Apple picking makes for a quintessential family weekend getaway or day trip that brings fruitful rewards far after you've left the orchard. Here, we've put together a guide to pick-your-own apple farms in New Jersey, which are all just a short trip from NYC.
Take advantage of the crisp fall weather and venture out to the orchards for equally crisp and delicious apples, plucked straight from the tree. Many of the local orchards listed here offer low-hanging branches ideal for your little ones to pick and fill their own bushel of autumn’s freshest fruit. While you’re there, join in fun farm activities like hayrides, farmers markets, and petting zoos.
Please note: Dates and availability are subject to change. We recommend calling ahead before visiting these farms.
Alstede Farms
84 County Route 513 (Old Route 24), Chester
GPS location: 1 Chesterfield Drive, Chester
908-879-7189
Apple picking through September and October, 9am-7pm daily. Two corn mazes, hay pyramid, hayrides, free-range animals on site, and pony rides. Farmers’ market with homemade ice cream and homegrown fruits and vegetables. Also offers seasonal U-pick vegetables, pumpkins, peaches, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and flowers (call for availability).
Demarest Farms
244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale
201-666-0472
Pick-your-own apples Labor Day through October, weekends 10am-4:30pm; Monday-Friday 2pm-4:30pm (10am-2pm by reservation). Farm store with bakery, apple cider, salad bar, and fresh produce. Weekend hayrides available and during the week by reservation.
Hillview Farms
223 Meyersville Road, Gillette
908-647-0957
Pick-your-own apples in September and October, 9am-5pm daily. Store open until 6pm. Also offer hayrides, pick-your-own pumpkins, farmers market with homemade pies, fruits and vegetables, honey, doughnuts, and apple cider.
Longmeadow Farm
561 Blairstown Road (Route 521), Hope
908-459-5351
Apple picking (15 varieties) Labor Day through Oct. 31, weekends and Columbus Day 9am-5pm. Also offers U-pick raspberries and blackberries through the fall. Pumpkin picking begins in October. Hayrides available. Store on site with sweet corn, fruit butters, jams, jellies, and honey.
Mackey's Orchard
284 County Road 519, Belvidere
908-475-1507
Apple picking (approximately 50 varieties) through September and October, weekends 10am-4:30pm. Farmers’ market, bakery, ice cream barn, playground, and mini golf on site.
Pochuck Valley Farm
962 Route 517 (McAfee-Glenwood Road), Glenwood
973-764-4732
Apple picking in September and October, 9am-4pm daily. Farmers market with deli, homemade doughnuts, pies, jams, cider, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Race Farm, LLC
87 Belcher Road, Blairstown
908-362-8151
Apple and pumpkin picking late September-October, 9am-5pm daily. Store on premise with pre-picked produce and bakery. Free hayrides on weekends starting approximately at 11am.
Riamede Farm
122 Oakdale Road, Chester
908-879-5353
Apple picking (34 varieties) Aug. 31 through October, 9am-4:30pm daily. Hayrides available. U-pick pumpkins and tomatoes in September and U-pick Indian corn in October.
Stony Hill Gardens
8 Route 24 (Route 513), Chester
908-879-2696
Pick-your-own apples in September and October, 10am-5pm daily. Apples sold by the pound. Pick-your-own pumpkins starts in late September. Store and greenhouse on premises (open daily 9am-6pm). Hayrides on weekends.
Sun High Orchards
19 Canfield Avenue, Randolph
973-584-4734
Apple picking Sept. 15 through October, 9am-6pm daily. Call for available varieties. Farmers’ market with fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade pies, and baked goods, and homemade ice cream. Weekend hayrides available.
Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton
609-924-2310
Pick-your-own apples through November, 9am-5pm daily; also have pick-your-own fall raspberries and pick-your-own pumpkins and gourds September-October. Apple Day is Sept. 15-16. Fall harvest festivals with wagon rides and pony rides every weekend, 10am-5pm, from Sept. 22-Oct. 27 (see website for details). Farmers’ market with pre-picked fruits and vegetables, apple cider, doughnuts, and more. Barnyard of farm animals on site and a 1-mile nature trail (open to visitors daily). Winery and tasting room on-site.
Wightman's Farms
1111 Mt. Kemble Avenue (Route 202), Morristown
973-425-9819
Pick-your-own apples (25 varieties) August through end of harvest, weekends 9am-5pm. On-premises store and bakery with homemade cider and pies, corn maze, and pumpkin slingshot. Weekend hayrides available. Family membership required for U-pick apples. Pick your own pumpkins with ticket. Group reservations available for hayrides and pick-your-own pumpkins Monday-Friday.
Windy Brow Farms
359 Ridge Road (Route 519), Fredon Township
973-579-9657
Pick-your-own apples (35 varieties) early September through mid-October, 10am-4pm daily. Wagon rides to orchard available on weekends, 10am-4pm. Store on premises with apple pies and apple cider doughnuts, jams, jellies, and seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Beyond NJ
Planning a day or weekend trip to Long Island, Connecticut, or Southeast New York? Check out our complete guide to apple picking near NYC
