Picking apples can be a great way to spend quality family time, or a reason that everyone gets a Groupon for therapy at Christmas. Either way, it is a fall tradition that shouldn’t be missed.
Luckily for us, there are orchards near and far, so the choice really is yours. Whether you prefer a quick trip to the orchard, or a nice day trip to the country, here are some orchards to visit.
Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale
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Located minutes away in Hillsdale, it’s so close to home that you don’t have to sit through refrains of, “Are we there yet? Are we there yet?” The kids love riding on the tractor-pulled hayride to the orchards, and there’s a corn maze by the market so that the kids can play while you relax or buy some farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, or freshly baked pies, donuts, cookies, and cakes.
Deamarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale; 201-666-0472
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With over a dozen varieties of apples to choose from, Longmeadow Farm is a great place to spend a beautiful fall day and enjoy the changing season. They also offer freshly grown produce for purchase.
Longmeadow Farm, 511 Blairstown Rd., 521, Hope; 908-459-5351
Located a short drive away in the beautiful town of Chester, take a hayride, visit and pet the friendly farm animals, and don't forget to stop by the farm market for a refreshing ice cream cone or a drink. And while you're there, take home one of their delicious home baked pies or quiches.
Alstede Farms, 84 Rt. 513, Chester; 908-879-7189
You can either walk to the orchards or enjoy a wagon ride on your way to choose from among 17 varieties of apples. Early in the season the apples hang low enough on the branches for a one year old to pick them. There’s a farm market where you can buy fresh produce, home baked pies, donuts, breads, muffins and homemade jams and jellies..
Pochuck Valley Farms, 962 Rt. 517 (McAffee Glenwood Rd.) Glenwood; 973-764-4732
Climb the hill to the orchard, but watch out for the chickens and the peacocks. Or, enjoy a scenic hayride into the orchard. Hillview Farms has a farm market where you can purchase fresh cider, homemade baked goods, and other farm fresh delicacies.
Hillview Farms, 223 Meyersville Rd., Gillette; 908-647-0957
Family owned and operated since 1868, Lee Turkey Farm offers more than fresh turkeys. There are hundreds of apple and fruit trees, and acres of fresh vegetables. Lee Turkey Farm also raises 5000 turkeys annually so it’s a great place for the kids to see live turkeys. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Lee Turkey Farm, 201 Hickory Corner Rd., East Windsor; 609-448-0629
34 varieties of apples—from traditional classic, to heirloom, to more modern varieties. You can take a scenic hayride or get your exercise and walk to the orchards. Riamede Farm has a farm market where you can purchase all types of fresh fruits and vegetables, cider, jams, and jellies. Bring a camera and roam around 50 acres of nature at its best.
Riamede Farm, 122 Oakdale Rd., Chester; 908-879-5353
A family tradition since 1922, take the hayride to the orchard and choose from over a dozen varieties of apples. Wightman’s Farm also sells fresh farm dairy products such as milk, butter, and eggs, as well as fruits, vegetables and plants. There are corn mazes and rope mazes for the kids to get their energy out while you meditate to prepare for the long and whiney ride home.
Wightman’s Farm, Rt. 202, 1111 Mt. Kemble Ave., Morristown; 973-425-9819
*Author's note: although there are more pick-your-own apple orchards in New Jersey, these are the ones that the author has visited.
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