Gorgeous Weekend Ahead? Here's Where To Go Apple and Pumpkin Picking

New Jersey's pumpkin picking season usually starts around Sept. 15, with peak activity from Oct. 1 to Oct. 15. Pick-your-own apple and pumpkin farms are plentiful in New Jersey (our own Bader Farms to name one), but each offers something a bit different. Some have rides; others elaborate corn mazes. Check out our (growing, incomplete) Patch list below for some ideas about where to go and please feel free to add your own favorite spots!

Alstede Farms—84 Route 513 (Old Route 24), Chester; Phone: 908-879-7189; At Alstede you can pick apples, pumpkins, get lost in mazes and enjoy hayrides. There's also all sorts of veggies including tons of Jersey tomatoes on hand to purchase. Afterward, you can take a stroll through lovely Chester, filled with quaint shops and cafes. For more information, go here.

Demarest Farms—224 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale; Phone: 201-666-0472; Open weekends 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., $5 per person, including hayride; Apples are $8 per bag and holds up to 15 pounds of apples. Pick you own apples and enjoy a hayride. For more information, go here.

Farms View—945 Black Oak Ridge Road, Wayne; Phone: 973-839-1212; Pick your own pumpkins throughout October. Hayrides are offered on Saturdays (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sundays (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) starting the last weekend in September until the end of October, and Columbus Day (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.). No reservations are needed for hayrides. For more information, go here.

Grochowicz Farms—2401 Route 31, Glen Gardner; Phone: 908-537-4332; Fall Family Fun is open to the general public on Saturdays and Sundays. New for 2010 the farm will be open on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fun Filled Days start Sept. 25 and last all weekends weather permitting until the end of October. The last day to enjoy family fun is Oct. 31. Drop by to see the animals on a 30-minute hayride and explore the corn maze. Open Saturday and Sundays starting at 11 a.m. with the the last admission at 4 p.m. For more information, go here.

Heaven Hill Farm—451 Route 94, Vernon; Open daily at 9 a.m. The Pumpkin Land Festival runs from Saturday, Sept. 18 to Sunday, Oct. 31. Not only can you take your kids pumpkin picking, but this weekend you can create a hay bale sculpture and win all sorts of prizes. In addition, there's a wide variety of family entertainment including rides and mazes at this popular pumpkin spot. For more information, go here.

Horse Sleigh Farm—35 Kayharts Lane, Washington Township; This year the farm will have twice as many Pick Your Own pumpkins (Opens Sept. 25) than last year as well as a difficult estimated two-to-three hour Wild Wild West themed corn maze! For more information, go here.

Hurds Family Farm—2187 Route 32, Modena, N.Y.; Phone: 845-883-7825; Open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission during the week is $5 and $10 on weekends. Children under 2 are free. From Aug. 31 through Oct. 31, this farm offers apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, bonfires and a cornfield maze. Feed farm pets at the Critter Corner and play at the Kid's Corral. Visit an 18th Century Dutch Threshing Barn for country gifts and refreshments. For more information, go here.

Wrightman's Farms—1111 Mt. Kemble Ave. (Route 202), Morristown; Hot line: 973-425-0840; Market phone: 973-425-9819; Open weekends through Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. P.Y.O. With a market decked out with Indian corn and all sorts of painted pumpkins, this stop offers lots of products such as cider as well as giant pumpkins great for taking pictures. You can pick your own apples and peaches and also enjoy hay rides and a huge corn maze. For more information, go here.