Your Fall Farm Guide: Apple and Pumpkin Picking Near Jersey City

The first crisp morning of September has a way of making you reach for a chunky sweater and think about apple cider doughnuts. For many of us in Hudson County, fall doesn’t officially start on the calendar—it starts when we load the kids into the car and head to a farm for that perfect pumpkin or a bag of Honeycrisps.

Lucky for us, you don’t need to travel far. A new roundup from Hoboken Girl lists more than a dozen farms across Northern New Jersey, all within 1.5 hours of Jersey City and Hoboken. Whether you want a petting zoo for the little ones, a corn maze for the adventure seekers, or just a quiet orchard to wander through, there’s a spot that fits the bill.

What’s out there

Let’s start with the closest options. In Bergen County, Abma’s Farm in Wyckoff is about 50 minutes away. You can pick your own pumpkins and enjoy a petting zoo, hayrides, and a farm market with apple cider and doughnuts. For something a bit bigger, Demarest Farms in Hillsdale also sits about 50 minutes out, with apples, pumpkins, and even summer peaches. They’ve got a corn maze and a Halloween light show that’s become a local favorite.

In Essex County, Fairfield Farms is the closest at 45 minutes. Their pumpkin patch comes with a rolling tube ride, a spooky trail, and a rope maze—plus a pumpkin launch that’s great for older kids.

If you’re willing to drive a little further, Hunterdon County has some gems. Melick’s Town Farm in Oldwick offers apples and pumpkins, plus hayrides and a farm market with seasonal goodies. The same family runs Califon Orchards, about an hour out, where you can also find hard cider and wine. For a true pick-your-own experience, Phillips Farms in Milford lets you choose from 20 different crops, including apples, pumpkins, pears, and sunflowers.

Heading south, Terhune Orchards in Princeton is an impressive operation—they list over 30 crops you can pick, depending on the season. It’s a bit of a hike at 1.5 hours, but you’ll find live music, ponies, and a winery once you get there.

In Middlesex County, Etsch Farm in Monroe Township is an hour away and offers corn mazes, hayrides, and apple cider slushies. Giamarese Farm in East Brunswick also has a corn maze and pony rides, plus apples and pumpkins to pick. And Von Thun’s Country Farm Market in Monmouth Junction is a favorite for its monthly corn maze and apple cider donuts—yes, they’re that good.

In Monmouth County, A. Casola Farms in Holmdel goes all out with haunted hayrides, cowboy shows, and even wine tastings at nearby Fox Hollow Vineyards. Battleview Orchards in Freehold is another classic for apple picking.

Plan ahead

Before you head out, the key is to check each farm’s website. Hours change, crops ripen early or late, and weather can shut down picking. Some farms, like Secor Farms in Mahwah, require advance tickets for weekend activities. So it’s not a bad idea to make it part of your morning coffee routine: pick a farm, confirm their schedule, and maybe even call ahead if you have questions.

For Hudson County residents, these trips are more than just a fun afternoon—they’re a way to reconnect with the seasons. After a summer of heat and crowds, there’s something grounding about walking through an orchard or watching a kid light up when they find the perfect gourd.

As one parent put it, “It’s our family’s way of saying summer’s over and we’re okay with it.”

So load up the car, grab some wipes for sticky hands, and take a drive. The apples are waiting.