A staple activity to do during the Fall time with your family is pumpkin picking. Going out into the pumpkin patch and scoping out the area for the biggest and roundest pumpkin is something I also looked forward to doing before Halloween. Here are the Top 15 pumpkin patches in the Garden State.

Pro tip – if you love picking out the heaviest pumpkin you can find, bring a wagon with you so you don’t have to carry it all the way back to the car.

Argos Farm – Forked River

Argos Farm is a hidden gem located in Forked River. At the farm, you’ll find tons of fun from the corn maze, to Pumpkin Bounce Pad to Hayrides. Argos Farm has some of the the best pumpkin backdrops to help you capture memories that will last a lifetime. You also can pick your own pumpkin straight off the vine! You’ll find plenty of treats to try around the farm and a market full of goodies for you to explore before heading home. 1250 Lacey Rd, Forked River, 08731 https://www.argosfarm.com/

Atlantic Farms – Manasquan

Growing up, Atlantic Farms was always the place to go to pick out a pumpkin from their home grown patch. They also have plenty of pumpkins already picked if you’d prefer to pick one closer to their market. During the Fall when you visit the farm, take a hayride, get lost in a corn maze, stock up on mums, bring home some homemade baked goods, and of course a few pumpkins. 1506 Atlantic Ave, Manasquan, NJ 08736 https://www.atlanticfarmmarket.com/

Bullock Farms – Cream Ridge

Picking a pumpkin at Bullock Farms is tons of fun. Enjoy a 25-minute hayride through picturesque fields and farm roads on your way to the pumpkin field. During your ride, look out for friendly scarecrows, ghosts, and witches along the path. Hop off the wagon and pick-your-own pumpkins, gourds, and ornamental squash right from the field. Wagons will continue to drop off and pick up from the field all day, so spend as much time as you need to find your perfect harvest. Hop back on another wagon and return to the Pumpkin Market to complete your hayride journey. 83 Emleys Hl Rd, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514 https://www.bullockfarms.com/

Silverton Farms – Toms River

Silverton Farms in Toms River has been focused on preserving and nurturing locally grown produce for almost 25 years. During the Fall, give them a visit, hop on their hayride that takes you out to the pumpkin patch and pick our your favorite pumpkin. Pumpkins are also available in the market as well as tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, radishes, potatoes, eggplant and more! 1520 Silverton Rd, Toms River, NJ 08755 http://www.silvertonfarmsnj.com/

Red Wagon Farm -Manalapan Township

Join Red Wagon Farm in Manalapan for their annual Pumpkin Festival running up until October 29th. Come out to enjoy all of their annual favorites including a scenic wagon ride through the land of the scarecrows, 5 acre corn maze, fabulous food tent and more! Red Wagon Farm sells a wide variety of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes for just 45¢/lb. They also have All You Can Carry Pumpkins! Take home an armful of pumpkins for just $10/lift! See if you can beat the all time record and then take home your winnings. 437 NJ-33, Manalapan Township, NJ 07726 https://www.redwagonfarm.com/pumpkin-festival/

Sahl’s Father Son Farm – Egg Harbor City

Sahl’s Father Son Farm is locally growing pumpkins in Egg Harbor City. Be sure to visit during October for Corn Mazes, Hayrides, Farm Animal Viewing, Pig Race Show, Toy Duck Races, Ball Zones, Courtyard Games and of course pumpkin picking! General admission is $14/person. (Pumpkins and concession items are not activities and are not included with admissions). 420 W Pestalozzi Ave, Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215 https://www.fathersonfarm.com/

R and J Farm – Egg Harbor City

R and J Farm has something fun for people of all ages including a corn maze, hayrides to the pumpkin patch, jumping pad, and pumpkin stand. When you visit the farm, take a leisurely ride on one of their hay wagons. Once at the pumpkin patch, everyone is welcome to search the field looking for their perfect small sized pumpkin to bring home with them. The pumpkin is included in your hayride price.  No extra fees at the end of the hayrides for the cost of the pumpkin! 723 Herschel St, Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215 http://www.randjfarm.com/

Stone Tavern Orchards – Cream Ridge

Stone Tavern Orchards is ready for you to pick your own apples, pumpkins and flowers this Fall! When you buy a ticket at the farm, take the hayride out to the orchards, pumpkin patch, flower patch, corn maze, and corn pit! Explore to your heart’s content and pick the best pumpkin. Wagons are provided to haul your treasures, bushel baskets are provided for apple picking, and clippers are provided to pick flowers! 73 Rues Rd, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514 https://www.stonetavernorchards.com/fall-festivities-info

Happy Day Farm -Manalapan

Happy Day Farm‘s name definitely fits the vibe you feel when you arrive. The Fall Festival is tons of fun for families and on the weekends all of their attractions are open. This year they have over 35 activities from the minion corn maze, to Pumpkinville to tractor rides.  There is no admission fee to pumpkin pick (just pay for what you pick!) 106 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan, New Jersey 07726 https://www.happydayfarmnj.com/fallfestival

Allaire Community Farm’s Fall Festival – Wall Township

Enjoy the Fall Festival at Allaire Community Farm up until Late November! The Autumn Atmosphere covers the 25-acre Farm, with a pumpkin patch, Petting zoos, wagon rides, train rides, and a market full of autumn produce. They also have hay bales, mums, and cornstalks ready to grab for all your home fall decor needs! All proceeds support the farm’s mission to serve their rescued animals and target in-need populations, including special needs populations, At-Risk youth, and Veterans with PTSD. 1923 Bailey’s Corner Road, Wall Township, NJ 07719 https://allairecommunityfarm.org/

VonThun’s Country Farm Market – Monmouth Junction

VonThun Farms has two farm locations in South Brunswick (Middlesex County) and Washington (Warren County). Their Fall Festival has lots of fun activities and runs up until Halloween! Bring the whole family, check out the corn maze and take home a few pumpkins to carve and decorate before Halloween. 519 Ridge Rd., Monmouth Junction, NJ 08810 https://vonthunfarms.com/

Giamarese Farm & Orchard – East Brunswick

Giamarese Farm & Orchard is a local farm in East Brunswick that has tons of pumpkins for you to pick this Fall! Their Fall Festival has begun, so come on out and take a hayride that features a farm tour and 8 acre corn maze. They also have pony rides and a petting zoo for the little ones. In addition to Pick-Your-Own Pumpkins, there’s also mums, straw bales, corn stalks, gourds and other fall decorations are also available. 155 Fresh Ponds Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 http://www.giamaresefarm.com/

Battleview Orchards – Freehold

Battleview Orchards in Freehold has excellent Apple and Pumpkin crops this year. Gather up the whole family, put on your best Fall attire and head to the orchard to take some Autumn themed family photos by the apple trees. Once your apple bucket is filled, head towards the pumpkins and pick some of all sizes to bring home. 91 Wemrock Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728 https://www.battlevieworchards.com/

Maple Leaf Farms – Manalapan

The Fall Fun Fest has begun at Maple Leaf Farms! Put on some comfortable shoes and head to the farm for over 20 fun activities like pumpkin bowling, Candy Corn Toss, Corn Maze, Hayride and more! Every Saturday and Sunday until October 29th, come pick a pumpkin and stay for the Live Bull Riding, Country Music, Pig Races, and more! 525 Route 9 South, Manalapan, NJ 07726 https://www.mapleleaffarmnj.com/

Coombs Barnyard – Elmer

The Barnyard Bash at Coombs Barnyard is the place to be on Sundays this October. This year’s Barnyard Bash will be open house style with hayrides, pumpkin picking, barrel train rides, barnyard animal antics and a huge corn maze! If you visit the farm on a Friday or Saturday night, check out the Flashlight corn maze. Food and pumpkins will be avaialble to purchase at the event. 20 NJ-77, Elmer, NJ 08318 https://www.coombsbarnyard.com/