If there’s one thing we love about the fall, it’s pumpkin everything—including pumpkin picking in Staten Island and in nearby New Jersey. Your family can spend a day at Decker Farm’s Staten Island Pumpkin Patch—or take a day trip out to Alstede Farms, Happy Day Farm, or Von Thun’s Country Farm Market—to pick the perfect pumpkin and enjoy various fall activities. Plus, Halloween is right around the corner, so you’ll need to pick pumpkins soon to carve jack-o’-lanterns! Here’s a list of our favorite pumpkin patches and farms for pumpkin picking in Staten Island, as well as locations for pumpkin picking in NJ. Just be sure to call or visit the farms’ websites before heading out to confirm pumpkin availability.
Pumpkin Picking in Staten Island
1. Decker Farm
435 Richmond Hill Road
718-351-1611
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Hours: Oct. 1-30, Saturday-Sunday (plus Monday, Oct. 10), 11am-5pm
Admission: Check the website for information.
This pumpkin patch features pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. Complete with photo-ops and fall decorations, you’re sure to experience a picture-perfect moment as you decide which pumpkin to take home.
Why we love it: There are lots of delicious fall food favorites to enjoy!
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2. Greenside Up Garden Center
2777 Arthur Kill Rd.
718-967-5039
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Hours: Oct. 1-31; Monday-Friday, 12-6pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm
Admission: Free
Head to this local garden center to pick your perfect pumpkin throughout the entire month of October. The patch has pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. Enjoy a variety of kids’ activities, including a corn maze, pumpkin painting, games and lots more.
Why we love it: After picking out your pumpkin(s), you can browse the shop for all your garden and fall decoration needs.
Pumpkin Picking in NJ
1. Alstede Farms
1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester Township
908-879-7189
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Approximate drive from Staten Island: 1 hour
Hours: daily, 9am-6pm (last admission to pick-your-own is 4:30pm). Pumpkins anticipated to be available in October. Check the website for updates.
Admission: $21.99, weekdays; $26.99, weekends and holidays. A credit toward a pumpkin is included in the admission price. (You can purchase tickets at the farm, but it’s cheaper to get them online.)
Alstede Farms offers orange and white pumpkins, munchkins, gourds, and assorted winter squash—all available in u-pick! Wagon train and pony rides are also part of the fun (for an extra fee). Plus, you can visit with and feed some of the farm’s animals.
Why we love it: Tractor wagon rides, corn maze, hay pyramid, evergreen and sunflower mazes are on-site and included with pick-your-own admission.
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2. Battleview Orchards
91 Wemrock Road, Freehold
732-462-0756
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Approximate drive from Staten Island: 1 hour
Hours: Picking hours vary with the season and availability. Call or check the Facebook page for updates.
Admission: No entrance fee. Cash only for purchasing pick-your-own produce. Senior citizens receive a 10-percent discount on Mondays and Thursdays.
Battleview Orchards offers a variety of pick-your-own fall favorites, including pumpkins and apples.
Why we love it: Hayrides are available in the fall, weekends only, starting Sept. 24.
3. Giamarese Farm
155 Fresh Ponds Road, East Brunswick
732-821-9494
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Approximate drive from Staten Island: 1 hour
Hours: Pumpkins are expected to be available in September and October. Check the website or call for updates.
Admission: Call for information.
Go on a hayride tour, pick pumpkins and browse the farm market for more pumpkins, gourds, decorations and more. Pony rides available for an extra fee on weekends in October.
Why we love it: Other crops available through December include mustard and turnip, plus apple picking is available through early October.
4. Happy Day Farm
106 Iron Ore Rd., Manalapan
732-977-3607
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Approximate drive from Staten Island: 1 hour
Hours: Sept. 10-Oct. 30; 10am-5pm. Not open on weekdays in September. The farm is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday in October.
Admission: $21, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday; $24, Friday-Sunday. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Weekend admission includes a variety of family activities, including an animal feeding zoo, corn maze, tractor rides, and a variety of games.
Why we love it: The corn maze is impressive. This year, it the maze design celebrates the farm’s 10-year anniversary.
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5. Norz Hill Farm & Market
120 S. Branch Road, Hillsborough
908-371-2697
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Approximate drive from Staten Island: 1 hour
Hours: Sept. 10-Oct. 31; Call for hours.
Admission: $15 Saturday-Sunday; $12 Monday-Friday. Price does not include pumpkins and gourds.
Enjoy a corn maze, hayride to visit the resident animals and find your perfect pumpkin.
Why we love it: There’s a kid’s corner featuring a Bale Maze, Corn Boxes to play in, and more.
6. Ort Farms
25 Bartley Road, Long Valley
908-876-3351
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Approximate drive from Staten Island: 1 hour
Hours: Pumpkins available Sept. 18-Nov. 6. Call for hours.
Admission: Check the website for information.
Choose from a variety of pumpkins. A hayride brings you to the patch, or you can walk. Weekend activities include an apple cannon, pony rides and more, available for additional fees.
Why we love it: Admission includes access to a hayride and corn maze.
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7. Stony Hill Farm Market
15 North Rd., Chester
908-879-2908
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Approximate drive from Staten Island: 1 hour
Hours: Daily, 10am-5pm. Pumpkins anticipated to be available late September.
Admission: $7.99 online; $10.99 in person. Price does not include pumpkins.
Pumpkins available in all sizes. Other activities to enjoy include hayrides on weekends, a giant corn maze (and a mini one!), a playground and more.
Why we love it: You can buy the farm’s homemade ice cream by the scoop or pint to take home.
8. Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton
609-924-2310
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Approximate drive from Staten Island: 1 hour
Hours: Daily, 9am-6pm. Pumpkins will be available September 17.
Admission: Required on weekends Sept. 17-Oct. 30.
Pumpkin picking available during the week, and also during the farm’s fall family weekends, which run Sept. 17-Oct. 30, 10am-5pm. Meet barnyard animals, go through corn mazes, enjoy pony rides, children’s games and activities, live music and pumpkin painting.
Why we love it: Although there is an admission fee on weekends, there is so much to do on-site after you pick your favorite pumpkins.
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9. Von Thun’s Country Farm Market
438 Route 57 West, Washington
505 Ridge Rd., Dayton, NJ
732-329-8656
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Approximate drive from Staten Island: 45 minutes
Hours: Sept. 17-Oct. 30; 10am-5pm.
Admission: Fall Festival Weekends: $17.99 at the Dayton location; $16.99 at the Washington location; free for ages 2 and younger. Weekdays: $3 to visit the pumpkin patch; pumpkins are $0.69 per pound.
Fall Festival Weekend admission includes access to the corn maze, unlimited hayrides to the pumpkin patch and many other family-friendly activities.
Why we love it: During the week, there’s an easy “walk-to” patch that is decorated with jack-o’-lanterns and fun, whimsical wooden cartoon characters, while the “main patch” is available on weekends and offers lots of family activities with the price of admission.
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