As summer begins its graceful transition into fall, New Jersey’s sunflower fields are at their golden peak—swaying in late-season breezes and offering a spectacular canvas of yellow across the Garden State.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet countryside stroll, a picture-perfect backdrop or simply the joy of seeing acres of blooms stretch toward the sun, these farms in all corners of our state deliver a dose of natural beauty well worth the drive. Bonus: Many of these locales host weekend festivals with pick-your-own sunflowers, apple picking, hayrides and more family friendly activities.
Alstede Farms, Chester. Don’t miss this farm’s Blooming Giants Sunflower Trail, with its towering flowers and a festival atmosphere. Take a scenic, tractor-drawn wagon ride through the fields, enjoy ample photo ops and grab a few beautiful stems to take home—entrance to the trail is included with any pick-your-own ticket. You also can take part in pick-your-own apples or stop by the farm store for even more fresh veggies and treats (farm-fresh peach ice cream, anyone?).
Bullock Farms, Cream Ridge. You can wander the fields of this 165-year-old farm and pick your own pumpkins, or enjoy a seasonal hayride, corn maze and hundreds of flower species, including sunflowers.
Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown. Part of the Monmouth County parks system, this site is home to hundreds of flower varieties, and sunflowers this time of year turn it into a field of gold.
Happy Day Farm, Manalapan. This Monmouth County farm is filled with fruit and flowers that are ripe for the picking, but the sunflowers here are the star. Sunflower fields are now open for pick-your-own sessions and Instagram-worthy selfies. Stay a while and grab a lemonade or shaved ice as well as treats to feed the resident chickens and goats.
Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge. Sunflowers are the main attraction of the 300-acre flower farm’s fall festival, which runs Sept. 12 to Oct. 13. In addition to the gorgeous blooms, visitors also can enjoy an array of food trucks, a feeding zoo, horse and carriage rides, hayrides and more. Stay tuned to the farm’s website for more details.
Ort Farms, Long Valley. U-pick flower fields are open, and you’re free to wander the sunflower trail to your heart’s content. The farm market is open daily, filled with super-fresh produce and baked goods such as pies, cider donuts and crumb cake.
Norz Hill Farm, Hillsborough. While the 5-acre sunflower path closed for the season last month, you can still see the bright blooms and find them in the market for purchase.
Snyder’s Farm, Somerset. Pick-your-own sunflower events take place every weekend through October at this farm. Visit in October for the fall festival, which includes apple cider, cider donuts, food trucks, wagon rides and more.
Stony Hill Farm, Chester. U-Pick season runs through October, when you can take a wagon ride to the 2.5-acre flower field, filled with eight different types of sunflowers. Stick around to listen to live music and stop by on-site winery Rebel Sheep Wine Co.’s tasting room. There are props set up for photos throughout the field (giant chairs and a tractor, for instance).
Terhune Orchards, Princeton. Though known for its apple picking, this farm’s U-Pick flowers is a treat as well. Choose all your favorites, including sunflowers, from the 250-acre site.
Von Thun Farms, Washington. The New Jersey Sunflower Trail at this Warren County locale is filled with expansive fields and beautiful photo ops. You also can pick peaches or berries, enjoy a hayride, visit adorable farm animals or shop a lineup of local artisanal vendors. Adult beverages are on sale for the 21-and-older crowd, and there’s a children’s activity area for the young ones.
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