Sunflower fields and mazes on Long Island
Heather Berti and her daughter, Lilly, of Smithtown, enjoy a day in the sunflower field at Waterdrinker Family Farm & Garden in Manorville. Credit: John Roca
Long Island farms have a special treat for visitors during the summer: a chance to frolic in fields of bright yellow sunflowers. Some allow visitors to pick their own, while others have mazes and photo opportunities that add to the fun. Along with the season's favorite flora, some fields feature other flowers, including cosmos, dahlias and zinnias, plus farm stands selling fruits, vegetables and baked goods.
Here are locations that offer experiences where sunflowers are the main attraction and photo ops abound.
Harbes Family Farm
715 Sound Ave., Mattituck
Lily Varghese, left, Amelia Varghese, and Selah Varghese, with their dad, Justin Varghese, of Mineola, at Harbes Family Farm in Mattituck. Credit: Morgan Campbell
The annual Sunflower Festival runs 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 11-12, with live music from 1 to 5 p.m. both days.
The sunflower field is open daily through the summer for strolls, photo ops with a purchase of the Barnyard Adventure ticket ($18.95-$29.95) or buy bunches of flowers at the farmstand.
Admission to the Barnyard Adventure includes access to the field along with a musical hayride and pig races (weekends). There are farm animals, jumbo jumpers bounce pillows, and a sports zone with baseball, football and basketball tossing games. Kids can enjoy the Lil’ Farmers PlayLand for preschoolers, a trike track, obstacle courses and a musical animatronic chicken show.
- OPEN 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday-Sunday through August
- COST No picking; Monday-Thursday (admission: $18.95), Fridays (admission: $26.95) and Saturdays-Sundays (admission: $29.95) and holidays for Barnyard Adventure granting access to field; prices start at $2 for a sunflower stem and $10.95 for a bunch, credit card only
- MORE INFO 631-482-7641, harbesfamilyfarm.com
Manor Farm
210 Manor Rd., Huntington
The sunflower fields open in July (weather permitting). Guests can walk through the sunflower maze or head to the trail head that leads to Berkeley Jackson County Park. Explore the farm, where you’ll encounter a bee apiary and pollination garden.
- OPEN Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily late July through mid-September
- COST No picking; free, donations accepted
- MORE INFO 631-213-1927, starflowerexperiences.org
Pindar Vineyards
37645 Rte. 25, Peconic
Sebastian LeBron hands his dad, Silverio, a sunflower that he and his mom, Amanda, picked at Pindar Vineyards in Peconic. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
The vineyard celebrates more than 40 years of growing sunflowers in a field next to the tasting house. Clippers are supplied so visitors can pick their own sunflowers. The vineyard also hosts occasional live music, winery tours and wineglass painting workshops.
- OPEN 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily mid-August to early September
- COST $2 per stem
- MORE INFO 631-734-6200, pindar.net
Patty's Berries and Bunches
410 Sound Ave., Mattituck
A sunflower field at Patty's Berries and Bunches in Mattituck. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Take a stroll through the fields and spot sunflowers (July through October) and other seasonal blooms like cosmos, dahlias and zinnias. Grab homemade ice cream made with farm ingredients.
- OPEN 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through October. Last entry into the field is 5:30 p.m.
- COST No picking; $10 to enter field includes carton for your own berry picking. Raspberry, blueberry and blackberry picking (pint container) in July and August; $2 per stem.
- MORE INFO 631-655-7996, pattysberriesandbunches.org. Pets are not allowed in the picking rows.
Waterdrinker Family Farm & Garden and Waterdrinker North Fork
Waterdrinker Family Farm & Garden: 663 Wading River Rd., Manorville;
Waterdrinker North Fork: 4560 Sound Ave., Riverhead
Aldo Gonzalez snaps photos of Nicole York and her dog among the sunflowers at Waterdrinker Farm in Riverhead. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Guests can pick their own sunflowers in the fields from mid-to-late summer through the fall at both locations. Meet barnyard animals, play mini golf, hop on the jump pads and ride tractor pedal cars. The first annual Sunflower Summer Festival features vendors and takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 18-19 in Manorville.
- OPEN 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through October. Riverhead location closed Monday-Tuesday.
- COST $20 (includes photo opportunities and children's activities including barnyard animals, mini golf and jump pads); $2 per stem
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MORE INFO Manorville: 631-878-8653; Riverhead: 631-779-2130, water-drinker.com. Leashed dogs permitted.
Lenny Bruno Farms
740 Wading River Rd., Manorville
Sunflowers at Lenny Bruno Farms in Manorville. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Head to the farm for the Sweet Summerfest featuring U-pick sunflowers, live music, artisan vendors, a watermelon eating contest, a foam bubble party, playgrounds, pony rides and jumbo garden games. The farm offers animal meet and greets, photo opportunities and fresh produce for sale. Hop on a scenic hayride tour with farm owner Anthony Bruno to learn how the vegetables are grown ($5 additional fee).
- OPEN 1 to 7 p.m. July 18
- COST $10; $1 per stem (There is no fee to walk through the fields when there is not an event happening)
- MORE INFO 631-591-3592, lennybrunofarms.com
Rottkamp’s Fox Hollow Farm
2287 Sound Ave., Baiting Hollow
The sunflower maze at Rottkamp's Fox Hollow Farm in Baiting Hollow. Credit: Randee Daddona
Walk through acres of sunflowers and find photo props in the field for selfies. While visiting, check out the soft-serve ice cream shack.
- OPEN 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday end of July or beginning of August
- COST Maze is $8 ages 5 and older, cash only; free for ages 5 and younger.
- MORE INFO 631-727-1786
Newsday's Gina Tabarus contributed to this article.
