Apple picking was high on my bucket list of things to see/do before moving away from the Northeast! While I always grew up with a lot of fruit trees at home, apples were always something to be purchased at the store, probably waxed and colored in a factory, and ripened on the shelf of our local Albertsons (although we don’t even have Albertsons anymore– who remembers those??)

As per usual, I looked into a lot of details when planning for this fun daytrip.

Here are some helpful logistic tips:

When should I go apple picking?

Apple season in NJ runs from late August to around Halloween, with a peak from mid-September to mid-October. Obviously peak ripening periods occur at different times throughout this general season depending on the apple variety and the weather, so check out the website of your chosen apple farm to plan your visit!

Too early in the season will be uncomfortably hot, but too late in the season will result in the disappointment only experienced after running up to your favorite trees and seeing them already picked clean.

 

Which farm should I go to for apple picking?

We live in north NJ close to Manhattan, so we were looking for a farm within about 90 min drive from this area.

After that– things to look for are the variety of apples available and other activities available at each farm. Larger and more family-fun-oriented farms have things like corn cannons, pumpkin slingshots, and corn mazes. Most places will have apple cider donuts and hay tractor rides.

The most promising apple farms in northern New Jersey that made our short list are as follows. Please note that these details were found on the respective apple farms’ websites as of Fall 2021.

– Donaldson Farms has pick-your-own apples, pumpkins, a corn maze, hay ride, and a corn cannon.

– Battleview Orchards has pick-your-own apples, pumpkins, and a hayride only.

– Melick’s Town Farm has pick-your-own apples, tractor rides, and a house-made hard cider tent… ‘nuff said!

– Wightman Farms has pick-your-own apples, a giant corn maze, hay rides, and a pumpkin slingshot.

– VonThun Farms has pick-your-own apples, pumpkins, a corn maze, and hayrides.

 

Melick’s Town Farm New Jersey Apple Picking

We ultimately chose to visit Melick’s Town Farm, primarily because they have freshly brewed hard apple cider made at their on-premises cidery! They also had a wider variety of apples for picking than a few other farms.

 

Which Melick’s Town Farm location is best?

Melick’s Town Farm has two locations that offer Pick-Your-Own apples in the Fall: the Cider Mill & Orchard at 19 King Street in Oldwick, and the Califon Orchards at 472 County Road in Califon.

You have to purchase tickets (either online or at the door) for either location individually. Tickets cost $5 for entry fee, not inclusive of any apples you pick and purchase. Make sure you choose your location wisely, or just go to both like we did (by mistake). We initially purchased tickets for the Califon location but obviously wanted to go to the Oldwick location, which is the one that has the apple cidery where you can drink fresh hard cider by the (plastic) glass. The Melick’s Town Farm Oldwick location also has food available for consumption at their onsite picnic area: corn on the cob, hot dogs, and fresh kettle corn. Keep in mind that the picnic tables are unsheltered (and the food is just alright, but let’s be honest- we were there for the cider and cider donuts anyway). The Califon location has canned cider for take-home purchase and things like farmers market produce and cider donuts for sale, but no cidergarden and no hot food for on-site snacking.

One caveat: while the Oldwick location has the cider garden, the Califon location has a much wider variety of apples to pick. I’m actually glad we accidentally purchased tickets to the Califon location and picked our share of apples there before moving on the Oldwick location to get our hard cider game on.

 

How much does apple picking cost?

As mentioned above, either location of Melick’s Town Farm in New Jersey charges a $5 entry fee per adult. Tickets purchased online are timed but they did not enforce any semblance of punctuality and it seemed like you could arrive at any time. U-pick apples cost $1.99/lb for <10lb, and $1.59/lb for 10+ lb.

 

Can you eat the apples while apple picking?

Technically, no. You are supposed to pick first, then pay for your harvest, and then eat afterward. however we saw a lot of families munching away and some even brought peelers/knives in preparation for their sampling.

What even is apple cider?

Some may consider this a stupid question, but it’s something I needed to Google to confirm so here it is: apple cider is simply the liquid that comes from pressed apples. Apple cider is generally more brown, more opaque, and more richly apple-y and tangy in flavor compared to apple juice. Apple juice is made from filtered (and usually sweetened) apple cider.

Alcoholic apple cider is fermented, and obviously alcoholic, apple cider. It can be made from either culinary apples (the ones eaten raw or in baked goods) or cider apples (also known as crabapples which have higher tannins, acidity, and sweetness).

What should I bring for apple picking?

You will be outdoors in the sun and in grassy fields. I’d wear leggings if you prefer to avoid the itchy grassy sensations on your calves, but I wore shorts due to the warm weather. Also bring lots of sunscreen, water, and consider some bug spray.

 

Apple farm fresh hard apple cider — How was it?

It was delicious. The hard apple cider was crisp and clean, not too sweet, and everything you want in a cider. The cider was refreshing but buzzy, and tasted genuinely like the apples on the tree. Melick’s had a variety of hard ciders including their original semi-dry cider, a tart cherry apple cider, a hopped cider, and a citrus shandy apple cider. They had cans and bottles of cider to take home, as well as apple wine.

 

Do apple picking farms have food?

Melick’s Oldwick location did have food, but it was subpar.  I was excited for their roasted corn station, but it was basically just boiled corn on the cob. Flavor options included salt and pepper (but they don’t butter the corn at all so nothing sticks to the kernels and it’s just plain corn) or a drizzle of chipotle lime mayo (which was alright but not great). The star of the food show at Melick’s was the apple cider donut. Apple cider donuts came either plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or coated with cinnamon sugar. The donuts were marvelously moist and apple-y, and not too sweet. You can only buy the donuts by the 6-pack, but it’s worth it for the taste and freshness. Make sure you go get a pack of donuts early on during your apple picking day as they ran out in mid-afternoon on the Sunday we visited!

I hope we can continue these Fall traditions! Have you been apple picking?