The Best Apple Cider Donut Destinations in the Hudson Valley
Article by Francesca Furey and Sabrina Sucato via HV Mag
If it’s autumn, it’s apple cider donut season. Here’s where to go for farm-fresh options in the Hudson Valley.
The arrival of fall brings so many wonderful experiences in the Hudson Valley. From apple picking to pumpkin picking, farms are at the center of it all. Of course, it wouldn’t be a farm visit without an apple cider donut or two! Here’s where to go for the sweetest treats in the Hudson Valley.
Pro tip: You’re going to want to bring some home! Cider donuts are an ideal breakfast or snack alongside a steamy cup of coffee or tea.
Adams Fairacre Farms
Kingston, Middletown, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Wappinger
Perks: multiple locations, onsite bakery, grocery shopping, garden center/nurseryHours: Mon-Sat, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sun, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Part farm market, part supermarket, Adams is 100-percent a favorite among Hudson Valleyites who want to shop and support local. Cider donuts are a staple here, and each location has a full service, in-store bakery to ensure they’re always as fresh as can be. Pair them with a glass of Adams’ own fresh-pressed apple cider (warm or cold, the choice is yours) for a top-notch autumn snack.
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Auntie El’s Farm Market
Sloatsburg
Perks: PYO pumpkins, country store and bakeryHours: daily, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Auntie El’s delicious fall staples include gluten-free and organic products so everyone can have a taste. The farm store also includes a one-of-a-kind store filled with antique gifts where you can find the perfect item to add to your collection. You might even get to pet the two dogs, Samson and Goliath, during your visit to this family-friendly farm shop.
Dr. Davies Farm
Congers
Perks: PYO apples and pumpkins, farm marketHours: daily, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The name of Dr. Davies Farm originates from its history, when Dr. Lucy Virginia Davies helped deliver more than 6,000 babies in her personal medical suite in the farmhouse. At the same time, she was a celebrated farmer because of her shipments of strawberries to New York City. Taste the years that went into making this farm what it is today by grabbing fresh produce from the road-stand or a warm donut.
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Dubois Farms
Highland
Perks: PYO apples and pumpkins, onsite winery and brewery, pizza shop, farm animalsHours: daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
At Dubois Farms, pick-your-own comes with a side of magnificent views of Ulster County. Besides yummy baked goods, visitors can grab a glass of homemade wine or craft beer at the tavern or a quick bite from the pizzeria. Make sure to stop by the market to pick up local goodies (and, of course, a cider donut or two).
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Fishkill Farms
Hopewell Junction
Perks: PYO apples and pumpkins, harvest festivals, onsite cideryHours: Tues-Sun, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fishkill Farms is rich with history as it was founded by the same man who would serve as Chairman of the Farm Credit Administration under President Roosevelt in 1934. As a strong proponent of ecological farming, the farm offers organic apples for personal picking. It also serves delicious cider donuts and other fall staples, plus outdoor yoga on weekends for some fresh air.
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Golden Harvest Farms
Valatie
Perks: onsite bakery, cider mill, smokehouse, distillery, road standHours: daily, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thought cider donuts were season-specific? Not at Golden Harvest. Its in-house bakery churns out cider donuts year-round, so if your cinnamon sugar game is permanently strong, you can satisfy your cravings just about any day of the year. And sure, you could wash it all down with apple cider (which is pressed from the farm’s apples and sold throughout the year), but we recommend a visit to Golden Harvest’s onsite farm distillery, Harvest Spirits, for the stellar Core Vodka.
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Hurds Family Farm
Modena
Perks: PYO apples and pumpkins, barn café, farm marketHours: Mon, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Fri, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sat-Sun, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Aside from the ever-important apple cider donuts that help define fall in the region, Hurds Family Farm offers experiences as a part of its Fall Festival that are traditional to the season. From hayrides to the corn maze, giant slide, and even an obstacle course and zip line, Hurds encourages families to have a blast in the Hudson Valley.
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Jones Farm
Cornwall
Perks: PYO apples, country store and gift shop, barn animalsHours: Wed-Sun, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
When you arrive at Jones Farm for a fresh apple cider donut, you can stop by Grandma Phoebe’s Kitchen, where Great, Great Grandma Phoebe’s recipes are used to keep the family tradition alive. The farm is also home to a country store, gift shop, frame shop, and art gallery that showcases the work of noted local artists.
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Maskers Orchards
Warwick
Perks: PYO apples, country storeHours: Daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
A destination for apple picking in the Hudson Valley for over 100 years, Maskers does fall vibes right in Warwick. Visitors can wander the farm’s 200 acres in search of the perfect apples for pies and turnovers. Before departing, everyone would do well to stop by the dedicated donut stands to pick up a fresh donut (or a whole carton) to take home.
Pennings Farm
Warwick
Perks: PYO apples, onsite beer garden, ice cream and bakeryHours: Mon-Wed, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Thurs-Sun, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
A true farm experience in the Hudson Valley, Pennings is a one-stop shop for apple picking at the orchard, shopping at the farm market and garden center, and local eats and drinks at the beer garden, ice cream stand, and pub and grill. Of course, every visit to the Warwick farm requires at least one of its signature cinnamon-coated donuts – preferably with a cup of cider in hand to wash it down.
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Saunderskill Farms
Accord
Perks: PYO apples and pumpkins, market and bakeryHours: Tues-Sun, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Perhaps the oldest farm on this list, Saunderskill has been farming since 1680. Granted the rare “Tricentennial Award” from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it has continuously been a source of fresh produce and homemade bakery items. Grab a fall treat and sit by the garden and pond to truly appreciate the changing of seasons in the Hudson Valley.
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Soons Orchards
New Hampton
Perks: PYO apples and pumpkins, farm storeHours: daily, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Soons Orchards encourages customers to eat local by providing the freshest products in its farm store. In addition, it offers farm dinners throughout the year as a way to spotlight in-season produce and show diners just how delicious eating local can be. For daytime visitors, head to the farm store or the tap room to browse goods and try cider to work up your donut appetite.
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Tantillo’s Farm Market
Gardiner
Perks: PYO apples and pumpkins, ice cream, farm storeHours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Fri-Sun, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
A former dairy farm, Tantillo’s has been a go-to for fresh fruit and veggies for over 80 years. Whether your visit is a day-long pick-your-own apple affair or a quick pitstop to the farm market, any trip to the fourth-generation farm isn’t complete without the award-winning cider donuts and a mouth full of cinnamon sugar.
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The Orchards of Concklin
Pomona
Perks: PYO apples, fresh baked goods, farm storeHours: daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Surviving both the American Revolution and the Civil War, the Concklin’s family farm has been in operation ever since. Pick-your-own season is in full swing on weekends, and the farm store stays stocked with breads, produce, and donuts. The onsite bakery turns out fresh pies and quiches daily, and ordering is available for Thanksgiving pies.
Twin Star Orchards
New Paltz
Perks: PYO apples, hard cider, wood-fired pizzaHours: Friday 12-8 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Twin Star Orchards is not only a great place to pick your own apples, but also the home of Brooklyn Cider, the venue’s in-house hard cider brand. Stop by the orchard on the weekend for sweet cider donuts and a glass of fresh fermented cider, and stick around for dinner to dig into wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and barbecue to savor your favorite summer foods all throughout autumn.
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Vera’s Marketplace and Garden Center
Cold Spring
Perks: marketplace and nurseryHours: Tues-Sat, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
A Cold Spring staple since 1982, this family-owned farm market and garden center consistently pumps out some of the best cider donuts around. Baked fresh each morning, the treats come plain or coated with powdered confectioner’s sugar, cinnamon sugar, or cinnamon powder. Whichever preference you proclaim, be sure to get there early because Vera’s sells out fast.
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Weed Orchards & Winery
Marlboro
Perks: PYO apples, winery, fall festivalsHours: Wed-Fri, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sat-Sun, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
This fifth-generation orchard and winery grows and assortment of fruits, vegetables, and flowers for your pick-your-own enjoyment. Fall festivals like the Honeycrisp Fest and the Apples and Wine Festival are autumn staples in Ulster County, while the farm’s apple cider donuts are to die for. Pro tip: try yours stuffed with cannoli cream and chocolate chips for the ultimate sweet treat.
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