Pumpkin Patches Fall Fun Near Florham Park

If ever there were a singular event that ushered in the fall season, a visit to a pumpkin patch would surely be a frontrunner. It’s an ideal destination for families, couples, school kids, bakers with pies in their eyes — young, old and all ages in between can enjoy an outing to the patch.

The team at Archer Hotel Florham Park has compiled a list of their favorite pumpkin patches in and around the borough. Put on some comfy shoes, bring a camera for plenty of selfies and fun fall photos and get ready for fresh produce, tractor rides, corn mazes, farm animals and, of course, your pick of the pumpkin crop. Then come back to Archer Hotel for some well-deserved R&R.

A local favorite, Farms View in Wayne, New Jersey, is a farm market and garden center less than 30 minutes northeast of Archer Hotel Florham Park. Wander through the eight greenhouses full of an extensive selection of plants and gardening supplies. Then take a hayride to the pumpkin patch, which includes Big Mac pumpkins weighing up to 200 pounds, while enjoying cider and donuts. Shop more than 20 varieties of fresh-picked, locally grown apples, Indian corn, hardy mums and other produce.

Pick your own is the name of the game at Alstede Farms, with fields for sweet corn, potatoes, eggplant, apples, beets, pumpkins, sunflowers and more. Tour the farm, visit the animals, watch the process of making apple cider, take a harvest moon hayride and enjoy a wine tasting from New Jersey’s largest winery, Tomasello Winery.

For nearly a century, Wightman Farms has grown and sold fruits and vegetables in nearby Morristown. Today, they also offer farm-baked goods, cider and ice cream. Grab some lunch at one of the food trucks, then pick your own apples, take a scenic hayride and be a-mazed in one of its mazes (giant corn, hay bale, rope, paver). Take home your favorite pumpkin, along with local meats, dairy, salsas, honey and apple butter.

Autumn on the Hacklebarney Farm includes a pick-your-own pumpkin field, twisty corn maze and cider-pressing demonstrations. This dog-friendly, family-run property has an iconic red building, where visitors can get cider hot dogs, baked apple dumplings, pumpkin donuts, jams, candles and all sorts of homemade pies and goodies. Enjoy walking around the farm while sipping cider and picking the perfect pumpkin.

Pumpkins and mums and ornamental cabbage — oh, my! Stony Hill Farms has 20,000 square feet of greenhouses with annuals and perennials, orchids, a full-service floral shop and seasonal plants. Peruse the fall market that’s overflowing with fresh produce, specialty goods, bakery items and décor. Bring the kiddos to explore the Maze Fun Park and pick your own fall bounty.

This family-friendly outing includes Mommy and Me Mondays, Thursday storytime, Ladies Night every other Friday, a corn maze and sunflower trail and a fall festival complete with hayrides and farm animals. Homegrown and local favorites at Ort Farms include fall squash (including pumpkins), apples, scallions, carrots, beets and sweet corn. A must try: their famous apple cider donuts. And food trucks are serving their specialties on weekends at Ort Farms.