September calls Ulster County’s orchards into full swing. Apple trees hang heavy with fruit, farm stands overflow with cider donuts and homemade jams and jellies, as the color wheel in the Hudson Valley slowly trades green for gold. Naturally, everyone wants a taste. How could you not?
Weekend apple picking is a fan-favorite fall tradition around here, which also means the middle of a Saturday afternoon at an orchard can get pretty crowded with guests. However, with a small change in your itinerary, you can avoid the crowds and be able to experience more of Ulster County in a single day.
BEAT THE RUSH
A big tip is to simply arrive when normal orchard hours begin – no special wake-up call before the crack of dawn required. Getting there around opening time means cooler September temperatures, quieter rows, and more room to wander, pick, and photograph. And by the time the crowds start rolling up to the orchard, you’ll already be on your way out – apples in hand and a full day ahead of you.
CATCH AN AFTERNOON GLOW INSTEAD
Not an early riser? Want to grab some homemade brunch or shop around before heading out? No problem. A late afternoon visit is just as good as an early morning one. With the sun sitting lower in the sky, the light becomes warmer and shadows grow longer, creating the picture-perfect way to finish up a day in the Hudson Valley.
Photo tip: Don’t just point your camera toward the sun. Turn around. That same low light can illuminate entire rows of trees and the mountains beyond them.
When planning a later visit, keep in mind that U-pick hours and sunset don’t always line up, so be sure to double check hours and last admission times before planning a late-afternoon visit.
MAKE ROOM FOR MID-DAY ADVENTURES
Think of the orchard as the bookend to your day rather than the whole itinerary. By shifting your visit to the beginning or end of the day, you now have more room to fit in everything else on your Ulster County bucket list.
After an early morning of apple picking, head into New Paltz for brunch and coffee at Underground Coffee & Ales or pastries and bagels at The Bakery, then spend some time exploring the local shops for everything from books and records to clothing, art and locally made goods. If you’d rather keep the outdoor adventures going, rent an e-bike from Avocado Bike Rentals and enjoy the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail or head to Minnewaska State Park Preserve for an afternoon hike and views across the Shawangunk Ridge.
Traveling with kids? Make another family-fun fall stop at Kelder’s Farm in Kerhonkson, where you can find a corn maze, hayrides, farm animals and plenty of seasonal activities. Or give your feet a break and climb aboard the Catskill Mountain Railroad in Kingston, where seasonal train rides offer a different way to take in the forests, mountains and fall scenery of the Catskills.
And if you’re saving the orchard for later, just flip the itinerary. Grab lunch, hike, explore or take a train ride first, then head toward the apple trees as the afternoon light starts to soften. And remember. There’s no need to rush from the orchard to the next adventure. Roll the windows down, take the scenic route and give yourself time to linger as you explore Ulster County.
And remember. There’s no need to rush from the orchard to the next adventure. Roll the windows down, take the scenic route and give yourself time to linger as you explore Ulster County.
