Your Ultimate Guide to Fall Fun at New Jersey’s Pumpkin Patches

Your Ultimate Guide to Fall Fun at New Jersey’s Pumpkin Patches and Orchards

Fall in New Jersey is a season to savor—pumpkins, apples, hayrides, and family memories await at every corner. Which farm will you visit first?.

Battleview Orchards, Freehold

Dolores Harvey - stock.adobe.com

Battleview Orchards 

Battleview Orchards isn’t just a place to pick your own fruit—it’s a New Jersey tradition. From juicy peaches and crisp apples to pumpkins in every shape and size, it’s the kind of spot that makes fall feel complete. Families love the hayrides and country store, and the bakery? Let’s just say one slice is never enough.

Fun fact: Battleview holds the honor of being the oldest pick-your-own orchard in New Jersey!

Of course, pumpkin patches are sprinkled all across the state—do you have a favorite? Share this with your fellow fall lovers and start planning your perfect autumn adventure. 🍂🎃

Melick's Town Farm, Oldwick

 

There’s so much to enjoy at Melick’s Town Farm—New Jersey’s largest apple orchard and a favorite fall tradition. Along with apple picking, you can also wander the pumpkin fields for that perfect pick. 🍎🎃

With two locations—Califon Orchards and the Oldwick Cider Mill—it’s easy to plan a visit. Just be sure to reserve ahead, especially on busy fall weekends. And whatever you do, don’t leave without cider and fresh donuts—they’re the kind of treats that make autumn unforgettable. 🍂

Johnson's Locust Hall Farm, Jobstown

Johnson's Locust Hall Farm is more than just a pumpkin patch—it’s a step back in time. This preserved 17th-century farm has become one of New Jersey’s favorite fall destinations, blending history with family fun.

Pick your own apples, pumpkins, and even veggies like broccoli, kale, and corn. Then stay for the hayrides, go-karting, corn maze, and visits with the farm animals. 🍎🎃🌽

Tip: Grab a day pass for access to pumpkin picking and all the seasonal activities—it’s the best way to soak in everything Locust Hall has to offer.

Lee Turkey Farm, East Windsor

 Endless autumn adventures are waiting at Lee Turkey Farm! While this seven-generation farm is best known for raising turkeys, this year it’s all about the farm market, U-pick flowers and vegetables, and a can’t-miss corn maze. 🌻🌽

It’s the kind of place where you’ll stock up on fresh produce and make memories worth keeping. Add it to your fall bucket list—you and your crew won’t want to miss it! 🍂

Demarest Farms, Hillsdale

At Demarest Farms, fall fun comes with a creative twist—you can pick and paint your own pumpkins! 🎃 Along with apples and fresh vegetables, the farm also offers a petting zoo, market, and a family-friendly play area open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The star of the season, though, is pumpkin picking—available every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout September and October. Just don’t forget to reserve your spot in advance—this is one tradition you won’t want to miss! 🍎🍂

Alstede Farms, Chester

Fall is in full swing at Alstede Farms, and the pumpkin choices are endless. Whether you’re picking your own from the fields or shopping the farmer’s market, you’ll find orange and white pumpkins, munchkins, gourds, and winter squash—everything you need for the perfect autumn display. 🎃🍂

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Visitors can also pick seasonal fruits and fresh flowers, making it a true all-in-one fall outing. And if you’re looking for something extra special, don’t miss Harvest Moon Nights every Friday and Saturday evening in October—an unforgettable way to celebrate the season under the stars. 🌙✨

SurFeRGiRL30 via Flickr

Heaven Hill Farms, Vernon

Heaven Hill Farm is home to the Great Pumpkin Festival, one of New Jersey’s biggest fall celebrations. From pumpkin picking and hayrides to pig races, farm animals, and weekend carnival rides, there’s no shortage of family fun. 🎡🎃🐷

This year’s corn maze theme—Alice in Wonderland—adds a whimsical twist that’s sure to delight kids and adults alike. ✨

Mark your calendar: the festival runs September 13 through November 2, 2025. With so much to see and do, it’s the kind of fall tradition you’ll want to experience year after year. 🍂

Coombs Barnyard, Elmer

Every fall, Coombs Barnyard comes alive with its annual October Barnyard Bash—a family favorite filled with hayrides, pumpkin picking and painting, farm animals, barrel train rides, games, and plenty more. It’s the perfect mix of rustic charm and modern fall fun. 🎃🐑🚜

This year’s Bash takes place on October 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Mark your calendar!

And if you’re craving a little spookier adventure, don’t miss the Flashlight Corn Maze, running from September 26 through October 25. Bring a flashlight and your sense of adventure—you’ll need both! 🌽🔦👻

Experience the events at Coombs Barnyard one of many

 

Flashlight Corn Maze 

Sept 26 to October 25 

2025

Experience the thrill of our Flashlight Corn Maze at Coombs Barnyard! As night falls, grab your flashlight and navigate through our intricate maze, designed to challenge and delight guests of all ages. It’s a unique adventure that promises laughter, teamwork, and unforgettable memories with friends and family.  Whether you’re searching for the exit or simply enjoying the ambiance, our flashlight corn maze offers a perfect blend of fun and excitement. Join us this season and make your night an adventure to remember!

Every Friday and Saturday Night from Sept. 26 - Oct 25
MAZE opens at 6:30 pm! Last entrance to the maze will be 8:30 pm. Please be sure to bring a FLASHLIGHT!  Cost is $10 per person. Food and Pumpkins will be available for sale at the event. Maze will take 30-45 minutes to complete. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door! Cash and Credit Card Accepted. 

Purchase Corn Maze Tickets Here!

Carve for a Cause

October 
10, 11 & 12

This year we are hosting our 2nd Annual PUMPKIN Carve for A Cause! All proceeds from this year’s event will once again be given to Corgi Run Farms in Pilesgrove, NJ. Their mission is to provide care and housing for handicapped and special needs farm animals.
We will have over 60 carved pumpkins on display for your viewing pleasure. The entrance fee to the carving barn will be donation based. This event will run in conjunction with our Flashlight Corn Maze. Cost to enter the maze is $10/person. We thank you for your support!!

Barnyard Bash 2025

This year's Barnyard Bash will be an open house style! Come to the Barnyard on Sunday October 5, 12, 19, or 26 between the hours of 1pm-4 pm for a hayride, pumpkin picking, barrel train rides, visit with our Barnyard Animals and our 2025 CORN MAZE!! It will take about 2 hours to complete all the activities. Cost is $20/child and includes the hayride, corn maze, animal visits, pumpkin, decorating kit and barrel train rides. Cost is $10/adult and includes wagon ride, animal visit and corn maze.  Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Cash and credit card accepted. Additional Pumpkins are available for purchase

Tractor Parade 2025

Nov 29th    10 am

Join us at 10 am on Sat. November 29th for a Winter Tractor Parade along with a special visit from Santa Clause! Stay at the farm and enjoy some snacks and crafts for kids and adults. Bring a chair and/or blanket to enjoy the parade! Admission fee is $10 per carload. We will also be collecting canned goods to donate locally. If you have a tractor and are interested in being part of the parade, please call or message Amanda at 609-364-2520.

📊 Mortgage rate story in a snapshot:

 📊 Why housing inventory was stuck—and what’s changing:

🔹 Pandemic drop = wave of mortgages under 3%
🔹 By 2022, 65% of loans were below 4% (85% under 5%)
🔹 That “lock-in effect” kept sellers off the market

⏳ Fast-forward to today: loans over 6% jumped from 7% in 2022 to almost 20% in 2025. The lock-in is slowly loosening.

Mortgage rates tell the story of why housing inventory has been so tight—and why that may finally be changing.

When rates dropped sharply in early 2020, a surge of homeowners locked in mortgages below 3%. Even before the pandemic, many loans were already under 4%. By the first quarter of 2022, 65% of all outstanding mortgages carried rates under 4%, and a remarkable 85% were below 5%.

That created a huge “lock-in effect.” Homeowners were reluctant to give up a 3–4% mortgage for a new loan at 6–7%, which meant fewer homes hitting the market.

But time is working against that lock-in. As older loans are paid down and new loans are issued, the share of mortgages over 6% has climbed from just 7% in mid-2022 to nearly 20% by the second quarter of 2025.

In other words, the mortgage landscape is shifting. While low rates still hold many homeowners in place, the gradual rise in higher-rate loans could mean more mobility—and, eventually, more homes available for buyers.

#MortgageRates #HousingMarket #RealEstateTrends #HomeBuying #HomeSelling #HousingInventory #RealEstateInsights #MarketUpdate

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"My Grandmother’s Journey: A Russian Refugee Story from 1946"

 

Here are “real refugee documents from 1940s Russia”documents
about my grandmother escaping to Paris during World War II

I'm hoping this stays for posterity

Central office of the Russian Refugees                                                          Paris,9 January 1946

Application per the Geneva Accord on
June 30 1928 and oƒ the Decree on January 11 1930

91 Rue Lecourbe

Paris 15
# 29                                         Custom Certificate

Central Office of Russian refugees certify that conforming to the convention relative to the International Statute of Refugees, signed in Geneva 28 October 1933 and promulgated that which concerns France by decree on 3 December 1936 Chapter II Article V.

“Under reservation of the dispositions of Article 4, line 2, the dissolution of refugee marriages will be regulated by the law of their domicile or by default the law of their residence.”

The present certificate is delivered to Madam Ana SMIRNOFF, maiden name Gauss Ryklitsky, Russian refugee, residing at 24 Rue de Gravilliers, Paris.

Director of the Office

B Maklakoff

Ancient Ambassador of Russia

Seen as authentication of the present document Paris January 8 1946

Representative of the Society of Nations

🏡 New Jersey’s “Mansion Tax” Just Got a Major Makeover — and Sellers, this one’s for you.

 🏡 New Jersey’s “Mansion Tax” Just Got a Major Makeover — and Sellers, this one’s for you.

As of June 30, 2025, NJ lawmakers passed a new state budget that reshapes the real estate landscape for 2026. Here's what you need to know:

📌 What Changed?
The Mansion Tax—originally a 1% fee on homes over $1M, typically paid by the buyer—will now be paid by the seller. And it’s no longer a flat fee. It's tiered, meaning the higher the sale price, the higher the tax.

📊 Why Now?
Back in 2004 when the tax was introduced, $1M was luxury. Today? It’s common, especially in coastal and suburban areas. With NJ’s median home price around $550K, the $1M threshold no longer signals ultra-wealth.

💸 What to Expect:
If you're selling a property over $1M, you’ll now see this tax added to your closing costs. It starts at $10,000 and increases with the sales price. Applies to single-family homes, condos, co-ops, multi-family (1–4 units), and some commercial properties.

🤔 How This Affects You:
If you're planning to list—or even thinking about it—this could impact your net proceeds. Timing, pricing, and prep strategies matter now more than ever.

What’s Really Going On in the Housing Market Right Now?

 

What’s Really Going On in the Housing Market Right Now?

🏡 Why Interest Rates Matter So Much

Mortgage interest rates have a huge impact on the housing market. Most homebuyers borrow money to buy a home, and the interest they pay each month affects what they can afford. When rates are high, monthly payments go up, making homes less affordable.

Right now, rates are hovering around 6.86%, which is pretty average compared to the last year—but still high enough to slow down buying activity.

---

🏦 The Fed’s Role and Jerome Powell’s Decisions

The Federal Reserve (led by Jerome Powell) controls short-term interest rates to help manage inflation. After major government spending during COVID (2020–2023), the Fed raised rates to slow inflation.

Here’s the issue: Inflation has gone down, but the Fed hasn’t lowered rates, even though other indicators (like Treasury bond yields) suggest they could. Many experts say the Fed is keeping rates too high for too long, which is cooling the housing market more than necessary.

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⚖️ Who’s Winning, Who’s Losing

Winners:

• Homeowners with low-rate mortgages

• Banks (earning profits by lending at higher rates)

• Credit card companies (charging more interest)

• Large investors (earning more from private debt)

Losers:

• First-time buyers priced out due to high rates

• People with credit card or other variable-rate debt

• Sellers who want to move but are "rate-locked" into low mortgage rates

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🏘️ Housing Inventory Is Still Tight

There are more homes for sale now than in recent months (1.45 million listings), but still fewer than before COVID—despite population growth. That shortage helps keep home prices from dropping significantly, and it also pressures builders to build more homes.

In markets like Los Angeles, we’re still in a seller’s market—even if it's more balanced than the past few years.

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📉 Buyer Activity Is Low

Mortgage application data (the “Purchase Index”) shows that buyer demand is about half of what it was before COVID. But the media often focuses on week-to-week ups and downs, instead of addressing the bigger picture: buyers are hesitant, and the market hasn’t fully recovered.

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⚠️ Industry Disruption and Lawsuits

There’s been drama around tech platforms like Zillow, Compass, and Homes.com trying to take more control of the real estate process—often at the expense of local agents.

On top of that, lawsuits against the National Association of Realtors (NAR) over commissions didn’t lower costs for consumers. In fact, commissions have gone up, and attorneys were the biggest winners.

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✅ So What Should Buyers and Sellers Do?

• Buyers: If you’re planning to stay in your home long-term and can afford it, real estate is still a smart investment.

• Sellers: You can still get solid value, but you may need to adjust expectations depending on price point and market.

• Investors: If you find a rental that cash flows well, this could be a strong time to buy and benefit from tax advantages.

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💬 Final Thought

Despite the confusion and complexity, real estate remains one of the best long-term ways to build wealth—as long as you buy smart and stay informed.

If you need help figuring out how this market affects your specific situation, reach out to a local expert you trust.

Myths vs facts

From the guru of agency, John Reilly: Regarding the Bright Analysis by Lisa Sturtevant, PhD Bright Chief Economist

Our analysis shows that the headlines and assertions are not supported by the data: There is no correlation between buyer's agent compensation and length of time to sell a home, contrary to some comments being made by the media and prosecutors.

CONCLUSION

1. Agent commissions have not been driving up home prices; rather, property and neighborhood characteristics and mortgage rates have fueled home price appreciation.

2. Listing a home on the MLS provides tremendous value both to buyers and to sellers. When homes are listed on the MLS, all homebuyers have an opportunity to see all homes available for sale. Sellers get more "eyes" on their property, which brings them the best offer.

3. When recent homebuyers are asked about real estate agents, there is widespread consensus that it is important for a homebuyer to have their own representation during the complex and sometimes stressful homebuying experience.

4.When recent homebuyers are asked about real estate agents, there is widespread consensus that it is important for a homebuyer to have their own representation during the complex and sometimes stressful homebuying experience.

https://www.rismedia.com/2024/04/16/dispelling-myths-about-commissions-mls/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3fW8Hqo7_XNH2mLEUNDSPfIEh5hhZHDiceLZKpFCzLcF0dXPmx_rBE-ag_aem_AapXe18Xnncvd131DqvZ3eW-v5sE-K9naaTEquKqzjSYHpOz3wFXj-L_8oX9qzwdCp2uBNx679x13qTIjNQcDv82