The best part about fall is all the activities that come with it — apple picking, hayrides, leaves changing, and everything pumpkin. New Jersey is full of local farms where you can enjoy a day out with friends and loved ones, but if you don’t know where to start looking, we’ve got you covered! Here are some of the best farms to pick your pumpkins this season.

Demarest Farms — Hillsdale

Demarest Farms is my go-to for apple picking every fall, but you can also pick pumpkins here too! You’ll get a hay ride all to the pumpkin patch where you can select the pumpkin of your choice, and enjoy the petting zoo they also have on site.

Happy Day Farm — Manalapan

I recently visited Happy Day Farm to take some pictures and pick sunflowers, but they already had their pumpkins growing and were getting all set up for pumpkin season with this picture-perfect pumpkin hut.

At Conklin Farms, you have your pick of thousands of pumpkins, and photo opportunities in their field of sunflowers. There’s also a farm store full of festive fall decor and painted pumpkins available. Haunted hay rides will be available beginning September 30th for those who are brave enough for the adventure.

Heaven Hills Farm — Vernon

When it’s pumpkin season at Heaven Hills Farm, it’s buzzing with activity — carnival rides, pig races, pony rides, and more. Heaven Hills Farm also boasts the largest corn maze in all of New Jersey, so be sure to arrive early on the weekends so you have time to enjoy all their activities.

Terhune Orchards — Princeton

You can get all your favorite fall activities in one location at Terhune Orchards. Select your favorite pumpkin and paint it at their painting session, and explore the rest of the farm while you wait for it to dry! You’ll find an animal barn, duck races, a winery for the adults and more — everything you’ll need for the perfect fall day.

Sussex County Strawberry Farms — Newton

Don’t let the name fool you — the Sussex County Strawberry Farm does indeed have pumpkins, and you can pick from a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Their website also provides you with tips and tricks on what kind of pumpkin you should be looking for. Mark your calendars because their pumpkin picking season begins the first week of October.

Alstede Farms — Chester

At Alstede Farms in Chester, NJ pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes. On Saturdays, you can stop in and visit their pumpkin patch and enjoy some fall treats. Stick around until the sun goes down to enjoy apple cider around a campfire and their family-friendly Harvest Moon Hayride.

Wightman Farms — Morristown

While it is prime apple picking season at this Morristown farm, they offer several packages where you can get all your favorite fall activities in one — hayrides, mazes, and their pumpkin slingshot! It’s a great way to spend the day with friends and family, and you can even get an apple cider doughnut or two.

Some Central/South Jersey Pumpkin Picking Spots:

Did we miss your favorite farm? Let us know in the comments!