Hillview Farms Peach Picking

Every year we make it to Hillview Farms in Gillette for some peach picking. They are not far from us and it makes for a nice fall day there. Expect to do lots of walking, especially uphill! The peaches this year were delicious (the year before they were badly damaged by hail). 

 

This farm is not commercial, so don't expect too many hay rides, or mazes, or other kids entertainment. Come on a weekday to avoid crowds. They do have their produce in the little store, and I think pies in the fall. There are awesome views as you go up to pick. We always have a good time there. They have chickens, roosters and peacocks running around the farm. My kids and their friends got in trouble for chasing the chickens. The roosters actually ganged up against the kids and tried to scare them with wings and feathers, and loud noises.

 

I couldn't find a website for them, but here is the address and the phone number:

 

Address: 223 Meyersville Rd, Gillette, NJ 07933

    Phone:(908) 647-0957

 

Alstede Farms, NJ

Alstede Farms is a great place with many things to do and see. It is organic and sustainable. We were able to feed the funniest and friendliest donkey, chickens, rabbits, and a very gentle horse. We picked our own blueberries, though it was too hot in the open sun and there weren't many ripe ones yet. Picking our own peaches went better. The kids got to climb on a giant hay stack.  They also got to ride on a tractor hay ride, which I think they liked the most. At the end we sat down in a shady spot and enjoyed some donuts and apple cider. Overall I would say that even though it was about 95 degrees outside that day the trip was a success.  There are also a few state parks nearby with wonderful and cool hiking trails. 

Here is the website for the farm: http://alstedefarms.com/ with address and hours.

And a few photos:

 

 

Strawberry Picking and Hacklebarney State Park

When we went to pick strawberries for the very first time in our lives I randomly picked a farm from NJ list of farms. Just pointed a finger to a place on a page. It turned out to be Donaldson Farms in Hackettstown, NJ, http://www.donaldsonfarms.net/.

Luckily for us, the place was amazingly beautiful, with rows and rows of strawberries. The store inside was nice also. There were a few goats in the shed and a 'pump it yourself' underground well. My kids ran ahead when they saw the animals, and by the time my hubby and I walked slowly over to them, the little one was having a deep and meaningful conversation with one of the goats. :) The strawberries were delicious as well.

After the farm we went to find a good place to sit down and have a picnic. We drove around for a bit, enjoyed some of the sights in the area. Wound up landing in Hacklebarney State Park, http://www.stateparks.com/hacklebarney.html. After the picnic we decided to take a little hike. In Hacklebarney there are a few decent sized rivers creating multiple waterfalls on their way down. My kids really loved skipping across the waterfalls on the giant boulders. Luckily we came home with all our faces intact.

The delicious strawberries we picked:

Hacklebarney State Park: