Out of town: U-pick at Windy Acres Orchard convenient and fun for families

If you’re looking for a fruitful and family-friendly orchard that’s an easy drive from town and offers a variety of U-pick options, check out Windy Acres Orchard on Middle Country Road in Calverton.

The family-operated orchard is a convenient option for young families, with a tractor that drives you to the apple-picking area (with views of a beautiful white horse and goats on the way), and labeled rows of apple trees that can be easily navigated. Bring a wagon or beach cart if you’re planning a major apple haul, and pack water.

This weekend, apple options will include Gala, McIntosh, Sansa, Zestar, AutumnCrisp and Crimson Gold. Yellow peaches are also still available, along with an array of vegetables like string beans, eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes and cabbage.

The price for U-pick is either $12 per person, with each getting a quarter-peck bag to fill, or $45 for a one-peck box that can be shared by four people or less.

When you’re done picking, there’s a large playground with several wooden structures that make for adorable photo ops. There are also picnic tables and reasonably priced food options, including hot dogs, fries, grilled corn, donuts and ice cream.

If you want to extend your day after hitting the orchard, consider heading about 12 minutes west to the Long Island Farm Brewery, which has a large outdoor area with lawn games and tables. If you don’t mind going a little further east, the Riverhead Cider House is another great option, where you’ll hear live music, choose from 13 housemade ciders (try the cinnamon toast cider with a cinnamon rim), and serve the kids apple juice with a giant pretzel.

Windy Acres Orchard is located at 3810 Middle Country Road in Calverton, right off exit 71 on the Long Island Expressway. During apple picking season, it’s open for U-pick from 10am-4:30pm. Check out their Facebook page for each week’s fruit options and weather-related closures.