Fall conjures up thoughts of crisp, red apples, apple cider, pumpkins and harvest fairs. For kids, there's something special about biting into a juicy apple that has just been picked off the tree or traipsing through a field of pumpkins in the fresh, sunny air. During the short fall months, there's much to explore on the many farms and nurseries around the region, where hay rides, corn maizes, and homemade delicacies make for a delightful weekend outing. Surely there is at least one small pumpkin patch not far from home, but the best options are farther out east, particularly on the north fork. There are many opportunities to enjoy some of the fall's treasures: including picking your own apples and pumpkins, fresh apple cider, and caramel apples. The cool, rainy summer resulted in a bumper crop of apples, according to local apple growers. While apple picking season began in mid September, there's still good pickin' this month, with the later varieties, such as Macoun, Crispin, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious. Here's a roundup of where to go to experience the best of fall:
Apple Picking
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Wickham's Fruit Farm, Main Rd., Cutchogue, (631) 734-6441, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Sundays.
