As we bid farewell to sunny summer days, it’s time to celebrate all that is wonderful about fall–cozy sweaters, crisp evenings and best of all, apple picking. New Jersey is home to dozens of family-owned and operated farms that pride themselves on growing juicy apples each September and October.

Whether you feel like spending a quiet day roaming around a quaint apple orchard or want to bring the whole gang to a lively fall festival, you’re sure to find the perfect autumn outing at one of these New Jersey farms.

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Alstede Farms

Address: 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester

Price: Mon-Friday – $8.99; Weekends & holidays – $14.99 (plus the cost of apples)

Details: This much-loved farm boasts fields full of juicy apples ripe for picking. Their Fall Family Fun Days are packed with activities such as pony rides, wagon train rides, a corn maze and plenty of friendly barnyard animals. Stop by the farm store for delicious homemade treats.

More info: Visit the website or you can give them a call.

Battleview Orchards

Address: 91 Wemrock Road, Freehold

Price: Free admission (apples are priced by the pound)

Details: Battleview Orchards grows apple varieties such as Cortland, Granny Smith and Fuji and opens their picking fields to the public in late August. Their well-known country store is bursting with autumn flavors and features pressed apple cider, fresh-made cider donuts and Dutch Apple Pie.

More info: Visit the website or you can give them a call.

Demarest Farms

Address: 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale

Price: $5 per person general admission (plus the cost of apples)

Details: Demarest grows 14 types of apples in their pick-your-own orchard. Admission to their fall weekends includes a hayride, a playground and a petting zoo where kids can visit the resident animals. Their farm store is brimming with seasonal produce, a huge salad bar, homemade prepared food and apple cider donuts.

More info: Visit the website or you can give them a call.

Eastmont Orchards

Address: 181 Country Road 537 East, Colts Neck

Price: Free admission (apples are priced by the pound)

Details: If you’re looking for great apple picking without the fall festival hoopla, head to Eastmont Orchards in Colts Neck. Spend a laid back afternoon picking delicious apple varieties grown throughout the season including Cameo, Empire, Honeycrisp and Braeburn.

More info: Visit the website or you can give them a call.

Johnson’s Corner Farm

Address: 133 Church Road, Medford

Price: Free admission (fees apply for fall farm activities and apple picking)

Details: Spend a day filled with country fun at Johnson’s including gem mining, a corn maze, live music and farm animals. Pick your own apples and stop off at their ice cream window for a taste of fall, including pumpkin ice cream and cider slushies. Yum!

More info: Visit the website or you can give them a call.

Mackey’s Orchard

Address: 284B County Route 519, Belvidere

Price: $2 per person to pick apples, free for children under 3 (plus the cost of apples)

Details: Mackey’s grows over 100 varieties of apples that are ripe for picking during September and October. After a hay ride to the apple picking hill, pop into their farm store for homemade ice cream, fresh produce, delicious soup and local honey.

More info: Visit the website or you can give them a call.

Sun High Orchards

Address: 19 Canfield Avenue, Randolph

Price: Free admission (apples are priced by the pound)

Details: Bring the whole gang to Sun High Orchards in Morris County for some laid-back apple picking (and hayrides) starting in mid September. Visit their farm store and choose from delicious treats such as homemade ice cream, apple cider donuts or fresh fruit pies. Picnic tables are available outside for lunch.

More info: Visit the website or you can give them a call.

Terhune Orchards

Address: 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton

Price: $8 per person, free for children under 3 (plus the cost of apples)

Details: Enjoy a fabulous fall day at beautiful Terhune Orchards. This family-run winery and farm is located just outside Princeton. Stop by during their Apple Day & Family Fall Fun Weekends for lots of apple picking, live music, pumpkin painting and the Hale Bay Maze.

More info: Visit the website or you can give them a call.

Hero (Top) Feature Image courtesy: famveldman/Adobe Stock

Additional Body Images (in order) Courtesy:

Facebook / Battleview Orchards

Eastmont Orchards

Johnson’s Corner Farm, Inc.

Terhune Orchards