Fall is here and with it, thoughts of cooler weather, leaf piles, football, and of course apple picking. We are lucky to have some fantastic locations for apple picking not very far away.
Our family favorite is Melick’s in Oldwick NJ. It’s about 30 minutes from Maplewood, mostly highway driving on Rt 78. Currently you can book online to make sure there is space and they are charging $2.99/person for the reservation.
I love Melick’s because it feels vast and you can kind of get lost in the rows of apple trees. There are hayrides on the weekends and they sell delicious donuts. Melick’s also has an orchard in Califon NJ – I have not been there but hear it is more just about the picking there (no hayrides).
Riamede Farm in Chester garners rave reviews from local parents. It’s website also has an easy Farm Entry pass system so you can reserve a time in advance; prices range from $1-$7 depending on day/time.
Finally, I’ve just learned about Hillview Farms in Gillette – which is closer to the SOMa area. It makes for an easy after-school trip to pick apples. Their website doesn’t offer reservations so please call in advance to make sure of the picking schedule.