The 10 Best Hayrides Near NYC to Visit This Fall

Real talk: Fall is the greatest season of all (Pumpkin patches! Apple picking! PSLs!). But if you haven’t sat on a barrel of hay for a scenic jaunt around a country farm with an apple cider donut in hand, then you’re just not doing it right. So don your mask and climb aboard—here are 10 of the best hayrides near NYC.

Editor’s note: In light of COVID-19, please review federal, state and local traveler guidance. Please also check with farms before visiting to confirm they are operating with safety precautions.

This historic farm may date back to the early 1800s, but there’s plenty of modern-day fun to be had here, including photo ops and pumpkin chucking. Yep, release some of that stress you’ve been holding on to by hurling a pumpkin in the bungee system ($5 for three chucks). Then enjoy a beautiful hayride around the grounds where you just might see costumed educators performing old-school trades like candle, broom, cider and soap making. Open on weekends and timed-entry tickets are required—purchase here.

435 Richmond Hill Road, Staten Island, NY; 718-351-1611 or historicrichmondtown.org/deckerfarm

Every day in October, pre-purchase an entry ticket online for the family-friendly Alstede Farms and enjoy picking fields, a sunflower maze, an evergreen maze and a corn maze, plus tractor-drawn wagon rides. Extra cool event? The Harvest Moon Hayride every Friday and Saturday night from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. allows visitors to explore acres of scenic farmland in a tractor-drawn wagon ride at night. Afterwards, cozy up to the bonfire while listening to live music and sipping on a hot apple cider.

1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ; 908-879-7189 or alstedefarms.com

The only thing better than a hayride tour through 78 acres of beautiful farmland? A singing hayride tour! Head to Harbes Family Farm on the weekend for plenty of family-friendly fun including pig races, music-filled hayrides and the Barnyard Adventure area filled with farm animals, sport zones and mazes. Tickets required for the Barnyard zone plus hayrides, which are only available for purchase in-person. Open daily through October 31.

715 Sound Ave, Mattituck, NY; 631-482-7641 or harbesfamilyfarm.com

Perfect for the little ones, this South Brooklyn farm’s $14 admission includes a fun hayride, a pumpkin, a walk through the kids’ haunted house, access to the farm playground and the petting zoo (horses and goats and alpacas, oh my!), and an opportunity to milk Katie the cow. Plus, kids under 2 get in free. What else could you possibly ask for?

3159 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY; 718-470-0224 or greenmeadowsfarmbrooklyn.com

Explore 777 acres (yes, you read that right) of farmland on this dairy farm-turned-educational-museum that is now a Westchester County public park. Meet 50+ animals, check out historic buildings, hike over six miles through the landscape, and, of course, enjoy the tractor-pulled hayrides. Public rides are $3 and only happen on Sundays, but group hayrides can be reserved ahead of time for Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. To make the free park even more affordable, you’re encouraged to bring your own food.

51 Route 100, Katonah, NY; (914) 864-7282 or muscootfarm.org

Head over to this cozy, family-owned farm for fun hayrides to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch—but keep in mind that you'll have to call ahead of time. The 53-acre farm offers homemade pies, apple cider and fresh, locally grown crops that range from corn and nectarines to broccoli and tomatoes. Hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday, up until October 31.

223 Meyersville Rd Gillette, NJ; (908) 647-0957; hillview-farms.com