A Harvester’s Guide to Niagara County

Experience the spoils of each growing season at the region’s farms and orchards.

There’s something undeniably satisfying about picking your produce straight from the source. Thanks to its unique climate and rich soil, Niagara County is a veritable haven for u-pick farms, fun farm activities for kids and festivals that celebrate the freshest picks. Here’s where to go to embrace your inner agrarian.


June and July: Berries and Cherries Galore

  • For many locals, the opening of Coulter Farms fruit farm and market marks the unofficial start of summer. Celebrate the season with a few bushels of freshly picked strawberries, cherries and raspberries.
  • Home to one of the largest orchards of dwarf cherries in the eastern United States, Bittner-Singer Orchards is the perfect place for picking sweet and tart cherries. And unlike traditional cherry orchards, you don’t need a ladder to reach the best of the bunch.
  • Locally known for their peaches and apples, Sanger Farms in Youngstown is a must-stop every July for their refreshing cherry slushies — made from fresh picked fruits.
  • Juicy blueberries and stunning views battle to be the star of the show at Russell’s U-Pick Blueberries, where visitors get to pick their own highbush blueberries along the shores of Lake Ontario.

August through October: Apples, Peaches and Pumpkins — Oh My!

Apples to Apples

  • Nothing says fall quite like apple picking in Niagara County. The months of September and October are prime time for apple picking in Niagara Falls USA with a variety of apples including Early Macs, Ginger Golds, Empires, and many others.
  • For apple picking paired with a glass of local wine, head to Freedom Run Winery, where Niagara County’s fertile glacial soil nurtures wine grapes and apples alike.
  • Or if you’d prefer a glass of fresh, crisp apple cider, head to Cherry Bank Farm Cider Mill and Smith’s Orchard Cider Mill to pick up seasonal ciders and other homemade baked goods.
  • Celebrate the annual local harvest at the Newfane Apple Harvest Festival in September, a free event that has been running for more than 40 years. Along with apples, visitors can enjoy food, music, performances and more.

Peaches and Pumpkins

  • Heading into its 66th year this September, the Niagara County Peach Festival in Lewiston is a celebration of so much more than everyone’s favorite stone fruit. Carnival rides, live entertainment and a parade provide fun for all ages, while the variety of food options ensure nobody goes home hungry. Just make sure to save room for the signature peach shortcake — it’s a Niagara tradition.
  • As the summer sun gives way to October’s spooky season, seasonal produce follows suit. Revel in the magic of fall at Becker Farms’ annual Pumpkin Fiesta, where hayrides, bounce houses and goat races are all on offer, but the real star of the show is everyone’s favorite autumnal gourd. Pick your pumpkins and have some fun!

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