Fall fun for families: These Hudson Valley farms offer corn mazes
Shaniquah GabinoSome of us are just not into apple picking, but that doesn't mean you can't have some family fun on a farm. Many offer corn mazes, a popular activity in which paths are cut through the corn fields for you to wander.
The mazes often boast pictures and messages that can only be seen from above. Fishkill Farms, for example, created its maze in homage to the late mother of the farm's owner.
There are plenty in the mid Hudson to choose from, including a scarecrow-shaped maze, scavenger hunts and mazes with a little extra fun. Round up the family and see if you can find your way to the end and enjoy other activities available for a great day outing.
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Orange County
Manza Family Farm: Fall festival, which features a straw maze, begins Sept. 25. Open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Go: 730 State Route 211, Montgomery, 845-692-4364, manzafamilyfarm.net/10.html
Pierson’s Farm: Sunflowers and mazes every Saturday in September. With a $10 admission, enjoy two corn mazes and the sunflower maze, petting zoo, trike track, individual bounce balls, and a tube glider. For an additional charge you can purchase sunflower buckets, a rubber duck for duck races, and gem mining bags. Go: 1448 Route 211, Middletown. 845-386-1882. piersonsfarm.com
Social Island: Admission $12 per person; $15 all-day pass includes the hay ride; children age 5 and under admitted for free. Pumpkin picking ($2-$10 depending on size), corn maze, tractor pulled hay rides ($5), food truck (Saturdays only), jump houses, pedal karts, live music on the weekends (for a schedule check out the event schedule on their website), flower picking for an additional charge and Fall activities. Go: 939 Pulaski Highway, Goshen. 845-545-5997. socialislandfarm.com
Sunflower Valley Farm: Go: 366 County Route 12, New Hampton. 845-843-9372.
Twin Ponds on the Farm: One of the highlights of this family farm, in business for 75 years, is its seven acre corn maze. Not only can you wind through the maze, there are so many activities including yard games, three ninja walls, tug of war, a mini hay maze and plenty more. All activities are included for $15, all ages, children 3 and under are free. Season passes are also available. Open Fri. 3-10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Go: 531 River Road, Montgomery 845-457-1830. twinpondsonthefarm.com.
Wright Family Farm: This farm has a maze and pumpkin patch, allowing plenty of room for social distancing. Farm stand features seasonal produce, fresh baked goodies, hot dogs and snacks. Go: 325 Kings Highway, Warwick, 845-986-1345, wrightfamilyfarm.com
Ulster County
Clarke’s Family Farm: Opening day is Sept. 18 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Oct. 24, free corn maze along with a trailer ride, pumpkin picking and organic apples. Go: 2086 Route 44/55, Modena, 845-901-7442. clarkesfamilyfarm.com
DuBois Farm: The farm, which offers u-pick, a Tavern, and tractor rides, among its attractions, also has a 2-acre corn maze. Open every day from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Nov. 24. Go: 209 Perkinsville Road, Highland. 845-795-4037. duboisfarms.com.
Hurds Family Farm: This year's corn maze will be in the shape of a scarecrow and will be open Fri.-Mon. from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., open privately for large groups on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Go: 2187 State Route 32, Modena. 845-883-7825. hurdsfamilyfarm.com.
Kelder's Farm: Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Wednesdays. Go: 5755 Route 209 Kerhonkson. 845-626-7137. keldersfarm.com
Locust Grove Fruit Farm: Go: 199 North Road, Milton. 845-795-5194. locustgrovefruitfarm.com
Wallkill View Farm Market: The corn maze is open for the month of October from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Admission is $5 and at the end of the maze all will receive a sugar pumpkin. Go: 15 Route 299 W., New Paltz. 845-255-8050. wallkillviewfarmmarket.com
Weed Orchards & Winery: Go: 43 Mount Zion Road, Marlboro. 845-236-9357. weedorchards.com
Sullivan County
Cunningham Family Farm: Make your way through a four-acre corn maze (and if you get lost, you will be found.). There is plenty of fun and games with a Ghost Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win one of two $25 gift cards to Toys R Us. The second part of the maze includes the Lost Irishman’s Gems scavenger hunt where you can find gems and unscramble the letter clues to find the lost gems. For the little ones there will be the Candy Corn Land path so there is fun for everyone, any age. Go: 233 Hurd and Parks Road, Swan Lake, 845-583-4083. cunninghamfamilyfarms.com/corn-maze
Saunderskill Farm: Corn maze is open Tues.-Sun. from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Go: 5100 Route 209, Accord. 845-626-2676. saunderskill.com
Dutchess County
Barton Orchards: Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Go: 63 Apple Tree Lane, Pughquag. 845-227-2306. bartonorchards.com
Fishkill Farms: Explore a 3-acre corn maze for charity with a $3 maze entry and every $1 goes to a local charity. This year's maze will have a typewriter etched in to honor farm owner Josh Morgenthau's mother, Lucinda, who passed earlier this year. Open from Sept. 18-Oct. 31. Corn maze tickets can be purchased at the entrance of the maze. Reservations can be made on the website. Go: 9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction. 845-897-4377. fishkillfarms.com
Westchester
Outhouse Orchards: This maze is a puzzle for those who take a walk through it. Clues are scattered about. Spoiler alert: This year's maze is a spectacular rendition of a field of dinosaurs. Outhouse requires advance reservations for apple picking; tickets required for corn maze. Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Go: 139 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, 914-277-3188. outhouseorchardsny