Home to over 4,000 acres of farmland, New Jersey is known for its fresh produce and agricultural history. When it comes to apples, New Jersey grows over thirty varieties across its coastal plains and rolling hills. It’s no surprise that this corner of the Northeast is known as the Garden State; autumn is an especially popular season to enjoy all the state’s farms have to offer.
As summer winds down, you may already be thinking about the classic fall activities you look forward to year after year. Whether you like to ring in the season with Halloween fun, cozy outfits, or pumpkin spice on everything, consider adding an apple-picking adventure to the mix. Hunting for the perfect apples makes a memorable outing with family, friends, and especially the little ones.
Most local farms that offer apples also have plenty of other fruits and fall activities to choose from, meaning you can make an entire day trip out of it and come back for seconds. Plus, when you get home, you’ll have plenty of fresh apples for making pie, apple crumble, fall salads, or just healthy snacking.
Whether you live in New Jersey or are just visiting this autumn, consider stopping by one of the farms listed below. These are also great options for New York or Pennsylvania residents looking to take a weekend day trip.
North New Jersey
1. Demarest Farms
Address: 244 Werimus Rd, Hillsdale, NJ 07642
Located in Hillside, New Jersey, Demarest Farms offers apple picking from September to October. The farm is open for apple picking on specific dates, so be sure to check the website in advance to plan your visit. It’s important to note that the farm only accepts reservations, you’ll have to reserve your time slot online.
An $8 admission fee will cover your entrance, parking, and access to the farm’s petting zoo and playground. These are both great ways to keep the little ones busy- children under 2 years old enter at no cost. The farm also offers hayrides on the weekends and additional peach and pumpkin picking dates.
Don’t miss the neighboring farm store for fresh baked goods, produce, and flowers to take home. If you love your apple-picking experience at Demarest, keep an eye on the calendar for the farm’s special Halloween and Christmas events!
2. Alstede Farms
Address: 1 Alstede Farms Ln, Chester, NJ 07930
Located just outside of Chester, New Jersey, Alstede Farms offers a range of pick-your-own fruits, including strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and of course, tons of apples. The farm’s convenient annual harvest schedule gives you the approximate ripening date of nearly 50 apple varieties, including classics like Cortland, Fuji, and Pink Lady. The dates provided make it easier to plan your trip if you’re looking for something specific but still be sure to call in advance to confirm.
Admission can be purchased in advance online. If you buy your ticket on the spot, expect an extra $8 fee per ticket. If you live nearby, you can check the farm’s “What Can I Pick Today” page for updated tips on what produce is available that day.
Your admission fee includes hayrides, seasonal maze and trail access, and access to the farm’s hay pyramid, which the kids are bound to love. Other farm activities include pony rides, live music performances, and cider tastings. Hot food, coffee, homemade ice cream, baked goods, and more are available for purchase on-site.
Be sure to check out the farm’s additional events, which include festivals and more.
3. Wightman Farms
Address: 1111 Mt Kemble Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960
Perched right off Route 202 in Morristown, Wightman Farms has been serving the area for over a century. The farm offers peach, nectarine, and apple picking. Dates are announced on the farm website, but it’s always best to call ahead. The farm offers a picnic area in case you want to enjoy a meal outside during your visit.
Tickets can be purchased on-site, and you won’t want to miss Wightman Farm’s Fall Festival, which can usually be combined with a day of apple picking. The festival includes multiple mazes, hayrides, a pumpkin slingshot, and more. This makes it easy to plan a fun-filled day for the whole family. The farm re-opens for its fall festival in September.
4. Riamede Farm
Address: 122 Oakdale Rd, Chester, NJ 07930
Also in Chester, New Jersey, Riamede Farm is located just up the road from Alstede Farms. As the state’s oldest orchard offering pick-your-own fruit, Riamede is a tried-and-true choice for an autumn visit. Most of the orchard’s trees date back to the last century, and all fruit is grown in homage to the farm’s heritage. The orchard is home to over fifty varieties of apples, and guests are encouraged to call ahead for apple ripening estimates.
Riamede’s live map is a unique online resource that allows website visitors to zoom into each tree to find out what kind of apples it grows, and what their ripening status is.
The farm also offers cooking and jack o’ lantern-ready pumpkins, along with a farm stand selling fresh produce, baked goods, and more.
5. Windy Brow Farms
Address: 359 Ridge Rd, Fredon Township, NJ 07860
Located in Northern New Jersey’s Fredon Township, Windy Brow Farms is a local staple that grows nearly 50 kinds of apples, as well as peaches, cherries, plums, and more.
Apple picking is seasonal, so it’s best to check the website regularly for opening announcements or give the farm a call to find out when it will be open. Other than fresh fruit, the farm offers vegan ice cream, house-baked bread, and pastries, some of which are even available by custom order.
6. Hillview Farms
Address: 223 Meyersville Rd, Gillette, NJ 07933
Located in Northern New Jersey, Hillview is a historic farm that makes an easy day trip from the five boroughs. The farm offers blueberry, peach, zinnia, apple, and pumpkin picking dates.
All produce is seasonal, and apples are generally available in September and October. Make sure to keep an eye on the farm website and call ahead before visiting to confirm picking schedules. Hillview is also home to a farm market that is open daily.
7. Donaldson Farms
Address: 358 Allen Rd, Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Hackettstown’s Donaldson Farms is another option that is conveniently close to New York City yet feels like a rural respite. The farm invites guests to pick their own raspberries, blueberries, pumpkins, and multiple varieties of apples. Apple picking hours are posted once the fall season starts, and fruit is priced by the pound. While at the farm, be sure to stop by the market and pick up fresh goods to enjoy at home.
From September to October, families can take part in fall harvest weekends, which include a corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides, corn cannon, hot food, and even the chance to visit the farm’s ponies.
Central New Jersey
8. Terhune Orchards
Address: 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540
Located just outside of Princeton, Terhune Orchards has a robust Pick Your Own Schedule. Apples are available from September to October, depending on the variety. Featuring an on-site farm store and winery, the orchard is a great destination for friends, couples, and wine enthusiasts.
Kids will love the opportunity to pick apples and participate in Family Fun Fall Weekends. Plus, when winter rolls along, you’ll be able to revisit the orchard and “wassail” the very trees you picked apples from, keeping them in good health for next year.
9. Battleview Orchards
Address: 91 Wemrock Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728
Central New Jersey’s Battleview Orchards is conveniently close to Trenton, the Jersey Shore, and even New York. All “Pick Your Own” dates are up on the orchard website, along with recipe recommendations.
Hayrides are available starting in late September. Be sure to stop by the orchard’s country store on your way out and pick up some fall goodies to take home.
10. Eastmont Orchards
Address: 321 County Rd 537, Colts Neck, NJ 07722
Eastmont Orchards is another centrally located apple-picking mainstay. The orchard’s first trees were planted over a century ago. For updated crop information, be sure to check out the orchard’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
This helpful guide can clue you in on when your favorite apple varieties are in season. To plan your visit accurately, be sure to call ahead. Admission is free and weekend hayrides are available seasonally.
11. Johnson’s Corner Farm
Address: 133 Church Rd, Medford, NJ 08055
A short day drive from Philadelphia, Johnson’s Corner Farm offers weekend harvest festivals, along with pumpkins, gourds, and apples. Expect apple picking to run through early October. Festivities include live music, gem mining, duck races, corn mazes, sunflowers, an animal farm- and ice cream.
Fruit picking comes with a hayride to your picking destination, and tickets can be purchased online. Weekends get quite crowded, so if you can, plan to visit on a weekday, when farm prices are 25% lower. Keep an eye on the farm calendar to stay up to date on events.
12. Von Thun Farms
Address: 519 Ridge Rd, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852
Located a brief drive outside of New York, Von Thun Farms is over a century old. The farm has two locations, and both offer apple picking along with other varieties of fruit. Von Thun hosts fun for the whole family, including a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and campfires. The farm’s fall festival even includes a Moonlight Maze option where guests can enjoy the farm at night.
Apples are ready between September and October, and the farm offers eight varieties. It’s best to call ahead for current crop conditions. Tickets can be purchased online.
South New Jersey
13. Mood’s Farm Market
Address: 901 Bridgeton Pike, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
Located south of Philadelphia, Mood’s Farm Market has apple picking from mid-August to November. Apple-picking hayrides include a lift to the orchard, a 3-pound bag to fill up, a fresh apple cider, and an apple cider donut to top it all off.
The farm’s annual Apple Festival hosts plenty of family-friendly fun, live music, and sweet snacks. The farm’s on-site market stocks produce, gifts, and more, including hand-painted gourds to remind you of your visit. As usual, be sure to call ahead to confirm picking dates.
Jersey Shore
14. Stiles Farm and Nursery
Address: 172 S Delsea Dr, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Just minutes from the shore, Stiles Farm and Nursery offers plenty of You-Pick options, including berries, peaches, pears, beach plums, and apples. Check the farm’s Facebook page for updates. Stiles is a great option if you’re staying in Cape May, Wildwood, or Atlantic City.
