When the trees on Long Island slowly turn bright shades of red, yellow and blazing orange, it's time to take the whole family pumpkin picking. The kids will love choosing their own pumpkin straight off the vine. Many Long Island pumpkin farms also offer seasonal fun, such as corn mazes or Halloween events. Here's a sampling of Long Island farms where you can pick your own pumpkins. Included are some that sell already-picked pumpkins. I've arranged them alphabetically by location. Since each year's harvest is different, please call ahead to double-check for the times and days these farms are open to the public.
Photo © Linda Tagliaferro
Aquebogue
Photo © Linda Tagliaferro
270 West Lane
Aquebogue, NY
(631) 722-3467
Take the whole family to this 26-acre farm and choose from 18 different varieties of pumpkins. The kids will enjoy picking their own pumpkins straight off the vine. There's free admission and parking and a free toddler hay maze. Seasonal fun includes hay rides, pony rides and more. Please call for pumpkin prices and times.
Bay Shore
Photo © Linda Tagliaferro
1624 Manatuck Boulevard
Bay Shore, NY
(631) 665-5411
Spread out over more than 12 acres, Brightwaters Farm offers an annual Fall Harvest Festival. The kids can pick pumpkins, go on pony rides or hayrides and enjoy inflatable rides. There are farm animals on view and a Little Farmers Playground. Purchase fresh baked pies, candy apples or roasted corn. Go to the Brightwaters Farm website for a coupon for one free admission. Call for prices and times.
Bridgehampton
Photo © Linda Tagliaferro
69 Horsemill Lane overlooking Mecox Bay
(***Note: if you're using a GPS, ask for directions to 69 Horsemill Road)
Bridgehampton, NY
Come to Fairview Farm's corn maze, created from eight acres of corn growing 10 feet tall. General admission: $10, 11 years and under for $7, 3 years and under for free. Call for info about pumpkin picking and more.
Cutchogue
Greenland Family Farms Inc.17155 County Road 48
Cutchogue, NY
(631) 734-5791
Owned and run by the Samolewski family, Greenland Family Farms features hayrides on weekends in October, pumpkin picking and more. Call for current prices and times.
East Islip
Organics Today Farm160 Washington Street
East Islip, NY
(631) 650-4424 (Please call from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
This three-acre, organic farm is open from April 1st through November 1st, and allows you to pick your own pesticide-free pumpkins right off the vine. It's a relaxed place where you won't find crowds as you wander through the organic pumpkin patch. Open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Organics Today Farm doesn't charge admission or parking fees. There are tractor-pulled hayrides for $3 per person in season.
East Meadow
Friendly Farms
832 Merrick Avenue
East Meadow, NY
(516) 486-2448
One of Nassau County's only organic farms, Friendly Farms sits on 2.2 acres and you can pick your own pumpkins as well as other fruits and vegetables in season. Check their website or call for dates and hours of their annual Fall Festival, where you and the kids can pay for a hayride, enter the Haunted House before and on Halloween, make a scarecrow, paint pumpkins and more.
Huntington
Elwood Pumpkin Farm, Huntington1500 Jericho Turnpike
Huntington, NY
(631) 368-8626
A pumpkin farm in Huntington? Who knew? Come to the Elwood Pumpkin Farm and pick pumpkins right off the vine. There's no admission charge, but there is a $3 fee for the kids' corn maze (adults will enjoy it, too!) and hayrides ($3 for a short ride, $6 for a longer ride.) Open from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. on weekends in season. You can also pick your pumpkins during the week, but you'll have to call (631) 368-8626 in advance to make an appointment.
Jamesport
Harbes Family FarmsYou can pick your own pumpkins at three Harbes Family Farms locations: at 1223 Main Road, Route 25 in Jamesport, at 715 Sound Avenue in Mattituck, and at their Middle Earth Pumpkin Farm, 5698 Sound Avenue in Riverhead. For a fee, there are hayrides at the Jamesport and Riverhead locations, pony rides at the Mattituck and Jamesport farms, corn mazes, pig races and more. Check their website for current prices and times.
Mattituck
Harbes Family FarmsYou can pick your own pumpkins at three Harbes Family Farms locations: at 1223 Main Road, Route 25 in Jamesport, at 715 Sound Avenue in Mattituck, and at their Middle Earth Pumpkin Farm, 5698 Sound Avenue in Riverhead. For a fee, there are hayrides at the Jamesport and Riverhead locations, pony rides at the Mattituck and Jamesport farms, corn mazes, pig races and more. Check their website for current prices and times.
Melville
Schmitt's Family Farm26 Pinelawn Road
Melville, NY
(631)271-3276
Bring the kids to Schmitt's Family Farm in season for the daytime corn maze and the children's daytime haunted mansion. There's a pumpkin playground, pick your own pumpkins, pony rides, a 30-foot slide and free hayrides. Go to the Schmitt Family Farms website for more information, current prices and a coupon for discounts.
