Day Trips From NYC - Long Island Pick Your Own

This summer New Yorkers are inclined to stay in the state while the rest of the country struggles with Covid-19. While still taking care to remain 6 feet apart and wear masks, we are all looking to venture out just a little bit. I am based in Brooklyn and have been able to take a few essential mini-breaks from crowded NYC. One of our favorite places to go on a mini break is eastern Long Island. A few of our other favorite day trips are Beacon, New Paltz, and Rockaway Beach.

Over the past two months, we have spent time in both the North Fork and the South Fork. In addition to beach, sand, swimming pools and big open spaces, there is one activity we keep returning to. We love pick your own farms! I believe Long Island pick your own is one of the best socially distanced activities. right now and everyone should do it at least once.

Over the past few months, we have picked strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. Now peach picking is just beginning and we can’t wait to go back. Late summer picking will be vegetables and early fall picking will include apples and pumpkins.

Here are the three main reasons I think Long Island pick your own is the best socially distanced activity:

Pick your own is done in wide open fields. So even if there are a lot of people around, you never need to be near anyone. It is super easy to social distance and the farms always have hand washing stations. We were even able to pull down our masks a few times when we were well clear of others.
Pick your own is satisfying for all ages. Obviously little ones love the idea of picking berries but I was pleasantly surprised at how much my teens loved it. They have since asked to return several times. Personally I find berry picking a great time to both be in nature and be productive and I always leave feeling at peace and less stressed.
The joys of pick your own carry into other activities as well. Now that we have all those berries, we have to figure out what to do with them. We have spent many afternoons together baking with the fruits of our labor. We have made pies, breads, and muffins. Also, just a bowl of berries with Cool Whip is delicious – especially knowing you picked them yourself. We have even discussed tie dying with our berries.

A few items to note – Farms are generally cash only and do not allow pets. Crop availability varies by day so always call first to confirm picking is available.. Wear sunscreen and a hat because there is no shade. Check your bodies for ticks both right after picking as well as the next day. Long Island has a huge tick problem and they like to live in the fruit fields. A hat helps keep them off your head but they love to find hiding spots in socks and waistbands!

Summer pick your own crops are almost exclusively only available on the North Fork in 2020. The following farms are open for pick your own this summer in Eastern Long Island.

North Fork (West to East)

Lewin Farms : The first Pick Your Own farm in Long Island, Lewin Farms is just a few minutes from Riverhead on the North Fork and is one of our favorites. Pick your own runs about 5 months out of the year starting with strawberries in June and ending with pumpkins in October. In between are blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and apples. Call in the morning to see what is available for picking that day. You pay by the pound after you are done picking. Keep in mind some days U pick might not be available. U-pick opens 9am -4:30pm. 812 Sound Ave., Calverton, NY. Call ahead at 631-929-4327.
Patty’s Berries & Bunches: Located in Mattituck, pick your own berries at Patty’s are generally available from June to August. You pay $7 to enter the field and you can pick one basket worth of berries. We love Patty’s for the beautiful flower bouquets you can purchase there as well. Call ahead to be sure pick your own is available on that day. Hours are 9-5:30. 410 Sound Avenue, Mattituck, NY. Call ahead at 631-655-7996
Wickham’s Fruit Farm: With over 200 acres of fruit growing, this Cutchogue farm is a great option. You can pick strawberries, raspberries, cherries, blueberries, apples, peaches and sometimes pumpkins. The farm is closed on Sundays. 28700 Main Rd. Cutchogue. U-pick hours are 10am-3pm. Call ahead at 631-734-6441.
Bhavana Blueberries just like its name, specializes in blueberries. With more than 30 acres of blueberries, the farm earned its organic certification in 2016. The company says that due to the organic nature, their blueberries can last up to a month in the refrigerator. So don’t be afraid to pick that extra basket! The farmstand sells other products but U-pick is only during blueberry season – generally July- Sept. 4395 Hortons Lane, Southold. Hours are Thursday- Sunday 10am-5pm.

South Fork (West to East)

Seven Ponds Orchards – One of the only u-pick farms open this summer on the South Fork is located in Water Mill. They offer berries, as well as some vegetables (string beans and sugar snap peas) and sunflowers for picking. Fall will include apples and pumpkins. They also have a child’s play area that is currently open and $5 per child. 65 Seven Ponds Rd. Water Mill. Open 9AM to 6PM Call ahead at 631-726-8015.
Hanks Pumpkintown – One of the most popular farmstands in the South Fork, Hanks suspended all U-pick activities for the summer. They hope to open for the fall season which will offer both apple and pumpkin picking as well as a maze, a playground and a market. Families with young kids LOVE this place, so arrive early as this one gets really crowded. The maze park and apple picking are generally open weekends only. The playground and pumpkin picking are open every day. 324 County Rd. 39A, Southampton. Open 9:30-6pm. Call ahead 631-726-4667.
Milk Pail U-Pick Farm – Milk Pail opens Labor Day weekend through the end of October on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They offer apple and pumpkin picking from 10am to 5:30pm. 50 Horsemill Lane, Water Mill. Call ahead at 631-537-2565.