On a daily basis, it’s perfectly acceptable to wander into Wegmans and grab some fruit along with the other groceries on your list. But it’s so much more fun to head to the farm and pick some yourself! Luckily there are U-Pick farms all around the Greater Rochester Area.
Day Trips Around Rochester, New York
Often times, picking your own produce is as much a family adventure as it is entertainment. Keep an eye on the websites, or sign up for a newsletter, to find out exactly when picking actually begins and ends.
Strawberries
Season: June 5 – June 20
Pick your own strawberries, and enjoy a few festivals where you can taste everything from jams to shortcake to strawberry wine.
Cherries
Season: July 1 – July 31
The season runs mostly in July, but start checking in late June and call before going.
Raspberries
Early Season: July 5 – July 21
Fall & Everbearing Season: August 15 – September 30
Start picking your own raspberries in July with the early varieties. Fall varieties ripen in late August.
Stone Fruit
Season: July 20 – September 1
Peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots (stone fruit) hit their prime mid-August-mid-September.
Blueberries
Season: August 1 – September 10
August is blueberry month! Here are a few places around Rochester you can pick your own.
Grapes
Season: September 1 – October 5
My family has been going to Jerome’s U-Pick Grapes nearly every year for 20 years. To avoid the crowds, go the week before or after the Naples Grape Festival.
Apples
Season: September 1 – October 15
Many of our farms offer a family-fun experience, with hay rides, cider & donuts and activities for the kids, in addition to pick your own apples.
🍎 Apple Everything! Rochester’s best ciders, fry cakes, fritters, pies, and more
Come mid-September, we begin to crave all things apple. Apple cider. Apple cider donuts. Apple fritters. Apple pie. And warm fry cakes.
Pumpkins
Season: September 15 – October 28
It’s so much more than simply buying a pumpkin. It’s about family time on the farm, with wagon rides, hot cider & donuts, corn maizes, and games.
Christmas Trees
Season: Late-November – Late-December
Of course, you don’t eat these, but that doesn’t make it any less fun to pick your own tree on the farm! One of the most popular family traditions in December is decorating the Christmas tree.
If you’re hunting for the perfect real tree, this list is for you.
Farms & Farmers’ Markets: Your Guide to Locally Grown Produce
Exploring local markets and roadside produce stands is a great way to immerse yourself in the community and support family farms.
Where are your favorite U-Pick farms?
Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.
People often ask me if I get free access to places while exploring. The answer is no unless I’m invited to previews or granted behind-the-scenes access as part of my media role. Generally, I don’t mention my project, Day Trips Around Rochester, NY, because I want the same experience you would have. I create and share content simply because it brings me joy. I would appreciate your support—a cup of coffee or two to help fuel future field trips—if you have found valuable information here that has helped you explore the Rochester area.
