Favorite Farms for Apple Picking in New Jersey

Updated September 2024

The air has turned crisp and apple picking season has arrived! If you’ve followed me since my now teenage son was young, you know how much I love visiting pick-your-own farms. From flowers to berries, New Jersey has some of the best farms for pick-your-own. Autumn is all about the apples! When my son was younger, it became an annual tradition to visit our favorite farms for apple picking in New Jersey every fall. We also loved venturing to new farms. If you’re looking for a fun fall family activity, check out one of my favorite farms for apple picking below.

Riamede Farm

Located in the charming town of Chester, Riamede Farm is one of my favorite places to pick apples and pumpkins. They offer hayrides to the orchard and pumpkin field. I’m also a huge fan of their sweet orange, yellow and red cherry tomatoes; they are so sweet and delicious! They also have cut your own sunflowers. 

Looking for someplace with more kid-friendly activities? Try one of these farms:

Wightman Farms in Morristown

Located in the scenic Morris County, Wightman Farms offers hayrides, a pumpkin slingshot, pick-your- own apples, a hay maze and more! They also have an onsite store featuring locally grown produce, fresh baked goods and local artisan products.

Alstede Farms

Another great farm in Chester, Alstede Farms, offers everything from pick-your-own apples, seasonal veggies, flowers and much much more. They have a fantastic giant hay pyramid that my son loved to climb and jump from when he was young. They also have two corn mazes (one for kids and one for adults), farm animals, wine tasting, an onsite store and homemade ice cream and more! 

Ripple Hill Farm in Basking Ridge

One of Somerset counties best kept secrets if you want to ditch the crowds and commotion is Ripple Hill Farm in Basking Ridge. This is the place to visit for a laid back afternoon picking apples. The serene setting of this quaint apple orchard makes it my favorite farm to visit in the fall. They also happen to grow Granny Smith apples, among many other varieties, which are my favorite variety! This is hands-down, one of my favorite spots.

Terhune Orchards in Princeton

Located in Princeton (my hometown!), Terhune Orchards is a beautiful 200-acre farm and historic apple orchard that has everything from apple picking, pumpkin picking, farm animals, a farm market, fresh pressed cider, pies and more. They also have a vineyard and winery! Not only was this the first place I ever picked apples as a child, but one summer in high school, I worked in the farm market. Visit their website for advance tickets.

Sun High Orchards in Randolph

One of Morris County’s favorite farms, Sun High Orchards dates back to 1945 and has 25 acres of fruit trees. In additional to offering apple picking, Sun High Orchard has friendly animals, including alpaca “Jersey Gold”  and mini donkey “Jessica”.  Enjoy apple cider donuts, fresh baked pies, ice cream and more in its bountiful farm market. You can even play a game of checkers or Candyland in front of a reconstructed historic bee hive oven and fireplace. 

Philips Farms, Milford

Phillips Farms has a year-round local Farm Market. The farm has a variety of pick-your-own options from berries, to pumpkin and apples. Be sure to check their website for what’s in season and hours before you go.

Hillview Farms, Gillete

If you live in Union County and are looking for something close by and no frills, check out Hillview Farms. This is a favorite for elementary school class trips. Family-owned and operated, the farm has something to offer in summer and fall, from blueberries in July, peaches and zinnias in August and Apples in September and October, as well as pumpkins. Be sure to check out their General Store for produce, fresh eggs and honey.

Happy apple picking!

What is your family’s favorite farm for picking apples in New Jersey? I’d love to hear from you!

Looking for some other fun fall activities? You might enjoy reading Family Friendly Hikes in NJ.

Apple-picking season is also the perfect time to update your family photos! Learn more about my laid-back and fun lifestyle family photo sessions.

I can’t wait to capture your family this fall! Get in touch to schedule your session today!