School has started, the humidity has finally broken, and the air feels a little crisper. Autumn has come to the Garden State and brought wonderful fall activities with it. Apple picking, pumpkin picking, and haunted hayrides are ways that we find ourselves spending our time off during the fall, delighting in the warm colors and savory scents of the season. Time to tuck in with a warm cup of apple cider or hot cocoa, start baking pumpkin or apple pies, and take a haunted hayride. But before you do, make sure you know where to go to find those apples, pumpkins, and frights!
Pumpkin Patches
Go pumpkin picking all throughout New Jersey this autumn.
Secor Farms in Mahwah, NJ
“Secor Farms near The Dayton has non-haunted hayrides, pumpkin picking, and more! They offer both weekday and weekend visits for individuals or larger groups. They even have pricing for school visits! Visit the corn maze for a fun afternoon activity.
Fairfield Farms in Fairfield, NJ
You’ll easily be able to fill an afternoon at Fairfield Farms. This full-service fall farm is close to Oakes Pond at Bloomfield and will delight all ages. From the kid-friendly corn maze to hayrides and petting zoo to pumpkin slingshot, there’s no shortage of fun things to do!
Ort Farms in Long Valley, NJ
Near Pondview Estates, you’ll find Ort Farms in Long Valley, NJ. This farm has something for everyone, no matter your age. Find pumpkins to decorate either on-site or at home, play in the corn maze, meet the farm animals, and so much more at this family-friendly farm!
Apple Orchards
Go apple picking for the sweet fruits you need for your holiday treats.
Demarest Farms in Hillsdale, NJ
Demarest Farms offers several varieties of apples – perfect for pies, applesauce, muffins, donuts, ciders, and so much more, and just a quick trip from The Jefferson and other Bergen County apartments. Reservations are required at the expansive Demarest Farms, so be sure to make one before you visit. They also put on one of the largest Halloween Light Shows in NJ!
Melick’s Town Farm in Oldwick, NJ
Pick your own apples, visit the Cider Mill, and meet the farm animals at Melick’s Town Farm. Go on tractor wagon rides around the farm and pick from an incredible variety of apples. Whether you’re looking for Empire, Red Delicious Cortland, Crimson Crisp, and so many others, you’ll find the apples you need on this farm within a quick drive from The Residences at Raritan Town Square.
Terhune Orchards in Princeton, NJ
Just down the road from Windsor Woods you’ll find Terhune Orchards. While the kids have fun meeting the animals and riding on kids’ tractors, the adults can visit the on-site winery before everyone goes apple picking on a crisp fall afternoon. Be sure to check out the Farm Festivals to plan your visit around even more fun farm activities.
Haunted Hayrides
Get your scares from a haunted hayride in the dark of night.
The Deserted Village in Berkeley Heights
Haunted hayrides have returned to the Deserted Village in Berkeley Heights, near Lakeside at Briant Park. Take a trip through this uninhabited village of Feltville, NJ, in the Watchung Reservation. Meet the early inhabitants of these homes as you go through the darkened and dreary forest.
Scare Farm at Norz Hill Farm in Somerset County
Scare Farm at Norz Hill Farm, a short drive from The Residences at Raritan Town Square, is sure to give you the spooks that you seek this season. They have the Slay Ride – a haunted hayride that can scare even the best. Be ready to walk through the haunted trails where the insane lurk around every corner. Legend has it the whole property is haunted!
Field of Terror in East Windsor
Field of Terror is not for the faint of heart. Also close to Windsor Woods, this outdoor scare fest is sure to fright and delight all who visit. There are both daytime and nighttime activities. Take the Haunted Hayride to Terror Town, visit the Timmery Manor, and walkthrough the Kornfield of Karnage…if you dare.