Alstede Farms
1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester | Skylands Region
Sweet corn, peppers, eggplant and tomatoes are ripe and ready for the picking through October. Get to the fields by mid-November to gather your own apples, pumpkins and potatoes. You can even cut down your own Christmas tree in early December. Also keep an eye on the farm’s website for pancake breakfasts, pie tastings and other events and activities.
Battleview Orchards
91 Wemrock Road, Freehold | Shore Region
For a juicy slice of history to go along with your apple harvesting, head to New Jersey’s oldest pick-your-own orchard! Fall varieties include Golden Delicious, Empire, Crispin/Mutsu, Fuji, Stayman Winesap, Rome Beauty, Cameo, Granny Smith and Braeburn. You can also hunt down the perfect pumpkin for decorating and hop aboard a hayride (weekends only).
Dalton Farms
660 Oak Grove Road, Swedesboro | Delaware River Region
Visitors can fest it up two ways on the farm this fall – at its Tri-State Sunflower Festival and Pumpkin Fest. Both events showcase u-pick fun plus family-friendly activities, including tractor rides, live music and more festivities.
Donaldson Farms
358 Allen Road, Hackettstown | Skylands Region
As summer turns to fall, apple picking is still in full swing on the farm. Even as visitors are filling their bushels with those seasonal varieties, others are heading to the fields for pumpkins. In the farm market, you can stock up on freshly harvested brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, lettuce, peppers, potatoes and soybeans. Don’t miss out on their farm-baked pies, either!
Double Trouble State Park
581 Pinewald Keswick Road, Bayville | Shore Region
Way back in 1863, Civil War Captain Ralph Gowdy planted the first cranberry bog on these grounds. This cultivation eventually grew into the Double Trouble Company, one of the state’s largest growers of hand-harvested cranberries. You can witness the historic village as it once was through 14 preserved structures that include the Cranberry Sorting and Packing House, Pickers’ Cottages and Harvest Foreman’s House.
Duke Farms
1112 Dukes Parkway W., Hillsborough | Central Jersey Region
Orchids probably aren’t the first plant that comes to mind when you think “fall,” but you can peruse an impressive collection of tropical and sub-tropical varieties inside this property’s renowned Orchid Range. We also recommend ogling outdoor sculptures at the Hay Barn. Given the sheer size and scope of this popular attraction (hint: it covers 2,700 acres and boasts 523 plant species), you’ll probably want to download their app before arrival to make the most of your visit!
Frelinghuysen Arboretum
353 E. Hanover Avenue, Morristown | Skylands Region
Every October, the Morris County Park Commission sponsors its Scarecrows in the Garden exhibit. See how many you can spot around the grounds! Timing is everything – the arboretum’s plants and trees experiencing a fall glow-up include the Japanese Maple collection, a Green Giant Arborvitae, asters, strawflowers, sassafras and more.
Happy Day Farm
106 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan | Shore Region
The family’s smiles will stretch for miles at this farm’s Fall Festival. There’s a nearly endless list of activities included with your admission, including the bee barn, horse bouncers, bubble cart, corn box, sand cranes, corn tunnel, pig races, pedal carts, pumpkin guess who, inflatable corn maze, pumpkin bowling and more.
Holland Ridge Farms
108 Rues Road, Cream Ridge | Shore Region
Early fall is pure gold with this farm’s U-Pick Sunflower Festival (September – October). Pluck and pay by the stem. Make friends with barnyard animals of every size and species. Feast on food truck fare. Hop aboard a hayride or climb into a charming carriage. And take photos that will make all of your social media followers green with envy!
Johnson’s Corner Farm
133 Church Road, Medford | Delaware River Region
Start a new family tradition on the farm this autumn. Its annual Harvest Festival Weekends showcase hayrides to pick apples, pumpkins and gourds, plus live music, barnyard animal interactions, gem mining, duck races, live music and more. Throughout the season, you can also pick-your-own broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes and popping corn!
Melick’s Town Farm
19 King Street, Oldwick | Central Jersey Region
Gather apples (through mid-November) and find that ideal carving pumpkin (in October) at the farm. Of course the star of the season is their cider! Check out the working cider press to see how fresh-picked apples become the premium, unfiltered cider this farm is known for. Other must-tries include their (adults only!) hard cider and apple cider doughnuts for the whole family!
New Jersey Botanical Garden at Ringwood State Park
5 Morris Road, Ringwood | Gateway Region
Walk the trails to witness this garden’s oaks, maples and other tree varieties putting on their fall color show. Birders should also bring their binoculars to spot migrating species flying overhead. Visit the garden’s official website to discover fall festivities, garden tours and other seasonal events hosted on the grounds.
Ort Farms
25 Bartley Road, Long Valley | Skylands Region
Fall brings the family fun to this charming farm. Take your pick of in-season apples and pumpkins. Let the kids play in Jake’s Haywagon or climb the hay pyramid. Hitch a monster truck or hay ride. You can even blast apples from a cannon for an explosion of excitement.
Rutgers Gardens
30 Log Cabin Road, New Brunswick | Central Jersey Region
Fall is the time to go into the woods – and Helyar Woods offers some stellar leaf peeping with its old-growth beech, oak and maple trees. Follow any of the five marked trails and reconnect with nature on a brisk autumn afternoon! Before heading home, pop into Cook’s Market to purchase farm-grown produce and home-baked goodies.
Terhune Orchards Vineyard & Winery
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton | Central Jersey Region
Head to Terhune during this hardy harvest season. You can pick an abundance of apple varieties throughout September and October. If you visit during Family Fun Fall Weekends, you’ll be treated to the most amazing activities as well, including animal friends, live music, pumpkin picking, an Adventure Barn and more. Then adults can cap off the day with a wine-tasting flight!
Whitesbog Village
120 W. Whites Bogs Road #34, Browns Mills | Delaware River Region
Listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Sites, this village and its surrounding 3,000 acres of cranberry bogs, blueberry fields and more varied landscapes is a must-see. Top tip: Stop in the Visitor’s Center (weekdays) or General Store (weekends) to pick up a village map for a self-guided tour of highlights that include the New Jersey Agriculture Experimental Cranberry Sub-station, Whitesbog Agricultural Museum and more.
Willowwood Arboretum
300 Longview Road, Chester | Skylands Region
Talk about a tree-mendous fall journey! Embark on this arboretum’s Autumn Ornamentals Walk to spy Weeping European White Birch, Dwarf Colorado Spruce, Three-Flower Maple, Chinese Witch-Hazel, Paperbark Maple, Upright European Birch, Spanish Fir, Linden Viburnum, Winterberry Holly, Cranberry Bush and more stunning tree species.
If you’re all about apples, check out this handy guide for even more u-pick possibilities. You’ll also be truly amazed at our complete collection of agritourism offerings – gardens and arboretums, farms and orchards and wineries and vineyards. For free Garden State trip planning inspiration, be sure to download our travel guide and subscribe to our e-newsletter.
