Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm — Attraction in Town of Yorktown

I was at this farm on Sunday, 10/8/2023.

I am giving it one star because the whole day was just chaotic and really disorganized. There was way too many people, and the lines for everything inside the farm was way too long. We figured that since it rained hard all day Saturday that everyone decided to come to this farm on Sunday, hence the massive crowds.

The lines of cars was very long and I didn’t want to wait hours just to get in and find parking so I decided to ask the police officer who was posted at a roadblock and he advised me to just park on the residential street. Once we parked we walked another 15 minutes to the farm in what seemed like there was only one lane in and one lane out. The farm is situated near a quiet and upscale residential neighborhood, and in a way I felt bad about imposing on the neighborhood. But at this point in time I just wanted to enjoy my day.

Inside the farm I was not impressed with the quality of available apples on the trees. Many of them were weather damaged and eaten out by bugs. The pumpkins didn’t look too good either. The prices were exorbitantly expensive. My wife took notice at this and told me that it would be better to just get our apples from our local supermarket.

I didn’t really notice any worthwhile kiddy activities so my 6 year old daughter got bored very fast. All in all we only stayed here for about 1.5 hours before we all decided to leave.

The other thing was that due to the rain on Saturday, most of the farm grounds were muddy. Peoples cars were getting stuck in the mud while trying to find parking. People who went there in their nice clothes came out with mud all over their shoes and pants. For me I really didn’t care because my shoes are old and need to be replaced anyway. As for the cars getting stuck in the mud I noticed that the staff was nice enough to try to help push the cars out but I don’t think it should be their job to do so.

Anyway I’ve ranted and rambled long enough and if you’ve read my review this...

We went the first weekend they were open for Christmas trees, and a reservation was required. We had a reservation and arrived 10 minutes prior as requested. The farm itself is great and has all the things you want from a tree farm: cider, donuts, a winery, gorgeous trees. The guys that helped us cut the tree and tie it to the car were very helpful and friendly. The day was nearly ruined by the woman working the check in table, who was incredibly rude. When I first approached her to ask about the process, she asked if I had a reservation, to which I said yes, and she waved me away and told me to wait. We saw other groups waiting near us that mentioned their own confusion and rudeness from the woman. One woman even said “I need to find a new place for trees” as she walked by us. Finally after about 10 minutes, now past our reservation time, I asked her again and she asked again if we had a reservation. She finally checked me off her list and gave me a blue ticket, waving us away again. Fast forward to when we have gotten our tree shaken and wrapped and my partner goes to get the car to bring it to the pickup area. The woman stops him saying he didn’t follow directions and he can’t go to the pickup area without a ticket and after arguing for 5-10 minutes and her threatening to call security on him, my partner turns around and parks the car again. We eventually got through the process but I will just say the woman’s treatment of us left a terrible taste in our mouths. We were going to stay and visit the farm shop and winery, but left immediately after getting our tree. I completely understand how opening weekend for something like this could be stressful and hectic, but perhaps add more signage and/or have more people stationed around to guide people. We asked multiple people at different times where we had to go to XYZ. At the very least, don’t have someone like that working your most public...

We went to Wilkins the last weekend in September. We arrived at about 10:10 and it was already getting full. We were meeting up with family who arrived about 10 minutes after us and they weren't allowed in. Luckily, the farm had enough to keep the kids entertained until the rest of our party could get in with the next group at 11:45. The bakery line was shorter in the morning so I was glad to stop there before we did our apple picking. Same for the small market- it was nearly empty in the morning but as we left around 2, there was a line out the building. The caramel walnut apple pie was AMAZING. I might have to come back every year just for that alone.

Apple picking was fine. Lots of varieties were still available when we came, just had to walk further back. A bit of a walk, some of it slightly hilly, and no hayride because of COVID so it was a little rough on the younger kids. I didn't notice any poison ivy, but I did see signs and read notices about it (spraying the poison ivy would also kill the trees). Knowing it was there, we kept to the mowed grass and avoided walking between the trees and we had no problems.

Corn maze was easy and fun for the kids.

Pumpkin patch was cute. Wish it had been organized a liiiitle better as it was hars to maneuver the wagons in the patch itself, and stay out of the way of others.

But people mostly kept their masks on, though some were eating apples in the orchards as they walked. They weren't very good about social distancing, participate crowding in the lines. But the orchard itself was huge and easy enough to keep your own distance despite how crowded it was. Took off a star because I think they could have been better about reminding people to distance themselves in the lines, and their process of admitting people is a bit chaotic without a...