet policies this year (including Wilken’s Fruit Farm and Apple Dave’s Orchards).
Wright’s Farm
Gardener, NY
Wright’s Farm is fun for the whole family! Of course being dog friendly, they also have a brewery to enjoy after apple picking. During coronavirus (updated Sept 20, 2020), they are offering indoor/outdoor seating and live music! The farm is an astounding 453 acres producing 100,000 bushels of apples and a variety of other fall fruit (pumpkin, squash) so you can pick to the family’s content. They also allow all day tailgating and encourage it! Their farm stand is open year round including during Covid. Be sure the check out their store for their homemade apple cider donuts and jams! Although, we did have some COVID-19 complaints from the experience.
Click here to read about what my trip to Wrights Farm ended up like!
Twin Star Orchards
New Paltz, NY
Twin Star Orchards (Brooklyn Cider House)
Picking Season: April 2020 - early November 2020
Orchard Entry Hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11am - 7pm
Kitchen: Friday 12pm - 7pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am - 7pm
Live Music: Saturday and Sunday 1-4pm
Distance from NYC: 2 hours, New Paltz, NY
A great recommendation from my Sister she’s lived in New York for about seven years after moving from Ithaca. Her fiancé and my sister love Brooklyn Cider House and recently visited during 2020. Two Star Orchard is home to Brooklyn Cider House’s famous ingredient! As well as carrying their cider, the orchard serves wood fired pizza, local beer, and lots of tables to enjoy socially distanced. If you’re looking for an slightly elevated food experience, this is it! Go mid day between 1-4pm to enjoy some life music. A SECRET tip from a yelper to pre- order food a day before to avoid the wait! (*updated October 3, 2020).
Don’t forget to wear your sunscreen out there and give your dog plenty of water! Temperatures are dropping, but the sun is still shinning. I have a French Bulldog, and if you have a similar bread that’s senstive to heat, I’d recommend getting a cooling bandana (affiliate link) to bring along. Russ loves his bandana. It keeps him cool and significantly decreases the amount of panting he does. And it’s light weight which I love! I can just keep it in my small purse.
Dr. Davies Farm
Congers, NY
Dr. Davies Farm
Picking Season: July 2020 - December 2020
Orchard Entry Hours: Daily 10AM - 4PM (Reservations Suggested!)
Distance from NYC: 45 minutes, Congers, NY
For a quick day trip out of the city with you pup, this is a great option! They have over 4,000 trees over 55 acres for plenty of apple picking. They are especially COVID friendly since there is a chance you may have to wait, given another time to come back, or be rejected upon arrival due to capacity. You can make a reservation through their online tool on their website.
Barton Orchards
Poughquag, NY
Barton Orchards
Picking Season: July 2020 - December 2020
Orchard Entry Hours: Open Sunday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m Purchase Tickets on Event Calendar in Advance.
Live Music: Friday and Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m
Dog Park: open Daily
Distance from NYC: 1.5 hour, Poughquag, NY
Barton Orchards is by far the most dog friendly! They feature a one acre dog OFF LEASH park including a separate play area for large and small dogs. SECRET TIP: ask for a “Pup cup” for your dog at the ice cream stand! Concessions are open are Barton Orchards including plenty of socially distanced, outdoor dining to enjoy! This orchard features a petting zoo, taproom with live music, and delicious apples. Tickets should be purchased IN ADVANCE for weekend festivals; check the events calendar for more! Some of their upcoming events include Country Music Jamboree (October 3-4), Empire State Halloween Festival (October 31-November 1) and Beer, Bourbon + Bacon Festival (November 7). Barton Orchards is also available for curbside pickup in Poughkeepsie (updated October 3, 2020)! However, people on yelp have warned that it is overcrowded and recommend going either earlier when they open or a couple hours before close. A friend of mine went around 10am when they opened and had a wonderful time with short lines. She said she enjoyed the corn maze!
Let’s take advantage of some fall festivities, fresh air, and the upstate space.
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If you want a fun fall DIY with your pup, check out this fall foliage back drop DIY for your pup!
Thanks for reading! See you on social.
charmaine
