If you’re looking for a fun farm outing this fall {or just want to experience a taste of fresh produce}, there are tons of apple and pumpkin farms worth a visit this season. We recently visited Alstede Farms, located in Chester {about an hour drive from Hoboken + Jersey City} that features large fields perfect for fresh fruit and vegetable picking as well as lots of kid-friendly activities to keep everyone happy.
Make Your Plan
Since the fields at Alstede Farms are pretty expansive, the first thing you may want to do is get on the U-Pick line and check out what the farm has to offer — $13 will get you a large cardboard box for picking, a map and a wristband, which grants you access to a free hayride that will drop you off at any of the fields available for picking. The most popular things to pick in the fall are apples {choose from 17 different varieties including Golden Delicious and Honeycrisp} and pumpkins, but the farm also has raspberries, peaches, potatoes, and eggplant in season.
Once you get off the hayride at your chosen stop, you are free to pick to your heart’s content {and if you want to sample an apple or two while picking, no judgment} and upon exiting the farm, you’ll pay for your pickings on the checkout line.
Food Options
Alstede also offers a bunch of options in the way of food and desserts — the food tent includes pulled pork sandwiches {which are pretty delicious}, hot dogs, bratwurst, fries and mac+cheese {also a stellar option}. For something sweet, the homemade ice cream stand has plenty of refreshing flavors including Pumpkin Chip {pumpkin ice cream with chocolate chips, definitely a winner} as well as Moose Tracks and Cotton Candy {and for a refresher try an apple cider slushie — pictured above}. Visitors can also pop into the Tomasello Winery tent and enjoy plenty of samples from this Hammonton winery including Witch’s Brew, a spiced, heated wine that is on-point for fall.
See More: The Best New Jersey Spots for Festive Fall Foliage {Get Your Camera Ready!}
Other Activities
If you’re not in the fresh produce type of mood but would like to participate in some farm entertainment, there are plenty of other activities to partake in including a corn maze, lots of bouncy houses and live entertainment for the kiddos. Another worthy attraction is the full-fledged petting zoo with donkeys, horses, goats, sheep, roosters, and lots more, with the option to buy some feed for the animals if you want to give them a treat.
Shopping
The fully stocked general store is the best place to stop on your way out — here you can buy {what else} more fresh produce, gourds {for your fall decorating, of course} and check out more wine tasting options from Tomasello. Also, don’t miss out on the seriously yummy fresh-baked goods including pies {pecan, shoofly and cherry are just some of the varieties}, caramel apples, apple cider donuts {because what’s fall without one of those?}, and even gluten-free baked goods so everyone can enjoy a little something.
All in all, Alstede is a great place to spend the day, whether going with friends or family, and it’s an excellent way to get out there and enjoy the fall!
See More: Your Guide to Pumpkin + Apple Picking in North Jersey
Have you been to Alstede Farms? Share your experience with us below!
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City of Hoboken Warns Residents of Falling Rocks on Sinatra Drive
The City of Hoboken's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) warned residents about potential falling rocks on Sinatra Drive in the afternoon of Monday, February 3rd, 2025.
Per an X post, the OEM is investigating reports of falling rocks near the area of 9th Street + Sinatra Drive. Residents are encouraged to avoid the western sidewalk from approximately 8th Street to 9th Street along Sinatra Drive, which is temporarily closed at this time.
The Office of Emergency Management is investigating reports of falling rocks near the area of 9th Street & Sinatra Drive. Residents are encouraged to avoid the western sidewalk from approximately 8th Street to 9th Street along Sinatra Drive, which will be temporarily closed.
— Hoboken OEM (@HobokenOEM) February 3, 2025
Barriers are currently up on the Uptown bound side (per the photo above).
Marci Rubin, Hoboken's Senior Public Information Assistant, shared the following update with HG:
"The Office of Emergency Management responded to reports of falling rocks along Castle Point on Sinatra Drive near Ninth Street yesterday. Out of an abundance of caution OEM has temporarily closed about 40-50 feet of the western sidewalk along the cliff to allow for Steven's Institute of Technology, who owns the property, to have engineers inspect the cliffside and implement any necessary measures. The City and OEM encourage pedestrians to cross safely at the existing crosswalks ahead of, and on each side of, the closure."
Stay updated with any further Office of Emergency Management alerts on the website and X.
This is a developing story. This post will be updated with any further details.
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