Where To Go Pumpkin Picking In New Jersey This Fall

• When: Mid-September, dates TBD

A visit to Wightman Farms can easily be a full day affair—namely because this beautiful and sprawling farm in Morristown, NJ boasts myriad ways to keep even the littlest kids entertained. Plan a trip to this pretty pumpkin picking spot and you’ll be treated to hay rides, corn mazes and games (like pumpkin slingshot), as well as picturesque picnic and play areas where the whole family can kick back.

• When: October 1 to October 31

Come October, you can celebrate the fall harvest season six days a week at Giamerese Farm & Orchards—a family-owned spot that offers visitors the opportunity to pick their own pumpkins and apples, too. If you schedule your visit for the weekend, you will also be able to enjoy a wide range of seasonal attractions—like hay rides, corn mazes and pony rides, to name a few.

• When: September 18 to November 6

The fall pumpkin fest at Ort Farms serves up a host of entertaining activities for visitors of all ages. The farm will be offering train, pony and even monster truck rides on the weekends. If you want to avoid the crowds, there’s fun to be had on weekdays, too: You can get lost for the afternoon in the giant corn maze (or opt for the more kid-friendly hay bale maze instead), feed the farm animals and take your young ones to the tractor playset before you drive home with the perfect pumpkin and a doggie bag of cider donuts in tow. Note: Reservations are recommended, so be sure to score some tickets online before you head to Ort Farms for an outdoor adventure.

• When: Mid to late-September, dates TBD

Check out that maze! This gorgeous 600-acre swath of farmland features enough family-friendly recreation (including wagon rides, bouncy houses, pony rides, and yes, mazes) to ensure a memorable pumpkin picking experience. The even better news is that Alstede Farms boasts both an ice cream stand and a wine tasting courtyard, so visitors of all ages can end the day on a good note. Pro tip: If your pumpkin picking plans don’t involve young children, make it a date night visit with the harvest moon hayride—an event that includes live music, food, wine, s’mores and a romantic moonlit tour of the fields. The festivities, slated to begin in late September, will require a reservation, so check the website and book a time slot once the official opening date is announced.

• When: September 17 to November 1

The Apple Day Fall Harvest Festival at Terhune Orchards is an extravaganza of fun-filled activities that promise to thrill guests of all ages. Once the season is in full swing, visitors can paint pumpkins, play games, stroll down scenic nature trails and navigate the corn and hay bale mazes. For an additional fee, grown-up guests can also enjoy a glass of vino at the Terhune Orchards Winery tasting room. The takeaway? When it comes to bang for the buck, this seasonal celebration is hard to beat.

• When: September 10 to October 31

This pumpkin picking spot certainly lives up to its name (think: pedal carts, a pirate ship playground, a giant jumping pillow and an enormous slide). Admission to this pumpkin picking party includes 30+ additional games and activities for kids of all ages (and grown-ups, too). Just keep in mind that the whole activity menu is only available on weekends, though pumpkins can be picked any day of the week, except for Tuesday.

• When: September 24 to October 30

Gourd season will start at Demarest Farms, one of the top pumpkin picking farms in the state, in late September and continue throughout the month of October, with hay rides available Thursday through Sunday. Just keep in mind that reservations must be made in advance if you want to pick a pumpkin, and the policies are pretty strict, too. (No outside food or personal items, like backpacks and purses, are allowed.) That said, there’s a drive-in movie theater on the premises where you might be able to catch a festive and family-friendly flick (check the website for the viewing schedule), as well as a Halloween Lights show—an event that features fire pits, s’mores and hot cocoa to keep you warm after a late afternoon of pumpkin picking.

• When: September 18 to October 31, weekends only

Celebrate fall bounty and pick up a prized pumpkin at Schaefer Farms where festive fun reigns supreme. This place boasts a bouncy house, corn cannon, petting zoo, corn maze and plenty of good eats. You can even stick around until after sundown, when the place turns into a spooky “farm of horrors.” Regardless, we strongly suggest you stop by the farm stand on your way out for a mouthwatering selection of baked goods and fresh seasonal produce.

• When: September 10 to October 30

Think of this destination as the Disneyland of pick-your-own spots in Jersey. In fact, Oasis Family Farm has a list of (year-round) attractions that could fill a book: Gem mining, panning for gold, and fossil digs are a few of the exciting hands-on activities that guests can pay to participate in once the pumpkin picking mission is accomplished. Then there’s the ‘fun zone’—a recreation space that features a 50-foot tube slide, zip line, sandbox, pirate ship playground and more. Don’t be surprised if you have to drag your kids away from this action-packed farm.

• When: September 24 to October 31

Good news Pinterest drop-outs: This Passaic County staple has a dazzling array of Halloween decor available for purchase—you know, to ease the crafting pressure a bit. There’s also a large pumpkin patch so you can pick the cream of the crop after a relaxing hayride that includes refreshments. (Hello, fresh cider and sugar-coated donuts.) Finally, before you head home with your prize, swing by the barnyard to visit the chickens, peacocks, horses and other farm animals that live on the premises.

• When: September 17 to October 30, weekends only

Guests can do a lot more than simply snag a future jack-o-lantern at Von Thun’s Country Farm. General admission gives visitors access to the apple picking orchards along with an array of kid-friendly games that run the gamut from junior pedal karts to pumpkin bowling. The most spectacular attraction, though, is the 5+ acre interactive corn maze—a challenge that’s not for the faint of heart, but (thankfully) comes with a cheat sheet in case you need some extra guidance.

• When: September 17 to October 30

A supersized jumping pad, magical sunflower field and one mile long corn maze trail make for family-friendly, outdoor fun at R and J Farm, which begins its pumpkin picking season on September 17. Best of all, one pumpkin of your choosing is included in the price of the leisurely hay wagon tour, which covers the grounds and makes an extended stop at the pumpkin field.

• When: Late September to late October, dates TBD

After a scenic, peaceful hay ride through the woods, guests can pick their own pumpkin straight off the vine at the sprawling pumpkin patch at Cheesequake farms. There’s a challenging corn maze to take on, too, plus a farm stand that’s filled with fresh produce and seasonal decor that you can purchase as a festive souvenir from your pumpkin picking experience. Note: Cheesequake Farms has two locations in New Jersey and it’s advisable to check with the farm you intend to visit to ensure the pumpkin patch is ready before you swing by.

• When: October 1 to October 31

Pumpkins and gourds of every description can be found at this popular Ridgewood patch—a family-run establishment where face painting and goat feeding pair wonderfully with apple cider, homemade baked goods and local produce. Guests should be aware that, though its generously-sized lawn provides ample opportunity for little ones to run around, Ward’s pumpkin patch doesn’t provide the same sprawling farm experience as some other options. Nevertheless, you can expect a kid-friendly pumpkin picking experience made even more festive by the ever-changing seasonal decor, which includes artfully painted pumpkins along with some spooky Halloween touches. (Bonus: This one has no entry fee and is open every day of the month, too.)