NJ Fall Fun 2011 Edition

Editor’s Note It’s another fall season, not only do we have pumpkin patch fever, but apple picking season is still going on.  We thought we revisit this post with some new updates from our fans. So some of the material you may have seen before but we inserted a few of our smaller farms as well.

With October here, pumpkin patches, hayrides and all sorts of fall fun, we thought it would be a good idea to put together a Fall Fun post. Yes, I know there are so much information out there already, but thought with all this info overload, let’s find out what NJ Playground friends and fans think. Please note that we love feedback, so if you have something to share, comment below.

Bergen County:
Recommendation from our friend Victoria is to visit “The Farm in Closter”. It’s small but it’s very family friendly.

Hunterdon County:

Melick’s Town Farm which is located in Oldwick, Califon and Bridgewater has pick your own, and hayrides.

Corn Maze- Train Ride and Hayride all in one- Ringoes, NJ. This one was suggested by one of our NJ Playground facebook fans, Anna. The kids loved it! The staff was very warm and friendly, it was a nice group.

Here’s my little collage- This place is not crowded! and you kind of wonder if you are going the right way, but there it is, right by the train station.

If you have train fans, make sure you catch a ride on the caboose either part of the round trip. We didn’t do the whole maze, due to the attitude and lack of stroller for 18m old, but they did get enough holes punched in their card to get a stuffed pirate bear and some other stuffed animal. We were a bit late for another event, so we missed out on the hayride, but Anna made it, and here’s her pumpkin patch pic 🙂

Mercer County:

Turkey Farm in East Windsor- Leora W. my web guru, and author of Here in HP blog, shared this link of Lee Turkey Farm and it’s cool that they have a variety of tours for different ages.

Monmouth County:

VonThun Farms in Monmouth Junction– Open everyday until October 31, they have a boatload of activities available only on weekends– go-cart looking bike or trike race, moon bounce, rubber duck races, and 5 holes of mini-mini golf.

Morris County:

For a smaller less crowded place, Amy recommends Hamilton Farms in Boonton, cute hayride with a few minimally scary decorations, a pumpkin patch and farm animals. 

My 2 boys loved the Noah’s Ark Playground at Stony Hill Farm, in Chester. They also have tons of mazes too.. not just their 10-acre corn maze.

From The Hungry Librarian of “Readitcookit” : “The Long Valley Sheepherding company in Morris county is amazing. They do tours of the barns and creamer.” Thanks JT! I also was told that I have something in common with the owner, we both went to Stevens Institute of Technology, and now do completely different things..

Sun High Orchards in Canfield Road, in Randolph, and I agree. We haven’t gone this year, but the pumpkin patch was great from what I remember. Has a little zoo, picnic area. The nice part of this one, is that it is open 7 days a week, check with them on the availability of special activities.

Here’s some information on their tours from their site

Alstedes is recommended by alot of people I know, but I find it to be sooooo crowded on the weekends, but weekdays may be a better bet. there is one that is close by, not Stony Hill, but one that had a wooden train that the kids enjoyed climbing around, can’t remember where it is, if anyone knows, tell me!

*Click here for Special Harvest Moon Hayride 10/14,15; 10/21,22; 10/28,29 from 6pm-10pm at Alstedes!

Wightmans Farm, Morristown NJ is fun but crowded and a bit pricey according to a fan.

Hillview Farms in Gillette, NJ is a repeat favorite from some of our friends.

Riamede Farms is another favorite from some of our fans, which boasts apple picking and hayrides, without the bells and whistles. Check out their site for more information.

Ort Farms located in Long Valley, was recommended by Karen as a place for a lot of fun and not too crowded.

Ocean County:

Renee shared her day trip idea with us which is to hit Farmingdale after lunch, and then Atlantic Farms in Manasquan. Pine Creek Railroad in Allaire (Monmouth county) isn’t too far away either!  We love that park and the Historic Village of Allaire has some great events, check out our review for more information on both!

Sussex County:

Ideal Farm and Garden in Lafayette (right across from Chatterbox on Rt. 15) from 2 friends, one which appreciate it as a “not too commercial” but lots of fun.

Lentinis Produce- pay for the maze, but the
hayride and pumpkin are free according to an FB friend. I think the haunted one you have to pay for though.

Another big one is Heaven Hill, in Vernon, wow! We loved it, it was huge and crowded, but we spent the day there and the kids had so much fun. Check out our review!
Union County:

I visited Parker Gardens in Scotch Plains, and Williams Nursery in Cranford. Both were excellent, and I shared my experiences in full detail for the Patch (Scotch Plains version). The highlight for me was the hay “sledding” . Gina, my fellow Springfield NJ mom friend, really likes what Williams Nursery has done this year to boost their decorations in the hay ride, can’t wait to check it out for this fall. Update 2011: It’s best to call Parker Gardens for their weekend schedule, as it is not posted on their website. 908.322.5555.

Warren County:

Special event going on 10/22-10/23! Pumpkin Sling in Harmony Township.  From their website: “In addition to a new location there will also be a Hot Air Balloon Rally, incuding special shape Airhead Invader and the Pumpkin Balloon – the original flying pumpkin. The October Vistas Bus Tour will be expanded and children can participate in a pumpkin toss and mini catapulting at the Kids’ Corner.”

UPDATE- 10/14- FB post from Jennifer- Race Farms in Blairstown NJ. Went apple picking it was great. Also have pumpkins and other items to pick. Cider and of course cider doughnuts! YUM

Kim recommended Tranquility Farms in Allamuchy NJ

Tara gave Donaldson’s Farm in Hackettstown a positive review but hopes it doesn’t get crowded once we share it on our post 🙂

Pennsylvania– I need to give a special day trip suggestion from my friend Beth who recently went to Cherry Crest Adventure. There is so much to do in Lancaster County, but this was pretty awesome. Check out their site to get more info on their Barnyard Jump, Giant hay chute slide, slides on burlap, pedal carts, farm tours, farm animals, really a full day, and you can also add Strasburg Railroad which isn’t too far away.

For more links on Pumpkin Patches in NJ, visit this great resource that is full of info and incorporates feedback into their posts. Also want to include your pic in our post? Post them on our Facebook Fan Page, and we’ll add it! Thanks to Sara, Anna, Shannon, Jeanette, Kelly, Gina, Lea, Leora and Beth for their feedback!

Update for 2011- I love our wonderful fans for their feedback, there is so much out there, it’s good to know some folks that can give us some good places to go!! Thank you Danielle, Tara, Stacey, Nicole, Kim, Renee, Victoria, Rachel, Beth Christine, Karen and Kathleen and anyone else I forgot!

And some pictures from our fan page from NJ pumpkin patches!