Top Picks
Kelder's Farm Strawberry FestivalJune 1 – late June · Kerhonkson, NY
35+ attractions across the whole month of June. The most full-day festival experience near NYC.
Von Thun Farms Strawberry FestivalMay 30–31 & June 6–7 · East Windsor, NJ
Closest option at ~55 miles from NYC, with specific festival dates posted for 2026. Verify on their site before heading out.
Lewin FarmsLate May – late June · Calverton, NY
Longest strawberry window on the list. Rolls into blueberries and peaches — great if you want flexibility on timing.
Closest to NYC — many under an hour from Manhattan. Great for a quick half-day.
🍓Von Thun Farms
FestivalVon Thun opens strawberry season on Memorial Day Weekend, then runs their full Strawberry Festival the two weekends after — May 30–31 and June 6–7. Expect rides, farm activities, and fresh-picked berries. One of the few farms with confirmed 2026 festival dates.
Johnson's Corner Farm
Family FarmOne of the earliest strawberry seasons in the region — opening in mid-May, weeks ahead of most Hudson Valley farms. Johnson's Corner is a full family farm with on-site activities alongside the picking.
Head east on the LIE for a classic Long Island farm experience. Leave early on weekends to beat the traffic.
🍓Lewin Farms
Pick-Your-OwnLewin has one of the longest strawberry windows in the area — late May all the way through late June. A reliable Long Island PYO that rolls straight into blueberries and peaches as summer builds. Good choice if you want flexibility on timing.
A longer drive (70–115 miles), but the farms are bigger and the scenery is worth it. Plan for a full day.
Fishkill Farms
Pick-Your-OwnFishkill brings back pick-your-own in June 2026. Reservations are required — book before you go. The farm is a multi-crop PYO operation that runs through the full summer with cherries, blueberries, and peaches following strawberry season.
⚠️ Reservations required. Note: strawberry PYO is not offered every year — confirm availability before booking.
🍓Kelder's Farm
FestivalKelder's Strawberry Festival runs all of June with 35+ on-site attractions — farm animals, rides, jumping pillows, and of course strawberry picking. The biggest festival-style strawberry experience near NYC. Worth the drive for a full family day out.
Mead Orchards
Pick-Your-OwnMead is the furthest drive on this list but offers something unusual — June 2026 brings strawberries, cherries, and blueberries all at once. A classic Hudson Valley orchard well worth the trip if you're making a full weekend of it.
The farms on this list run pick-your-own through the whole summer and into fall. Once strawberry season ends, here's what's next.
Season peak hits fast. Go early morning on a weekday if you can.
Short season — typically 2–3 weeks. Check farms daily during peak.
Long season, low to the ground — perfect for toddlers.
A sweet reward for a hot-day drive.
The classic fall day trip. Dozens of varieties — most farms run festivals too.
Many farms add hayrides and corn mazes. Peak crowds on October weekends.
Parent Tips
Book ahead for Fishkill Farms — They require reservations for PYO. Check their site before driving up.
Go early, go weekday — Berries get picked out fast on weekend mornings. Aim for 9am on a Thursday or Friday for the best selection.
Dress for the farm — Closed-toe shoes, sun hat, and sunscreen. Fields have no shade and dirt gets everywhere.
Check before you drive — Strawberry season timing shifts with weather. Follow farms on Instagram or call the day before — most post daily harvest updates.
Strawberries are great for toddlers — Low to the ground, easy to spot red, and instant feedback. Probably the best first picking crop for little ones.
Container tip — Some farms charge for picking containers. Bring a reusable grocery bag or flat-bottomed basket just in case.