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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

The Great Pumpkin Festival In New Jersey Is A Classic Fall Tradition

The Great Pumpkin Festival at Heaven Hill Farm in Vernon, New Jersey offers over 40 fall-themed activities for all ages.

Published Oct 13, 2021

Written by 

Rebecca

The days are getting colder, the leaves are changing color, and a sense of spookiness abounds. It's fall time! And with a new season comes new traditions and activities. In New Jersey, one of the best traditions is visiting the Great Pumpkin Festival in Vernon, New Jersey. Exploring this farm and its myriad seasonal activities is a delightful way to spend a weekend.

Heaven Hill Farm has fun activities for people of all ages throughout the year, but fall might be our favorite season there.

A rustic wooden building surrounded by colorful flowers and plants in a sunny outdoor garden setting.
Heaven Hill Farm & Garden Center/Facebook

That's because the farm, located in Vernon, New Jersey becomes a seasonal paradise.

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The Great Pumpkin Festival is held then, and it's exactly what it sounds like: an activity-filled fall festival.

A variety of pumpkins and gourds in different shapes and sizes, featuring vibrant orange and green colors.
Heaven Hill Farm & Garden Center/Facebook

The festival runs on weekends from Saturday, September 11 to Sunday, November 7.

There are over 40 activities available at this fun event. There is a 10-acre corn maze with a wacky theme.

A tractor pulls a hayride trailer filled with people enjoying a sunny day on a grassy field.
Heaven Hill Farm & Garden Center/Facebook

There are hay rides, gem mining, games, an arcade ...

... And of course, there is a pumpkin patch. Explore the patch and load up on pumpkins!

A pumpkin patch with ripe pumpkins in the foreground and people picking pumpkins against a colorful autumn landscape.
Heaven Hill Farm & Garden Center/Facebook

When you get home, you can get to work carving the perfect jack-o-lantern.

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There are also plenty of farm animals to interact with, and even a pig race.

A stack of five painted pumpkins with smiling faces, surrounded by various pumpkins and colorful flowers in a farm setting.
Heaven Hill Farm & Garden Center/Facebook

It's impossible to be bored here.

Oh, and don't worry about eating lunch beforehand.

Two red wheelbarrows sit in a green field with colorful signs and a pumpkin in the foreground under a clear blue sky.
Heaven Hill Farm & Garden Center/Facebook

There are multiple food stands at The Great Pumpkin Festival, including one devoted to the most fall of all treats: apple cider doughnuts.

Another benefit? The Great Pumpkin Festival is very affordable. It's just $19.99 per ticket on the weekends! You can also visit Heaven Hill Farm during the week for just $14.99, although the events are more limited.

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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

The Audubon Center in New Jersey Where You’ll See Dozens of Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

Bird-watching in Cape May is a great adventure, and the charming shore town has an Audubon Center and a trail to enjoy.

Published Oct 12, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

Cape May is one of the most beautiful towns in New Jersey, and this stunning shore destination is also one of the state's best hubs for bird-watching. Migrating birds come through the shore regularly, and its unique marshy ecosystem makes it an ideal spot for native birds to live and nest. For those who love these delicate creatures, there are plenty of opportunities for bird-watching in Cape May, and many center around the town's Audubon Center. The Cape May Bird Observatory, Northwood Center, is one of the hubs of nature in town, and it's next to the beautiful Higbee Beach and one of the best trails in town, the South Cape May Meadows. Join us for a look into the ideal spot for your next bird-watching adventure.

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A small bird with a gray head, yellow chest, and white underparts perched on a branch against a blurred green background.
Taxon name: Northern Parula
Taxon scientific name: Setophaga americana
Location: Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Florida, USA

The Cape May Bird Observatory offers a unique opportunity to see dozens of birds, depending on the season. The area features beaches and observation platforms, but our favorite way to explore is to wander onto a nearby trail.

A flock of birds takes flight over a wetland, with a lighthouse visible in the background among lush greenery.
Doug Reese/AllTrails

The South Cape May Meadows Trail is a roughly one-mile loop trail, rated easy by AllTrails. This is a very popular birding trail, with a well-maintained path. You will have to leave the dogs at home. A bird haven isn't the best spot for them.

A wooden observation deck with a slatted roof, overlooking a natural landscape, featuring informational signs on the walls.
Donald Harrison/AllTrails

Along the way, you'll encounter several observation spots offering you shelter, along with diagrams to make it easy to identify the most impressive birds you see.

A scenic view of a wetland with a calm river, surrounded by tall grasses and trees under a clear blue sky.
Eric Bono/AllTrails

Some of these platforms offer an incredible vantage point of the area, allowing you to see the birds as they take off. The trail is usually pretty busy, but it's worth it for this rare view of nature in action.

A soaring eagle with outstretched wings against a clear blue sky.
Golden Eagle adult in flight taken in SE MN

The diversity of bird species here is truly stunning, so keep your eyes on the sky. This entire area is heaven for those looking for a rare sighting. When you're done on the trail, head back to the Northwood Center if it's open to find out the activities of the day.

Have you gone bird-watching in Cape May? Let us know your favorite spots and activities in the comments section! You can find out more on the website of the Cape May Bird Observatory, and check out the AllTrails trail listing for more pictures of this trail. We think Cape May is a wonderful town in New Jersey to visit, whether you're solo or with a group, and we highly recommend a stay at Elaine's Cape May, one of the most unique hotels in New Jersey.

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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

Experience The Ideal New Jersey Fall Day When You Go Apple Picking At Eastmont Orchards

Eastmont Orchards in Colts Neck, New Jersey, offers a family-friendly apple-picking experience with no entrance fee.

Updated Aug 7, 2024

Written by 

Rebecca

Is there a better season than fall in New Jersey? The weather is crisp, the leaves are colorful, and fun, family-friendly activities abound! One of our favorite ways to spend a fall day in New Jersey is by visiting an apple orchard. You get to experience nature, take beautiful photos, and walk away with delicious treats at the end. We've found a great orchard to do just that in the state - people of all ages will enjoy the best apple-picking experience at Eastmont Orchards in New Jersey.

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Eastmont Orchards is one of the best places to go apple picking in New Jersey.

Colorful hay bales form a sign for Eastmont Orchards, surrounded by autumn trees and a clear blue sky.
Eastmont Orchards/Facebook

Located in Colts Neck, the orchard was originally built in 1911. It's been owned by the same family since 1923.

A dirt path lined with apple trees under a cloudy sky, leading into the distance.
Eastmont Orchards/Facebook

The orchard is filled with apple trees, and you bring home whatever you pick.

A fruit orchard with fallen apples scattered on the ground beneath the trees.
Eastmont Orchards/Facebook

Apples are priced by the pound, and you aren't allowed to put the apples back -- so be conscious of how much you pick!

These apples are so fresh and delicious, you'll want to pick pounds of them. There are nearly two dozen varieties to choose from so you can find your favorite!

Close-up of green apples hanging from a tree branch against a blue sky.
Eastmont Orchards/Facebook

You'll have delicious apple-based meals for weeks after visiting Eastmont Orchards.

You can schedule a photography tour or a class trip here, too.

A sunny orchard with apple trees, featuring signs for "Red Delicious" and "Granny Smith" varieties.
Eastmont Orchards/Facebook

It's definitely a spot to take great photos.

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People of all ages will enjoy finding the perfect apple here.

Sign reading "Golden Delicious" in an apple orchard with green apples on trees.
Eastmont Orchards/Facebook

And don't worry! Workers at the orchard teach you how to properly pick an apple.

Apple picking season starts in September, but you can pick peaches here during the summer months.

Close-up of red apples hanging from a tree branch, surrounded by green leaves in bright sunlight.
Eastmont Orchards/Facebook

From June to October, you can select the perfect peach!

Eastmont Orchards also has pumpkins and beautiful flowers on the property.

A vibrant field of orange and red flowers under a clear blue sky, with greenery in the background.
Eastmont Orchards/Facebook

It's a nice place to spend a fall day!

Whether you're planning to make some delicious apple pies, press your own cider, or just enjoy some good eating, the Eastmont Orchards reviews are in - this quaint spot has some of the best apple picking in New Jersey! And while you do pay for the fruit you take home, there is no entrance fee for visiting. This delicious orchard isn't just fun and fall-appropriate, it's affordable, too! Be sure to keep an eye on their Facebook page for any weather-related closures.

Have you ever checked out Eastmont on a recent fall apple-picking outing in New Jersey? Are there any other you-pick farms that your family loves to frequent throughout the year?

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We think heading to a local orchard is the perfect way to end a fall day! That's why we've rounded up a few beautiful, must-see spots to enjoy fall in New Jersey as a part of your adventures. You'll also want to make the most of your autumn outings with a gorgeous, luxurious weekend experience as well, so how does a fresh and airy beach cottage sound?

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-jersey/most-beautiful-fall-destinations-nj/

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