Two Hudson Valley Farms Just Earned Spots Among the Best in America

The numbers are in and the Hudson Valley is a top spot to celebrate fall, especially if you're going apple and pumpkin picking.

Hudson Valley Well Represented For Fall 2026

As the summer of 2026 came to an end, USA Today started to send their experts across the country to collect fall festive data.

These experts picked their top 20 picks for the 10 Best Pumpkin Patches and 10 Best Apple Orchards in the nation.

Then the public got to work narrowing down the top 20 to the 10 Best. In the Pumpkin Patch category, Kelder's Farm in Kerhonkson was the only Hudson Valley representative.

For the Best Apple Orchard category, there were 3 New York orchards on the list: Minard Family Farm in Clintondale, Outhouse Orchards in North Salem and Beak and Skiff in Lafayette.

The votes are in and have been counted. How did the Hudson Valley fare?

Kerhonkson Pumpkin Patch Reaches Highest Finish In National Contest

Kelder's Farm made the cut again this year, cracking the top 10 for the 5th year in a row.

According to a post on the Kelder's Farm social media accounts, they have been voted the 3rd best in the nation. Kelder's Farm shared their appreciation for the votes and support writing:

We want to send out a massive, heartfelt THANK YOU to all of our incredible fans and loyal customers! Every single vote, visit, and shared memory brought us here—we truly couldn’t have done this without your love and support.

Kelder's Farm is open daily Thursday through Monday from 10 am to 6pm at 5755 US-209 in Kerhonkson.

Learn more about their Hudson Valley Fall Festival going on now at KeldersFarm.com

Minard Farm Locks In Top Apple Orchard Spot in the US

Apple picking is one of the most popular fall activities across the country, that's no secret.

But some orchards are better than others and everyone has their favorites. Minard Family Farm in Clintondale is one of those farms. They've got a strong following all over New York.

Former customers showed up big as Minard's Family Farm was voted the 2nd best apple orchard in the nation!

Minard wrote on Facebook:

The Minards have been growing apples in Clintondale since 1906 so this win has truly been a century in the making. It came to fruition in 2015, when we planted new roots in agritourism and opened the gates to a U-pick experience built to be best-in-class on a working apple orchard.

They go on to add "To every family who voted, visited, and believed in us: THANK YOU. You didn't just help us earn a national ranking you reminded us why we do this."

You can visit Minard's Family Farm at 250 Hurds Rd in Clintondale.

If you want to vote on more fall fun, USA Today is looking to crown the 10Best Haunted Attractions and a Hudson Valley favorite, Headless Horseman Hayride and Haunted Houses, is on the list!

Voting ends SOON, so get those votes in now!