UPDATE: I've sorted through NJ fall fun for 2017, so click here!

 

I am a self-professed fall lover. New Jersey offers so much seasonal fun, and I'm proud to say I've been able to make apple-picking a near-yearly tradition. Before the kids, it was a cute couples' outing — and it's become even better as a family activity, over the years.

NJ apple orchards Melick's
Best NJ spots for apple picking this fall (Erin Vogt, Townsquare Media)
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A few things to remember when planning an 'apple outing' — Call ahead, as activity times may vary. Sites are open, weather permitting. It's also good to have cash on-hand, instead of hoping they take cards. Pick-your-own apples in NJ generally are available from the end of August through Columbus Day.

Here's an ultimate round-up of Jersey's best apple picking destinations. We've got two dozen to choose from across the Garden State!

NJ apple orchards
Best NJ spots for apple picking this fall (Erin Vogt, Townsquare Media)
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Alstede Farms (Morris County)
1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester
Call ahead: 908-879-7189

Alstede Farms really is a year-round destination for seasonal fun. Aside from pick-your-own, there's a store, petting zoo area, corn maze and cider mill tours.


Battleview Orchards (Monmouth County)
91 Wemrock Rd, Freehold
Call ahead: 732-462-0756

NJ apple orchards Battleview Orchards
Best NJ spots for apple picking this fall (Erin Vogt, Townsquare Media)
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Battleview Orchards in Freehold is another Jersey favorite for fall festivities. Pick-your-own apples have begun. The country store is open year-round for produce, home baked goodies and (seasonally) fresh apple cider. It's just down the road from the actual orchard.


Terhune Orchards (Mercer County)
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton
Call ahead: 609-924-2310

Terhune Orchards in Princeton keeps adding seasonal goodness to its offerings.
Aside from the farm store, vineyard, winery and pick-your-own, weekend fun includes live music, pony and tractor rides, face painting and a corn maze. Terhune's orchard is on Van Kirk Road, just around the block from its farm store and tasting room.


Johnson’s Corner Farm (Burlington County)
133 Church Road, Medford
Call ahead: 609-654-8643

Johnson’s Farm is one of the largest pick-your-own farms in South Jersey. The fall season means hayrides into their fields for up to 10 varieties of apples. There's also weekend fun including a corn maze, moon bounce, live music, animal farm and Discovery Barnyard.


Melick's Town Farm (Hunterdon County)
472 County Road 513, Califon
Call ahead: (908)832-2905
19 King Street, Oldwick
Call ahead: 908-439-388

NJ apple orchards Melick's
Best NJ spots for apple picking this fall (Erin Vogt, Townsquare Media)
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Fall is big business for Melick's, which has two pick-your-own orchards, one with a cider mill in Oldwick and the other in Califon. There's also a farm market in Oldwick a couple minutes off Route 78.


More North Jersey apple picking:

Phillips Farms (Hunterdon County)
290 Church Road, Milford
Call ahead: 908-995-0022

Bonacorsi Family Farms(Hunterdon County)
1137 Croton Road, Flemington

Demarest Farms (Bergen County)
244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale
Call ahead: (201) 666-0472

Riamede Farm (Morris County)
122 Oakdale Road, Chester
Call ahead: 908-879-5353

Sun High Orchards (Morris County)
19 Canfield Avenue, Randolph
Call ahead: 973-584-4734

Wightmans Farm (Morris County)
1111 Mt. Kemble Avenue, Morristown
Call ahead: 973-425-9819

Stony Hill Farm Market (Morris County)
8 State Route 24 (Rt 513), Chester
Call ahead: 908-879-2908
Stony Hill also has a nearby Corn Maze & Fun Park with a 2016 theme of "Rutgers 250."

Hacklebarney Farms Cider Mill (Morris County) 2016: no apple picking, due to frost

Tree-Licious Orchards (Warren County)
135 Karrville Rd, Port Murray
Call ahead: 908-689-2906

Longmeadow Farm (Warren County)
561 Blairstown Rd (County Rd. 521), Hope
Call ahead: 908-459-5351

Mackey's Orchard (Warren County)
284B County Route 519, Belvidere
Call ahead: 908-475-1507
Pick-your-own is on weekends

Donaldson Farms (Warren County)
358 Allen Road, Hackettstown
Call ahead: 908-852-9122
Donaldson Farms also features a corn maze with a patriotic 2016 theme

Ripple Hill Farm (Somerset County)
181 Mountain Road, Basking Ridge
Call ahead:908-647-1300
Open Sundays in 2016 for pick-your-own apples, subject to change.


More central Jersey apple picking:

VonThun Farms (Middlesex County)
519 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction
Call ahead: 973-329-8656
The farm also has weekend fun with a corn maze and hayrides.

Giamarese Farm and Orchards (Middlesex County)
1555 Fresh Ponds Road, East Brunswick
Call ahead: 732-821-9494
On weekends there are hayrides, pony rides, a corn maze and face painting.

Stults Farm(Middlesex County)
146 Cranbury Neck Road, Plainsboro
Call ahead: 609-799-2523

Eastmont Orchards(Monmouth County)
321 County Road 537, Colts Neck
Call ahead: 732-542-5404

Lee Turkey Farm(Mercer County)
201 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor
Call ahead: 609-448-0629


More South Jersey apple picking:

Mood’s Farm Market(Gloucester County)
901 Bridgeton Pike, Mullica Hill
Call ahead: 856-478-2500

Russo’s Orchard Lane Farm (Burlington County)
310 Extonville Rd., Chesterfield
Call ahead: 609-259-3684

Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm (Burlington County)
2691 Monmouth Road, Jobstown
Call ahead: 609-353-9000
There's also a corn maze, animal farm, pony rides and free play area.

If you think I missed a spot, just tweet me @ProudJersey and at @NJ1015! Happy picking!

Best NJ apple picking Melick's
Best NJ spots for apple picking this fall (Erin Vogt, Townsquare Media)
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Proud Jersey Girl Erin Vogt’s first reporting gig involved her Fisher Price tape recorder. As a wife and momma of two kiddies, she firmly believes that life’s too short to drink bad coffee. A fan of the beach, Dave Grohl and karma, in no particular order.

Follow her on Twitter and on Facebook as ProudJersey.

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