During apple picking season, it feels like the state of New Jersey is suddenly overrun with…read moreyou-pick orchards. After researching several options with a mind toward reasonable entrance fees and fair prices per unit, Melick's was where we landed. At $5.99 per person for weekend pricing (which includes a free hayride to the furthest points of the orchard) at peak picking season, I felt it was worth the longer drive to get there. I also loved that they issued free plastic picking bags without the added cost, as many orchards are now wont to do. In late September, there were plenty of apples ripe for the picking, with clear signage to denote which types were ripe. Honeycrisp apples were a little more per pound, but once I tasted a few, it was clear why. True to its name, I've never bit into a more juicier or crunchier apple, and I've been spoiled for supermarket apples for good. Most folks seem to come for the apples, but I saw a fair number of people coming down from the fields with armloads of giant sunflowers. Of course, there's always the store at the front, with other farm-fresh produce, cider (both alcoholic and non), and baked goodies. The alcoholic apple cider was refreshing, with a light buzz that made time in the orchard just a little happier. No bags or backpacks are allowed in the orchard area, but there's a small picnic area with some tables and porta-potties at the very front. Our family came prepared with picnic blankets, and the folks here were totally fine with us setting up by the goats (who are fenced in, so there's no direct interaction but the children in our group had great fun watching them while we ate). Melick may not have all the frills and fancy fun of other orchards, but I was delighted by a few perks, like a small tire play area and a decently sized corn maze that was fun to walk through with the family. The parking lot doesn't seem all that large, but when we went, it never seemed to get so busy that it was impossible to find a spot.

Melick's Town Farm - Califon Orchards was such a nice experience overall! When I first called, the…read morelady on the phone kept saying "Califon," and I honestly had never even heard of that town before, so I kept asking her to repeat it -- she got frustrated and hung up, which wasn't the best start. But once I actually went in person, everyone there was super friendly and welcoming! The apples were fantastic -- fresh, juicy, and reasonably priced. They even have sunflower picking, which was really cute (a little scary with all the bees, but manageable!). Definitely worth visiting once the season starts -- just maybe skip calling ahead

I have been picking at Bonacorsi Family Farm for many years now. They are hands-down the…read morefriendliest, most knowledgable, and caring family of farmers in the entire county. Their apples, peaches, strawberries, and blueberries are THE BEST I have ever eaten. The flavors are incredible, the fruit lasts long when stored right, and you'll never want to go back to the supermarket! Every time I bring their fruit (or bake something with their fruit) to a party, it is always the highlight of the dessert table! Picking here is always so much fun & has the tastiest fruit as reward; I never do U-Pick anywhere else!! Always check their facebook for all their latest updates -- checking ahead has never led me astray! TLDR: No better strawberries, apples, peaches, and more in the entire county!!

The asparagus that I recently bought was the best I've ever had !! I returned for another bunch…read moreand will be back for more !!

Hunterdon Land Trust Farmer's Market is a small farmer's market located on Dvoor Farm in Raritan…read moreTownship. The market provides shoppers with the opportunity to browse locally grown produce, plants, honey, breads, soap, cheese, baked goods, and crafts (hand-knitted items from alpaca wool and beautifully hand made wood desks, bird houses, etc.) They feature live music and a variety of seminars each week, so check the rotating schedule on the market's website: http://hunterdonlandtrust.org/farmers-market/ I visited this farmer's market primarily to buy plants from the Toadshade Farm kiosk, which did not disappoint. There is an emphasis on locally grown plants and the man who sold them to me took time and care to explain each plant to me - where it should go in the garden, the care required, how it was cultivated, etc. Many of the food vendors also had samples to try. The cheese vendors were wonderful. The breads were also VERY creative (duck fat focaccia... sign me up!) Although some vendors took credit cards, others were cash/check only so I would recommend that you bring some cash with you and smaller bills. For those of us who are in northern NJ, it is an easier ride now that the summer is over. It is also a pretty ride and worth supporting our local growers.

Overall excellent vendors . A little more variety of local farmers would be great . Very happy with…read morethe offerings particularly vegetables . There is also a excellent knife sharpener here that brought back all my dull knives !

Well, we got here as our toddler son has never had a farm or an experience of being around farm…read moreanimals. It's a perfect scheme of buying something that they grow or make at their farm to feed their own animals - funny but an interesting type of giving people a fun experience at their own cost, while helping the business. We might not have thoroughly enjoyed the experience as the animals were all beyond the fence and nothing as a petting experience as to what they advertise. The animals and birds mostly looked well fed and the facility looks well maintained. The parking space is ample.

This farm is awesome! Came for the strawberry festival…read more The petting zoo here is amazing! They had so many animals, and adorable baby animals. The staff was very friendly. We had a really great time here. I would definitely go back and absolutely recommend this place to my friends and family!! They also had food trucks, a little market, chocolate covered strawberry cups, and more I'm sure. We got fresh lemonade & a pizza from two of the trucks (both were very good).

The produce here is amazing during the summer season. Heirloom tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes,…read morepeaches, apples, string beans, potatoes, basil, zucchini...And of course, the best hard apple cider in the USA. Service is always friendly and the market is clean.

Waste of money.. people were friendly and helpful. I bought1 dz corn and an apple pie ( that is not…read moremade there, just baked) . The corn had way too many bad spots and the apple pie , which looked nice ,tasted horrible. I took pics of the corn and the pie. I don't hold the bad tasting pie against them because after all it's made somewhere else, but the corn ? They have a sign that says not to open corn so how can it be checked ? Anyway I do not recommend the corn or pie. They have beautiful flowers. This is my personal opinion based on my experience ..

Great, real country fresh farm stand. Great prices too...firget the supermarket. The reason NJ is…read morethe Garden State.

This is a secondary location to their larger farm stand and garden center in Glen Gardner on rt 31…read more Their produce and prices are the best in the area. As soon as spring comes around, I'm always so excited for them to open back up and start getting flowers and local Jersey produce. During the fall they'll do apples, pumpkins, hay bales, etc. They also do Christmas trees and then close for the season after that.

This updated review is for the over the top kind and gracious service that I received after losing…read moremy key FOB at a recent haunted experience outing. I did not think that they would put in the effort to help me gain it back, but they most certainly did! Not only were the attendants so friendly when I went to report it, but they are super thorough. Gave them all of info and later on that day I receive a text that they found it! Wow! That alone was worth 5 stars... But, also, we really enjoyed our night out. We were able to walk right into the experience, which was a joy in and of itself. And it seemed like we were there forever, not a bad thing. You can tell a lot of effort goes into the scare. Is it the scariest? No. But, it is a good, spooky time. I love that they have food trucks on site (but bring cash!) My daughter loved her roasted corn. Will return!

A family fun experience for a farm especially during summer and fall for their hayride, corn maze,…read morepumpkin patch(which has rides only on thur, sat & sun) they also sell varities of vegetables and farm animals also on site. I see there are some food vendors on site but they are probably open on weekends. Porta potty observed. Corn hole seen. See images and videos below for reference.

A lot of apples and I love going here for family tradition. One of the things I noticed this year…read morewas one of the employees were incredibly rude. We waited for 10 minutes just to be let in, and she didn't even smile once when we tried to make small talk. I believe she was being racist, she would be very smiley with people her race but as soon as an asian walked up she would seem uncomfortable, and she said it was her first year here. Other employees were very nice though, and they don't have a bathroom.

Great spot for a wide variety of apples and a few hours of fall activities. The entrance fee is…read morereasonable and includes plastic bags and a tractor ride to different spots of the orchard. The staff was friendly. There's a map in the front so I recommend taking a pic of it before you head out. The rows are labeled to identify type. The location we visited offered hard cider, some baked and canned goods, pumpkins, corn, hotdogs, and popcorn. The hard cider was extremely fresh and tasty. I personally did not care for the donuts (was anticipating apple cider donuts, but these were more on the side of old fashioned). We also visited the larger market down the road for some additional treats.