RYE, NY—Hayrides are a fun seasonal activity that celebrates the fall harvest. Hayrides began as a working reality when farm children rode in such hay-filled wagons going home to the farm. Now they offer a nostalgic chance to enjoy seasonal scenery. If you’re ready for a hayride, here are some Hudson Valley locations offering them.
Most of these hayrides are a daytime family activity but we included two haunted hayrides for some good scary fun. Follow the links for directions, dates and pricing information:
Westchester
North Salem has two hayride possibilities, Harvest Moon and Outhouse Orchards
Harvest Moon has hayrides, live music, face painting and pony rides.
Outhouse Orchards offers hayrides on tractors, the chance to pick apples and pumpkins, visit a corn maze, buy local honey and maple syrup.
Granite Springs
On weekends take a hayride through the orchards at Stuart’s Fruit Farm. Pick your own pumpkin and stop at the bakery for cider doughnuts and pies.
Yorktown Heights
Celebrating its 102nd year of harvest, Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farmoffers apple and pumpkin picking, a corn maze, and wagon rides. Snack on fresh apple cider doughnuts The farm is open daily through
mid-December.
Pocantico Hills
Harvest Fest at the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Pocantico Hills offers a farmers’ market, hayrides, live music and performances, and the center’s famous Berkshire pig roast.
Sleepy Hollow
On Oct. 26 and 27, you can board a hay wagon in downtown Sleepy Hollow and rumble down the road Ichabod Crane’s used to flee the Headless Horseman. If you keep your head, you’re welcome to enjoy live
music, children’s activities and vendors after the ride. Ticket sales are online only, through the village’s web site www.sleepyhollowny.gov.
Rockland
Congers
Ready to pick out a pumpkin? Take a hayride at Dr. Davies Farm in Congers. The farm also lets you pick apples and offers a corn maze.
Dutchess County
Poughquag
The fun doesn’t stop at hayrides at Barton Orchards. There’s music, pick your own apples and pumpkins, plus an on-site tap room with craft beer, cider and wine.
Pawling
Dykeman Farm has an extensive farm stand with fresh tomatoes, peppers, green beans. onions and apples. Besides free hayrides, there’s face painting. Leashed dogs are allowed
Hopewell Junction
Fishkill Farms
has weekend wagon rides through mid-October. There’s also a grill that serves food and beverages, a hard cider garden and fresh doughnuts.
Rhinebeck
Every fall weekend, through Oct. 28, is a festival weekend at Kesicke Farm. The farm has hayrides
apples, pumpkins, cider doughnuts, and a corn maze.
Orange County
Warwick
At Wright Family Farm, visitors can enjoy hayrides and pony ride, plus explore an extensive corn maze, and pick pumpkins and apples.
Ulster County
Modena
Hurds Family Farm farm in Modena provides hayrides and more—including a farm-to-table cafe, a
corn maze, apple and pumpkin picking, plus a nature trail. Visit the website for special offers.
Kerhonkson
Kelder’s Farm has hayrides on the weekends, plus a petting zoo, playground, corn maze and mini golf.
Pick apples, pumpkins, and flowers.
Ulster Park
For those who prefer their hayrides with a few ghosts and ghoulies, the Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses is a top Halloween attraction. Get tickets way in advance, since they sell out quickly.