The Top 5 Things To Do This Fall

Ort Farms pumpkin patch (Ort Farms)

Ort Farms pumpkin patch (Ort Farms)

It’s officially fall which means there are so many must-do activities before winter comes. From apple picking to pumpkin carving, Morris County alone has so much offer. Be sure to check it out before it’s too late!

1. Apple Picking: When you think of fall, the first thing that comes to mind are apples. The best ways to use them are in apple pie, apple cider, or applesauce. Within a 5 minute drive outside of Long Valley there are multiple prime spots to pick the perfect apple.

Alstede Farms
1 Alstede Farms Ln, Chester, NJ 07930

Alstedes is probably one of, if not the most popular farm in New Jersey, let alone Morris County. After being featured on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Alstedes has had tons of publicity. Currently, they are extremely popular for their apple picking. According to their website, “ We have Gala, Jonamac, Jonagold, Empire, Fuji, MacIntosh, Macoun, Cortland, Liberty, Red & Golden Delicious apples available to pick your own.” Please note, if you plan to visit and pick your own apples, you need to purchase your ticket online prior to visiting in order to ensure entry!

Honey Crisp apples at Alstede Farms! (Alstede Farm)

Riamede Farms
122 Oakdale Rd, Chester, NJ 07930

Riamede is New Jersey’s oldest pick-your-own apple orchard. Their farm has a ginormous selection of apples to choose from. They are open 7 days a week from 9am-4:30pm.

Stony Hill Farms
15 North Rd, Chester, NJ 07930

Stony Hill Farms is located right near the heart of Chester. They have a large variety of apples to choose from. You can go and pick them daily from 10am–5pm. They do have an entry fee, starting at $7.99 plus tax per person.

Donaldson Farm
358 Allen Rd, Hackettstown, NJ 07840

Donaldson’s Farms is located just outside of Long Valley in Hacketstown. They offer to pick your own apples from their orchard. Depending on the year, apple picking is typically available mid-September through mid-November. On the weekends you can take a hayride to the orchard for $2. On weekdays, grab a wheelbarrow and walk to the fields. The hours are from 10am–5pm. Some of the variety they offer include Blondee, Courtland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Jonagold, *Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Macintosh, Macoun, and Snowsweet apples.

2. Pumpkin Picking: In addition to apple picking, pumpkin picking is the perfect way to get ready for fall. Whether you’re just going for the experience, or if you plan to carve your pumpkin, it is enjoyable at any age. Some of the best places to pick the perfect pumpkin are:

Alstede Farms
1 Alstede Farms Ln, Chester, NJ 07930

Alstedes is probably one of, if not the most popular farm in New Jersey, let alone Morris County. After being featured on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Alstedes has had tons of publicity. In addition to picking your own apples, Alstedes also features pick your own pumpkins. Please note, if you plan to visit and pick your own pumpkins you need to purchase your ticket online prior to arrival, in order to ensure entry! Depending on how many activities you plan to do, the price can vary from $15-$25.

Donaldsons
358 Allen Rd, Hackettstown, NJ 07840

Donaldson’s Farms is located just outside of Long Valley in Hacketstown. They allow you to pick your own pumpkins. On the weekends, for $2, they offer a hayride that takes you to the pumpkin patch. On weekdays, grab a wheelbarrow and walk to the fields! Their hours are from 10am–5pm.

Hacklebarney Cider Mill
104 State Park Rd, Chester, NJ 07930

Hacklebarney Cider Mill is open from Thursday to Sunday for pumpkin picking. It is located right near Hacklebarney State Park!

Ort Farms
25 Bartley Rd, Long Valley, NJ 07853

Ort Farms is located right here in Long Valley. They have so much to offer, from hay rides to farm animals, but what’s really popular is their pumpkin patch. You can buy tickets online or in person. The pumpkin patch is open weekdays from 11am -6pm and weekends 9:30am-5pm. You can either take a hayride to walk to the patch! While you’re visiting, be sure to try their apple cider donuts!

Stony Hill Farms
15 North Rd, Chester, NJ 07930
Stony Hill Farms is located right near the heart of Chester. They have a large variety of pumpkins to choose from. They are known for their gigantic pumpkins! You can go and pick them daily from 10am–5pm. They do have an entry fee, starting at $7.99 plus tax per person.

Donaldsons Farms’ 2021 Corn Maze. (Donaldsons Farms)

3. Corn Mazes: Going to a corn maze is a must this fall. There are so many different mazes near Morris County to visit. Whether you’re trying to race your friends through them or are solving it with your family, it is a great time for all! Be sure to check out some of these places.

Donaldsons
358 Allen Rd, Hackettstown, NJ 07840

Donaldson’s Farms is located just outside of Long Valley in Hacketstown. This year their corn maze is “Sarah’s Fight for Hope.” $1 from every corn maze ticket purchased this season will be donated to the Sarah’s Fight for Hope Foundation. The maze is $9 per person and children 4 years and under are free! Their hours vary depending on any given day, however they typically end early evening so make sure to check before you go!

Ort farms
25 Bartley Rd, Long Valley, NJ 07853

Ort Farms is located right here in Long Valley. This year’s corn maze beneficiary is the Long Valley Food Pantry and it is 6 acres in size. It is open weekdays from 10-5 and weekends from 9:30-5. It is also free with admission!

Alstedes
1 Alstede Farms Ln, Chester, NJ 07930

Alstedes is probably one of, if not the most popular farm in New Jersey, let alone Morris County. After being featured on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Alstedes has had tons of publicity. Every year, “We grow a giant corn maze,” according to their website. If you choose to challenge yourself, daytime access is from 9am-6pm. The corn maze is included with pick your own admission. So while you’re there be sure to check out the apple trees and pumpkin patch! Alstedes also offers a “Harvest Moon Hayride.” Every Friday and Saturday for the rest of October, you can enter the corn maze at dark from 6pm-10pm.

The Hayride of Horrors and Haunted House entrance. (Corrado’s Farm)

4. Haunted Houses/Haunted Hayrides:

Haunted Hayrides and Haunted Houses are a little more hard to come by in Morris County, but the ones you can find are well worth it.

The Hayride of Horrors & Haunted House
671 Mt Bethel Rd, Hackettstown, NJ 07840

The Hayride of Horrors & Haunted House is in Hackettstown, right outside of Long Valley. The haunted hayride is nothing like your average trip to the farm. While being brought on a spooky journey through the woods, there are tons of different characters that jump on the tractor in hopes to scare you. Additionally, similar to the hayride, the haunted house has people dressed up in costumes scattered around trying to scare you. In order to visit, you can buy your tickets online. They are only open Friday through Sunday, until Halloween, so get there before it’s too late!

One of the many displays at The Hayride of Horrors. (Corrado’s Farm)

Campbell’s Haunted Tours
1 Draco Dr, Randolph, NJ 07869

Returning for only 4 nights this October, you don’t want to miss this. On October 22nd, 23rd, 29th, and 30th, Campbell’s Haunted Tours are back! During the tour you will be guided in groups of 7 to 10 people through a maze with all types of horror awaiting you. The tours are 20 minutes max and are not recommended for younger children. The tours are free, but they do accept donations!

5. Halloween Events:

Dorney Park’s “Halloween Haunt”
4000 Dorney Park Road, Allentown PA 18104

Although Dorney Park is not located in Morris County, let alone New Jersey, the hour drive is well worth the experience. Up until October 30th, Dorney Park is bringing back their Halloween Haunt. Hundreds of monsters will be scattered throughout the park ready to scare you at any moment. It is far from your average amusement park experience and it’s one you definitely don’t want to miss out on. Be sure to buy your tickets online in advance to ensure entry.

Six Flags “Fright Fest”
1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson Township NJ 08527

Six Flag’s Fright Fest! (Six Flags)

Similar to “The Haunt”, Six Flags has brought back their annual “Fright Fest.” Every weekend and select weekdays for the rest of October you can experience the thrill you get at any amusement park times 10. They have their normal rides and attractions, but with a haunted twist, plus exclusive activities solely around for Fright Fest. While you’re there watch your back because you never know when a monster could come out. You must book a reservation online if you want to attend.

From corn mazes, to haunted houses the fall offers something for everyone. Morris County alone has so much to do, and none of it is worth missing out on!