Nothing beats a crisp, fresh, juicy apple at the start of fall. At these NJ spots, you can pick your own (PYO) apples, press your own cider, or savor some sweet apple pie. Make sure to call ahead to find out what’s available.
Alstede Farms, Chester
908-879-7189- PYO apples, blackberries, cantaloupes, peaches, and other fruits, 9 am–7 pm daily.
- Tip: go Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9 am and 1 pm for free admission to the PYO areas and hayride transportation.
Demarest Farm, Hillsdale
201-666-0472- Apple picking starts shortly after Labor Day. Families can also pick their own peaches, sweet corn, and other fresh goodies. Hayrides are available on weekends, 10 am–4:30 pm.
Garden State Discovery Museum, Cherry Hill
856-424-1233- Farm Fun with Quiver Farm, Sept. 15: friends from Quiver Farm in PA pay a visit with their apple cider press and some people-loving animals. Use the apple grinder to make juice and say hello to the live animals, 12 and 2:30 pm.
Giamarese Farm, East Brunswick
732-821-9494- Beginning around Sept. 8, families can pick their own apples. Call ahead to find out which varieties are ripe, 10 am–6 pm Tues.–Sat., 10 am–3 pm Sun.
Riamede Farm, Chester
908-879-5353- The farm opens Aug. 30 for their PYO apple season, promising ripe Galas, Macintosh, Ginger Golds, and other varieties.
- Tip: multiple trips are suggested to catch each variety at its ripened best. Call ahead to find out what’s ripe and being picked every day, 9 am–4:30 pm daily.
Photo courtesy of Stony Hill Farm.
More on apples —>
The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, Morris Plains
973-540-0311- Fall Family Day, Sept. 22: this is a harvest celebration that includes apple cider pressing, pumpkin painting, handcrafting demonstrations, old-fashioned races, and carnival-style games, 12–4 pm.
Stony Hill Pick Your Own Farm, Long Valley
908-879-2908- Stony Hill has opened a new PYO farm in Long Valley where your family can pick apples and pumpkins, 10 am–5 pm, Sept. 15–16, 22–23, and select dates in Oct.
Sun High Orchards, Randolph
973-584-4734- Starting the weekend after Labor Day, head to the orchards to PYO apples (there may even be tomatoes available). Kids can pet the farm animals, including alpacas, donkeys, rabbits, and more, 9 am–6 pm daily.
Tenafly Nature Center, Tenafly
201-568-6093- Help make cider using an apple press and learn about apple cultivation and cider making, 12:30 and 2 pm, Sundays, Sept. 2–30.
- Tip: Apples will be provided, but more apples mean more cider, so bring a few.
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
609-924-2310- PYO apples and pumpkins, go on pony and wagon rides, visit the corn stalk maze, listen to live music, and more, 10 am-5 pm, Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 22-Oct. 28.
- Apple Day, Sept. 15–16: try fresh apple pie, apple cider, apple cider donuts, and more. Dance to the Daisy Jug Band, take pony and wagon rides, paint pumpkins, explore the corn stalk maze, and more, 10 am-5 pm.