Big Apple Picking

Is there anywhere to go apple picking near the city which is accessible by public transit?

We're so glad you asked this question, because we are getting ready to kick it into gear for Autumn of Fun 05, which involves getting large-ish groups of people together for autumnal excursions such as apple picking. We found a few orchards that offer apple picking and directions by mass transit:

Wickham's Fruit Farm, in Cutchogue, Long Island can be reached by a bus (Sunrise Coach Bus lines) which drops visitors 1/2 block from the farm. You can also take a LIRR train from Penn Station to Greenport (change at Ronkonkoma), and you will then need to take a taxi 4 miles to the farm.

Soons Orchards, in Orange County, NY, is accessible through Shortline buses from the Port Authority to Middletown, NY, or take a NJ transit train from Penn Station to Secaucus, NJ and then transfer for another train to Middletown. Soons is a short cab ride from the bus or train station.

And did you know there's a farm in Queens? You can get there by taking the E or F train to Kew Gardens/Union Turnpike Station and then taking the Q46 bus (eastbound on Union Tpk.) to Little Neck Parkway Stop. The Queens County Farm Museum is having an Apple Festival on October 2nd - "a large variety of apples, apple products and freshly pressed cider will be available."

Need advice? Ask Gothamist! E-mail ask(at)gothamist(dot)com.