[Fall Agritourism Series ②] Drives and Picnics Among the Apple Trees: Masker Orchards, a Warwick Landmark

A Pretty Country Town Near New York City: Warwick and Its Apple-Growing History. Located at the southern end of Orange County, New York, Warwick is only about an hour and a half by car from New York City, making it one of the most accessible fall country getaways for city residents. Set among hilly slopes and gentle valleys, Warwick has long been known as one of the East Coast's leading apple-growing regions, thanks to its fertile soil and sunny climate. Every fall, the whole town takes on the feel of a festival.

A Pretty Country Town Near New York City: Warwick and Its Apple-Growing History

Located at the southern end of Orange County, New York, Warwick is only about an hour and a half by car from New York City, making it one of the most accessible fall country getaways for city residents. Set among hilly slopes and gentle valleys, Warwick has long been known as one of the East Coast's leading apple-growing regions, thanks to its fertile soil and sunny climate.

Source: NY&NJ. Database storage prohibited.

Every fall, the whole town takes on the feel of a festival. Dozens of large apple farms open one after another, and roadside stands selling fresh apple cider and apples appear along the roads. Warwick does more than sell produce: the entire town works like one giant fall theme park, offering visitors a hometown warmth and the abundant atmosphere unique to a country village.

Apple growing in Warwick dates back more than 200 years. Farming was once mainly a means of subsistence, but after the mid-20th century, as the New York metropolitan area expanded and weekend getaway culture developed, the town became a key agritourism destination welcoming city dwellers. Among Warwick's apple farms, one that has represented the era with a unique history and scale is Masker Orchards.

Drive Right Up to the Apple Trees: Masker Orchards' Distinctive "Drive-In" Picking

Founded in 1913 and boasting a tradition of more than 110 years, Masker Orchards is synonymous with apple picking in Warwick and a landmark of the area. Tens of thousands of apple trees grow on a vast property of more than 200 acres, and the large orchard offers a system that is both highly unusual and appealing, one rarely found at other farms: "Drive-In" picking, which lets visitors drive their cars deep into the orchard.

At typical orchards, visitors park at the entrance and walk a long way or ride a shuttle tractor. At Masker Orchards, visitors can instead drive their own cars at a leisurely pace along paths between trees with drooping apple branches. They can park in the section with the apple variety they want, open the trunk right there, take out their picnic gear and start picking. This offers unmatched convenience and a special experience for families with young children or older relatives, as well as for day-trippers who bring camping chairs and picnic tables.

Dozens of apple varieties are grown in separate sections of the orchard, including McIntosh, Cortland, red Spartan, Empire and the Delicious series. By following the map and apple variety guide handed out at the farm entrance, visitors can find the orchard sections where the apples are at their ripest for that point in the season. Rubbing an apple just picked from the tree against your clothes and biting into it, with its crisp texture and sweet juice, is the best gift Masker Orchards has to offer.

A Fall Picnic in the Middle of the Orchard, and Other Farm Fun

One tradition that visitors to Masker Orchards never skip is the "picnic under the apple trees." Spreading out a picnic mat in the shade of the tree where you parked, and sharing a lunch packed at home or hot food bought at the farm, is something of a Masker Orchards signature.

The barn store at the center of the farm sells warm apple pies baked every morning, cider doughnuts, freshly pressed cold apple cider, fruit jams and handmade cheese. Warm apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream, filled with the sweet scent of apples, is a taste visitors remember for a long time. On weekends, a variety of events for kids, including pony rides, a hay-bale playground and farm animal feeding, let the whole family enjoy the day without noticing the time pass.

Throughout the sprawling farm, red apples and autumn foliage come together to create spots where any photo turns out memorable. Away from city noise and man-made structures, taking photos and chatting with loved ones in nature, amid the smell of earth and apples, gives modern-day visitors a true sense of abundance and calm.

Exploring Downtown Warwick, Nearby Wineries and the Waterfront

After a full day at Masker Orchards, we recommend a route that takes in the charming downtown Warwick and nearby attractions. Downtown Warwick has well-preserved 18th- and 19th-century-style buildings, lined with cute gift shops, boutique clothing stores, antique shops and independent bookstores, making it ideal for a leisurely stroll.

The Warwick area is known not only for apples but also for excellent wineries, breweries and distilleries. Nearby Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery offers strong artisan cider made from local apples, quality wines and a Calvados-style apple spirit. With outdoor music performances and open views of the orchard, it is an ideal spot for a tasting.

For those who want to enjoy the natural scenery even more, a visit to nearby Greenwood Lake is also worthwhile. This beautiful lake straddles the border between New York and New Jersey, and in fall the colorful foliage on the surrounding slopes reflected on the water makes for a spectacular view. Walking the lakeside trail, or climbing to a nearby overlook to take in all of fall-tinted Orange County, rounds out a rich fall agritourism trip to Warwick.

Visitor Information: Masker Orchards

Address: 45 Ball Rd, Warwick, NY 10990
Official website: www.maskers.com
Travel tips: Because drive-in picking is available, it is a good idea to bring a picnic mat and a folding chair in your trunk. Entry to the farm is free, and you pay according to the amount of apples you pick yourself (by the bag). Cars can back up on the entrance road on weekends, so we recommend arriving between 9 and 10 a.m.