Autumn is one of the most magical seasons. The air starts to crisp, the sweaters come out, and the leaves turn to vibrant, fiery shades. And with each fall, of course, comes pumpkin season! If you are looking for the best way to get out with the ones you love the most, there are a few farms around the state you need to check out. As a New Jersey family photographer, I adore working with parents so they can figure out how to make the most of each season. Here are the best pumpkin-picking farms in NJ!
Celebrate This Beautiful Season With Some Fantastic Pumpkin-Picking Farms In NJ
Hillview Farms
223 Meyersville Road, Gillette, New Jersey 07933
Hillview Farms has been a staple in the community for over 150 years. This property is nestled on 50 acres and brings you a variety of crops throughout the growing season. Their U-Pick crops include apples, blueberries, and peaches. Each October, they open up the fields so families can come out and pick apples and pumpkins. You can spend a few hours exploring the fields and making some memories along the way. While you are there, be sure to stop at the country store. This charming space offers farm-raised eggs, fresh produce, and homemade ciders and pies.
Happy Day Farm
106 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan NJ 07726
One of the most popular pumpkin picking farms in NJ because of their delightful photo op area aptly named “Pumpkinville”, Happy Day Farm is definitely a destination you should plan on arriving early for especially on weekends. During peak pumpkin picking season, on the weekends tickets are available online only for their “Fall Festival Days” (Friday, Saturday & Sunday). You can find over 35 activities to partake in with your family at the farm and included with your admission ticket. Animal zoo, corn box, Snoopy corn maze, corn tunnel, fun slide, hi-striker, horse lasso, horse swings, pedal carts, pig races, pirate ship, tetherball, tire mountain, tug-o-war, just to name a few!
Middle Valley Farms
304 Pleasant Valley Road, Mendham Township, New Jersey 07945
Since 2001, Middle Valley Farms has been a locally owned and operated pumpkin-picking farm that combines ancient practices with current technology to produce a wide range of NJ products. They love working with classes and groups so they can show them how to produce from the seed to their table. During the fall, they have a 5-acre corn maze as well as hayrides out to the pumpkin fields. Once you arrive, you can go on the hunt until each person in the family has their perfect pumpkin. They work hard to pack tons of activities each weekend so you can have your ideal fall day.
Ort Farms
25 Bartley Road, Long Valley, New Jersey 07853
Ort farms has been family owned for six generations, and is a quieter less commercial farm. Offering a myriad of activities for little ones and family alike – including tractor and monster truck rides, an apple canon, farm animals, hayrides, and other entertainment spaces. You can also pick pumpkins both on and off the vine. Their cow train ride is especially popular with the kiddos! For weekend visits, pre-purchase of tickets is required to ensure your visit goes smoothly. During the week, they offer special kids activities like mom & me on Mondays, and story time at the farm on Thursday mornings.
Wightman Farms
1111 Mt. Kemble Ave, Morristown, New Jersey 07960
Since 1922, Wightman Farms has been providing New Jersey residents with the perfect fall family escape. During pumpkin picking season, your weekend fall festival all-inclusive ticket gets you all the fun! Unlimited hayrides, access to “mazeland”, and a visit to their apple orchard is included in the ticket. PLUS you get a free pumpkin with each ticket. Mazeland offers up 7 different activities including corn, and haybale mazes, tunnels, and labyrinths to explore. A farm schoolhouse offers up a little bit of learning about apples and bees, and don’t forget to buy tickets for their pumpkin slingshot!
Fairfield Farms
177 Big Pierce Road, Fairfield, New Jersey 07004
Fairfield Farms is a picturesque pumpkin-picking farm that features 20 acres of NJ land you can explore. They have 8 greenhouses on the site and grow produce sold all across New Jersey. Each fall, they host a variety of activities that will put you in the mood for the season. They open up on the third weekend of September and offer a haunted trail, a kid-friendly corn maze, the famous Big Bale Mountain, hayrides, and a rope maze. You can also hang out with a goat family while you’re there. The pumpkin patch is full of options, so you can spend as much time as you need finding your perfect one. They additionally sell decorations, including mums, cornstalks, straw bales, and decorative gourds.
Alstede Farms
1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, New Jersey 07930
Alstede Farms is packed with family adventures that are guaranteed to get you in the autumn mood! This farm has pick-your-own harvests throughout the years with plants such as strawberries, peas, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, tomatoes, flowers, pumpkins, and apples. During the day, there are corn mazes, an and tractor nights. Throughout the evenings, you can stop by for live entertainment and food truck nights.
Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton NJ 08540
Enjoy your day with the open, fresh air activities at Terhune Orchards. Children’s play areas include pedal cars, duck races, little tots farm store and a junior mechanics shop. While timed entry tickets are required, there are different levels and experiences of tickets, including a wine experience in their wine orchard for adults. Pick your pumpkin and then head over to the painting station for your little ones to decorate theirs before heading home with some cider slush in hand.
Your Family Will Love Picking Their Favorite Gourds At These Pumpkin-Picking Farms In NJ
With these pumpkin-picking farms in NJ, you can stop by and have your perfect fall weekend. Be sure to plan your trip soon so you don’t miss out!
Are you looking for more ways to make this season memorable? Then, I would love to connect! I am a New Jersey family photographer, and I love working with families so they can freeze the moments that matter the most. If you have been considering scheduling a session with your crew, send me a message today so you can decide if my style matches yours!
Sofia Ribeiro Photography is a NJ Newborn & Maternity Photographer, serving Union, Morris, Sussex, Bergen, Monmouth, and Middlesex counties in the North and Central New Jersey. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with the latest!
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