Pumpkin Picking in NYC

I love living in New York City, but around this time of year I start to miss the places where I grew up and went to college – Long Island and upstate New York. The beautiful, lush trees full of different colored leaves, trips to the wineries, apple picking and, of course, pumpkin picking. Sometimes I do head back to Long Island this time of year for pumpkins, but sometimes, when that’s not possible, or I’m too lazy to make the trek, I get my pumpkin fix right here in NYC. I usually grab a few small pumpkins and gourds from my local fruit and vegetable mart, but for those looking for something a little more authentic, here are a few places in NYC where you can go pumpkin picking in the days ahead.

Manhattan

Union Square Greenmarket

One of my favorite places in Manhattan, stop by the The Union Square Greenmarket on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays for your pick of locally-grown pumpkins, squash, gourds and apples, as well as seasonal baked goods, hot apple cider, maple syrup, jams, honey and more.

• 17th Street and Union Square West, Manhattan
• 212-788-7476
• http://www.grownyc.org/greenmarket/manhattan-union-square-m

Queens

Queens County Farm Museum’s Pumpkin Patch – Glen Oaks

Admission is always free to this pumpkin patch, except when there’s an event, like the Children’s Fall Festival on Oct. 25. You can have your pick of any pumpkin on the lawn, while also enjoying some other farm attractions. Vist any Sunday or Saturday through Oct. 25.

• 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy, Queens
• http://www.queensfarm.org/events.html

Brooklyn

Bushwick Farmers’ Market

Check out the Bushwick Farmers’ Market for colorful pumpkins, gourds, corn, kale and more veggies, fresh from the local farm, through Nov. 15. Also, on Oct. 26, the market will host Calabazafest at Maria Hernandez Park, with pumpkin crafts, a costume contest, a harvest fair, mariachi performers, food tastings and more.

• 400 Irving Ave., Brooklyn
• 646-393-9305
• http://www.bushwickfarmersmarket.org/

Harvest Festival at Brooklyn Bridge Park

For those pumpkin procrastinators, the Pier 6 lawn hosts a pop-up pumpkin patch on Oct. 24 from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., along with volleyball, storytelling, arts & crafts and live music.

• 334 Furman St., at the water, Brooklyn
• http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/events/harvest-festival

Staten Island

Decker Farm Pumpkin Picking

On weekends now through November 1, check out this 19th-century farm, which is part of the Historic Richmond Town living history museum. Pumpkins are set out in a field for you to pick, and while you’re there you can also indulge in other fun fall activities, like hayrides, a small cornstalk maze, and face painting. If that’s your kinda thing. The farm is located off the main grounds, but a free shuttle bus is provided. If you visit during The Great American Harvest Fest on Sunday, October 18, you can also see costumed craftspeople doing old-school trades like stone carving and tinsmithing.

• Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Avenue, Staten Island
• $5 for ages 1 and up; $16 for a family four-pack
• info@historicrichmondtown.org
• http://www.historicrichmondtown.org/decker-farm

If you still prefer to do your pumpkin picking outside of the city, Time Out New York offers some great suggestions of places nearby where you can get your pumpkin and apple picking fix in one.

Where’s your favorite place to go pumpkin picking in or around NYC?