Unearth The Voyage
New Jersey might be called the Garden State, but until you’ve spent a sunny afternoon picking apples straight off the branch, you haven’t truly earned that title. I took my kids to a pick-your-own farm last fall and we came home with three bags of apples, one very muddy dog, and a new family tradition.
From rolling orchards in the northwest hills to coastal plain berry patches, the state is packed with farms that offer way more than just fresh produce. Whether you’re chasing strawberries in June or pumpkins in October, New Jersey’s farm scene delivers the goods all season long.
Alstede Farms, Chester, New Jersey
Alstede Farms is basically the overachiever of New Jersey’s farm scene, and honestly, good for them. Stretching across hundreds of acres in Chester, this farm offers pick-your-own for over 30 different crops throughout the year.
Strawberries kick things off in late spring, followed by blueberries, peaches, and apples come fall.
The farm market is stocked with homemade jams, fresh-baked pies, and local honey that will make you question every grocery store decision you’ve ever made. There’s also a corn maze, hayrides, and a petting zoo, which means the kids will have zero complaints on the drive home.
I’ve never seen a child voluntarily eat a vegetable until they picked it themselves here.
Alstede runs seasonal events and farm camps too, making it a great educational stop for curious young minds. Check their website before visiting since crop availability changes weekly and some activities require advance tickets.
Terhune Orchards, Princeton, New Jersey
Terhune Orchards has been a Princeton staple since 1975, and it wears those decades of experience like a badge of honor. The farm grows over 200 varieties of apples, which is basically the apple version of an encyclopedia.
Fall visits feel downright magical here, with golden light filtering through the tree rows and the smell of fresh cider in the air.
Beyond apples, you can pick peaches, cherries, pumpkins, and sweet corn depending on the season. The farm store is loaded with their own wines, fresh pressed cider, and baked goods that disappear fast on weekends.
Terhune also hosts a popular fall festival with live music, wagon rides, and activities that keep everyone entertained for hours.
Wine lovers should note that Terhune produces estate wines from their own grapes, making it a solid stop for adults too. Weekdays are generally less crowded if you prefer a quieter experience among the trees.
Demarest Farms, Hillsdale, New Jersey
Demarest Farms has been feeding Bergen County families since 1886, and yes, that math is correct. This farm has been around longer than most countries have had electricity, and it’s still going strong with apple picking, a beloved farm market, and fresh-pressed cider that locals drive out of their way to grab every October.
The orchard offers a solid pick-your-own apple experience without the overwhelming crowds you sometimes find at bigger operations. It’s a more relaxed, neighborhood-feel kind of farm, which is part of the charm.
Their cider donuts are a local legend and tend to sell out early on weekends, so arrive hungry and arrive early.
The farm market also carries local cheeses, jams, and seasonal vegetables throughout the year. Demarest is a great choice if you want an authentic, no-frills farm experience that feels genuinely rooted in the community.
Parking can get tight on fall weekends, so plan accordingly.
Johnson’s Corner Farm, Medford, New Jersey
Johnson’s Corner Farm in Medford is the kind of place that makes you feel like fall was invented specifically for New Jersey. The farm has been operating for generations and offers pick-your-own strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and pumpkins depending on the time of year.
Their pumpkin patch in October is seriously impressive in scale.
The farm market is a full destination on its own, stocked with fresh produce, baked goods, specialty foods, and seasonal decor. Their homemade fudge alone is worth the trip, and I say that as someone who usually has no self-control around sweets.
Johnson’s Corner also runs a popular fall festival with hayrides, a corn maze, and live entertainment on weekends.
The farm hosts school field trips and birthday party packages, making it a go-to for local families looking to celebrate with a side of fresh air. Arrive on weekday mornings for the smoothest experience and the best selection of just-picked produce.
Von Thun Farms, South Brunswick and Washington, New Jersey
Von Thun Farms operates at two locations across New Jersey, which is either very convenient or a sign that they simply ran out of room for all their crops. The South Brunswick and Washington locations both offer pick-your-own experiences with strawberries, tomatoes, and pumpkins among the seasonal highlights.
It’s a well-run operation with a loyal following.
The farm markets at both locations carry fresh produce, plants, and seasonal items year-round. Their garden center is a hit with home gardeners looking for quality seedlings and planting advice from people who actually know what they’re doing.
Fall is especially lively, with pumpkin picking and hayrides drawing big weekend crowds.
Von Thun also grows an impressive variety of tomatoes, which might sound boring until you taste one still warm from the vine. That experience alone converts a lot of grocery store tomato buyers into farm regulars.
Check their website for updated crop availability and event schedules at each location before making the trip.
Battleview Orchards, Freehold, New Jersey
Battleview Orchards sits on land with genuine Revolutionary War history, so picking apples here technically counts as a history lesson. Located in Freehold, the farm grows over 50 varieties of apples along with peaches, pears, and nectarines throughout the season.
The orchard views are stunning in fall when the leaves start turning.
Their farm market is well-stocked with fresh-pressed cider, apple butter, and baked goods that rotate with the seasons. The staff is knowledgeable about which varieties are best for baking versus eating, which saves you from accidentally making a very sad pie.
Weekends in October get busy, but the atmosphere is festive and worth the wait for a good parking spot.
Battleview also offers a popular Wine Trail event in fall with nearby farms and wineries, making it a great adult outing too. Their peach season in July and August is underrated and far less crowded than the fall rush.
Definitely worth a summer visit.
Melick’s Town Farm, Califon and Oldwick, New Jersey
Melick’s Town Farm has been growing apples in Hunterdon County since the 1700s, making it one of the oldest family-run orchards in New Jersey. That kind of longevity doesn’t happen by accident.
The Califon and Oldwick locations both carry on that heritage with a focus on quality fruit and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere that feels like stepping back in time.
The farm grows a wide variety of apples, from classic Honeycrisps to more obscure heirloom types that you won’t find at any supermarket. Their cider is pressed on-site and is some of the best I’ve had in the state, which is a bold claim I’m fully prepared to defend.
The farm store also carries local products including jams, honey, and seasonal baked goods.
Melick’s is smaller and quieter than some of the bigger farm operations in the state, which is actually a selling point for families who prefer a more relaxed outing. Fall weekends fill up, so a weekday visit is ideal for the full peaceful orchard experience.
Wightman Farms, Morristown, New Jersey
Wightman Farms in Morristown has been a Morris County favorite for over 100 years, and the farm shows no signs of slowing down. The orchard grows a great selection of apples and peaches, with pick-your-own options available seasonally.
Fall is peak time here, and the farm pulls out all the stops with hayrides, a corn maze, and a busy farm market.
Their baked goods department deserves its own paragraph. The apple cider donuts are made fresh and sell out fast, which is both a warning and a motivational speech for arriving early.
The farm store also carries their own apple products, local jams, and seasonal decorations that make the place feel festive from August through November.
Wightman also runs popular summer camps and school programs that teach kids where food actually comes from, which is a more valuable lesson than many adults realize. The farm is family-owned and that personal touch shows in how the place is run and maintained year-round.
Happy Day Farm, Manalapan, New Jersey
Happy Day Farm in Manalapan lives up to its cheerful name in a way that feels entirely earned. The farm is especially well-known for its blueberry picking, which draws crowds every summer from across central New Jersey.
There’s something genuinely satisfying about filling a bucket with blueberries while the sun is still low and the air is still cool.
Beyond blueberries, the farm offers pick-your-own for peaches, tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables depending on the season. The variety keeps things interesting across multiple visits throughout the year.
The farm stand carries fresh produce and seasonal items at fair prices that make you wonder why you ever shopped anywhere else.
Happy Day Farm has a relaxed, friendly vibe that makes it a great option for first-time farm visitors who might feel overwhelmed by larger operations. The staff is approachable and happy to point you toward the best-picking rows.
Blueberry season typically runs from late June through August, so plan your visit accordingly.
Emery’s Farm, New Egypt, New Jersey
Emery’s Farm in New Egypt is the kind of place that makes you pull over and stare before you even reach the entrance. Their sunflower fields are genuinely stunning in late summer and draw photographers and families alike from across the region.
It’s one of the more photogenic farms in the state, and that’s saying something in a state full of beautiful farmland.
Beyond the sunflowers, Emery’s offers pick-your-own for pumpkins, gourds, and other fall crops. The farm stand carries fresh local produce, mums, and seasonal decorations that make it a one-stop shop for all things autumn.
Weekend crowds can be significant, especially when the sunflowers are at peak bloom.
The farm also grows Christmas trees, which means you can make Emery’s part of your holiday tradition from August straight through December. That’s impressive seasonal range for a single family-run operation.
Bring a camera for the sunflower fields and comfortable shoes for walking the grounds, because you’ll want to explore every corner.
Lee Turkey Farm, East Windsor, New Jersey
Lee Turkey Farm is proof that a farm doesn’t need to be all about the fruit to earn a top spot on any New Jersey farm list. Located in East Windsor, this farm is best known for its fresh turkeys, but the operation has grown into a full farm market experience that draws visitors year-round.
The market is stocked with seasonal vegetables, baked goods, and specialty items that rotate constantly.
The farm also offers pick-your-own pumpkins in the fall, plus a solid selection of gourds, corn stalks, and mums for fall decorating. Their Thanksgiving pre-orders for fresh turkeys are legendary among locals, so if you want one, get on the list early.
Like, embarrassingly early.
Lee Turkey Farm hosts seasonal events and farm activities that make it especially fun for families with young children. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the market has a warm, community feel that keeps regulars coming back.
It’s a great reminder that farm visits are about more than just picking fruit.
Ort Farms, Long Valley, New Jersey
Ort Farms sits in the scenic hills of Long Valley and delivers one of the most picturesque pick-your-own experiences in all of New Jersey. The orchard grows a wide variety of apples and offers pick-your-own throughout the fall season.
The hillside setting gives the whole place a storybook quality that you genuinely can’t manufacture.
The farm market is a serious operation, carrying fresh produce, local meats, cheeses, and an impressive selection of baked goods. Their apple cider is pressed fresh and is consistently ranked among the best in the state by people who take cider very seriously.
Weekend visits in October are busy but buzzing with energy and fall festivities.
Ort Farms also runs a winery on the property, producing wines from locally grown grapes. The combination of orchard, market, and winery makes it a full afternoon destination rather than a quick stop.
Families and couples alike find something to enjoy here, which is a rare and genuinely impressive feat for a single farm property.
