Essex County Fairfield Farms 177 Big Piece Rd., Fairfield, NJ Fairfield Farms has a Covid protocol in place for all fun-in-the-field activities, which include hayrides; Rock and Roll (a “human hamster ride”); pumpkin picking; rope and corn mazes; a pumpkin slingshot; the Big Bale Mountain of Fun; and a farm animals feeding station.
NORTH JERSEY’S
TOP TEN PUMPKIN FARMS
I
n the fall, the best DYO is PYO—pick your own pumpkin, that is. And all across North Jersey, farms are happy to accommodate families who want to make an excursion of the experience, from traditional seasonal add-ons like hayrides and apple cider, to more elaborate setups like corn mazes and farm-animal petting zoos. This year most farms require tickets to be purchased in advance. Because information can change in these changing times, please call or visit the farm’s website ahead of time to double-check hours of operation and review safety protocols.
Bergen County
book a private hayride through the farm’s orchards to take home their pumpkins of choice. This year the farm’s Haunted Orchard has been cancelled due to Covid.
October hours: Weekends, 9am-6pm; Weekdays, 10am-5:30pm Hayride hours: Weekends 9:30am-6pm; weekdays 1-5pm 973-227-1011 • FairfieldFarms.net
Passaic County
Farms View 945 Black Oak Ridge Rd., Wayne, NJ Farms View offers a fun way for families and friends in North Jersey to experience fall-season traditions together. Take a hayride to the pumpkin field where you can pick your own pumpkin, with your choice of an apple cider donut or an apple to enjoy along the way. There’s also a wide selection of pumpkins available at the Farms View Farm Market.
October hours: Daily 8am-5pm Private hayrides: Monday-Friday, 1-5pm 201-666-0472 • DemarestFarms.com
October hours: Monday-Saturday, 9am-6pm; Sunday 9am-5pm Hayride hours: Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 9am-4pm; Monday-Friday, 4-5pm; Columbus Day: 1-4:30pm 973-839-1212 • FarmsView.com
Depiero’s Country Farm 156 Summit Ave., Montvale, NJ
Alstede Farms 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ
October hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm; Saturday 8am-5:30pm Hayrides and PYO: Monday-Friday, 1-5pm; Saturday 9am-5:30pm; October 12 9am-4pm 201-891-0278 • AbmasFarm.com
DePiero’s Farm Stand, in the heart of North Jersey, has been family owned and operated farm since 1924. Throughout October you can pick your own pumpkin from the pumpkin patch; take a hayride (or a haunted hayride) or tour the hay maze; and enjoy fresh-pressed apple cider or hot apple cider by the cup. Call ahead for a reservation.
Register in advance to pick your own apples and pumpkins at Demarest Farms, which has been named one of the best places to pick apples in the U.S. Groups of up to 20 can
October hours: Daily 8am-6pm 201-930-8678 / 201-391-4576 Depieros-Farm-Stand-and-Greenhouses. business.site
Fall brings the bright, warm colors of harvest to Alstede Farms, where pick-your-owners can choose from orange or white pumpkins, munchkins, gourds and assorted winter squash, to decorate their space. Due to Covid, guests are required to pre-purchase a PYO ticket online. Each guest entering the fields must have a ticket with them that includes an entry fee. POY ticket price includes admission to the farm’s evergreen, sunflower and corn mazes.
Abma’s Farm 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff, NJ Family is the focus at Abma’s Farm, which four generations have now owned and operated. Every fall, parents and children visit the historic farm to enjoy the Barnyard Petting Zoo as well as traditional seasonal activities such as hayrides, scarecrow making, and pumpkin picking and decorating. This year all fall events, including the petting zoo, require tickets purchased in advance for visitors ages 2 and up.
Demarest Farms 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale, NJ
12
Hudson County
NAHudson.com
Morris County
October hours: Daily 9am-5pm 908-258-6245 • AlstedeFarms.com
