We love that New York State grows far more than apples and grapes. From the North Fork of Long Island to the fields outside Niagara Falls, family farms open their tulip, lavender and sunflower fields to visitors, and many let you cut a bunch to take home. Here are 14 real flower farms across the state, each one checked against its own website in October 2026.
One thing before you set off: flowers keep their own calendar. Tulips bloom in spring, lavender in early to mid summer, sunflowers in high summer, and every farm sets its open days around the weather. Many sell timed tickets for bloom season. We don’t list hours or prices here because they change every year; each farm’s own site (linked in every section) has the current dates, tickets and rules.
1. Lavender by the Bay, East Marion and Calverton (Long Island)
Lavender by the Bay is a family-owned lavender farm on Long Island’s North Fork, run since 2002. Its original 17-acre farm in East Marion holds more than 80,000 lavender plants, and in 2018 the family added a second field of more than 30 acres in Calverton. English lavender opens first, French lavender follows, and the farm shop sells lavender plants, honey and gifts. During the bloom, visits are by bloom tickets booked online, so check that page before you drive out.
2. Waterdrinker Family Farm, Manorville and Riverhead (Long Island)
Every spring Waterdrinker Family Farm holds its Long Island Tulip Festival at two farms: Manorville and Waterdrinker North Fork in Riverhead. The family says it planted more than 2.5 million tulips across the two farms for its 2026 festival, and visitors can pick their own stems. The festival usually runs for about four weeks in April and May, depending on the weather. In summer the farm switches to sunflowers with its Sunflower Summer Festival.
3. Hudson Wildflower Co., Milton (Hudson Valley)
Hudson Wildflower Co. is a pick-your-own flower farm on Old Indian Road in Milton, in Ulster County. Ulster County Tourism lists it among the county’s farms, and it pairs well with the other farms and wineries around Milton and Marlborough. Open days follow the growing season, so look at the farm’s pick-your-own page before you go.
4. Kelder’s Farm, Kerhonkson (Hudson Valley)
Kelder’s Farm sits on US Route 209 in Kerhonkson, in Ulster County. The farm grows more than 50 kinds of fruits, vegetables and flowers through the season, and its calendar includes a spring Tulip Festival, a Flower Festival and a summer Sunflower Extravaganza, along with more than 35 farm attractions for all ages. The farm’s U-pick availability page shows what is ready to pick that week.
5. Germantown Farms, Germantown (Hudson Valley)
On a little over 128 acres in Columbia County, Germantown Farms invites visitors to pick their own wildflowers and sunflowers, with part of the proceeds going to local Germantown non-profits. The farm says it uses no pesticides, and it also offers a butterfly experience and hayfields to wander. The gardens open in summer; the farm’s site has this year’s dates.
6. Vine Gate Lavender Floral Farm, Hillsdale (Hudson Valley)
Vine Gate Lavender Floral Farm is run by Ron and Maria on Whippoorwill Road in Hillsdale, in Columbia County. In bloom season, visitors can pick their own lavender and cut flowers, and the farm runs hands-on classes and workshops. There is a lavender farm store too. Subscribe on the farm’s site or follow it on social media for the season’s hours.
7. Lavenlair Farm, Whitehall (Adirondacks)
Matt and Linda’s Lavenlair Farm on Deweys Bridge Road in Whitehall calls itself the only lavender farm in the Adirondacks. The farm offers U-pick lavender, tours and photography sessions, and sells its own lavender products online and at the farm. It posts open days on its site and social media, so check before you make the drive north.
8. Critz Farms, Cazenovia (Central New York)
Critz Farms on State Route 13 in Cazenovia, Madison County, lists a sunflower labyrinth among its summer attractions. The same farm runs pick-your-own apples, blueberries, pumpkins and Christmas trees, a cider mill, and a brewery and cidery with a tap room, so a flower visit easily turns into a full afternoon. See the farm’s site for which attractions are open in each season.
9. North Star Orchards, Westmoreland (Central New York)
North Star Orchards on Route 233 in Westmoreland, Oneida County, describes its tulip field as Central New York’s first you-cut tulip field. The farm plants 75,000 new bulbs every fall, and the tulips usually show color in May. Cutting start dates depend on temperature and sunshine, so the farm announces them on social media. Note that pets are not allowed on the property.
10. Spring Creek Lavender, Remsen (Central New York)
Spring Creek Lavender is a family-friendly lavender and flower farm in Remsen, Oneida County. Visitors come for U-pick lavender, the flower fields and a butterfly house, and the farm also hosts goat yoga, flower workshops and a lavender festival. The farm store and field hours change through the year; the visit page has the current ones.
11. Hillcrest Lavender Farm, Sherburne (Central New York)
In the hills of Chenango County, Hillcrest Lavender Farm opens its field for U-pick lavender when it blooms, which the farm says is generally mid-July to mid-August. Tools for cutting are provided, and you are welcome to bring a picnic. There is a swing in the lavender field and a small flock of Babydoll sheep, and after the picking season the family distills the lavender into the oils, sprays and lotions sold in the farm shop.
12. Stokoe Farms, Scottsville (Finger Lakes)
Southwest of Rochester, Stokoe Farms runs a summer Sunflower Experience, and every admission includes a sunflower bloom to take home. On two Friday evenings each summer the farm holds Twilight Sunflowers, with food and music as the sun goes down over the field. Dates and tickets are on the farm’s sunflower page.
13. Kin Loch Farmstead, Cambria (Niagara)
Kin Loch Farmstead is a private 30-acre farm on Ridge Road in Cambria, a short drive from Niagara Falls. Its lavender field holds more than 3,000 English and French lavender plants, and each July, during the annual harvest, the farm opens to the public so visitors can cut their own bouquets and join lavender classes and events. The rest of the year it is a wedding venue and small winery, so plan your visit for July.
14. Sunflowers of Sanborn, Sanborn (Niagara)
Sunflowers of Sanborn grew out of a third-generation Niagara County farm that mainly raises corn, soybeans and wheat. After losing both of her parents, the owner and her husband planted sunflowers to bring something bright and cheerful to the family farm, and the fields now draw visitors for U-pick sunflowers and family activities. Tickets and dates are on the farm’s site.
Before you go
When should we go?
Plan by flower, not by date. The farms above say their tulips bloom in April and May, their lavender from about June into August, and their sunflowers in summer, but a warm or cold spell can move everything by a week or two. Check the farm’s site or social media the week you plan to go.
Do we need tickets?
Often, yes. Several of these farms sell timed or dated tickets in bloom season, and some only open on set days. Book on the farm’s own site so you are not turned away at the gate.
Can we bring the dog?
It depends on the farm: some welcome leashed dogs and others don’t allow pets at all. Each farm lists its rules on its website, so read them before you load the car.
Planning a longer trip out of the city? Our guide to the best day trips from New York City pairs well with a Hudson Valley or Long Island flower farm.
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