Agritourism in the Greater Niagara Area of New York

Agritourism has taken hold across the country, and the Niagara region of New York is no different. Nestled against the Canadian border, Niagara county and the surrounding area has plenty of room for farms and other agritourism events that draw guests from all over the state. Fruit farms and wineries are most common, but you'll also find working ranches and children's farms.

If you want to get a handle on all things agritourism in the Niagara region, you might want to start by attending the Niagara Apple Fest in October. The event takes place in mid October every year at the Niagara County Fairgrounds, and admission is only $5. Here, you'll find hundreds of vendors from all over New York who want to share their fresh produce and baked goods with the rest of the world.

Although the theme behind the Niagara Apply Fest is apples, there are plenty of other foods to sample. Farmers sell everything from squash to oranges, to fresh baked bread and pastries. This entire event benefits agritourism enormously because guests can obtain contact information from the vendors and visit their facilities around the entire New York state.

You might also want to check out Murphy Orchards, which is a 65-acre fruit farm in Lockport, New York. This is a classic "U-Pick" agritourism site where you can select your own fruits and vegetables directly from the vines and trees. They grow several different types of cherries, apples, squash, raspberries, peaches, plums, and even herbs. You can also purchase ready-made jams and jellies for around $30 per basket (a basket holds 8-10 jars).

And finally, Becker Farms is another popular agritourism destination in the Niagara region of New York. Located in the heart of Gasport, Becker is a larger facility that provides numerous services and foods for purchase. Take an adult farm tour for $6 per person (add $2 if you want to enjoy a wine tasting), or attend Apple School and pick apples and pumpkins for a mere $7.50 per person. Their farm market has been open since the late 1800s, and includes every fruit and vegetable you can imagine. Prices are reasonable, including 24 apples for $50.