If you’re looking for a place to pick your own fresh produce, keep the kids busy with farm activities, and indulge in a wine tasting (yes, please)—Terhune Orchards checks off all of the boxes. This family-owned and operated 250-acre, sustainable farm in Princeton, NJ, is an all-season farm with a bunch of activities like Fall Fun Family Weekends in September and October and a Firefly Festival in June. Plus, you can always stop by the farmers market with fresh fruits, vegetables, apple cider, pies, and cookies for any season. It’s no wonder that Terhune Orchards is on our list of best farms to visit in NJ. (featured photo taken at Terhune Orchards)
A farm day trip for the whole family
Terhune Orchards is full of hands-on activities. Photo taken at Terhune Orchards
Climb, play, and meet the animals
Kids will find lots to love at Terhune Orchards, including visiting and feeding the sheep, goats, and donkeys that call Terhune Orchards home. Beyond the animals, the farm has more than enough family-friendly things to do to keep kids busy all day. Stop by the Kids Garden, a perfect place to see how things grow, or take the Farm Trail Discovery Walk to see the cherry orchard, large pond, and maybe even some wildlife on the one-mile walk. The pedal tractors are another fun stop for any little farmers, or have them climb the tractor-themed play structures that resemble real farm tractors to get their extra energy out.
Feed the goats at Terhune Orchards. Photo taken at Terhune Orchards
Experience hands-on learning
What’s also great about Terhune Orchards is that you can sneak in some learning about working farms. Kids can “milk” a wooden cow in the hands-on Discovery Barn or walk on the pollinator trail to understand how insects can help plants. Terhune Orchards has programs throughout the year, which include the Read & Pick program, reading stories and discussing how crops are grown, then picking fruit or completing a craft activity. During winter, stay connected to the Farm during the Read & Explore program, which combines hands-on activities with reading a story. Summer camp is another option for kids to get their hands dirty and lean into farm life.
In the fall, the corn maze is a fun stop to let out some energy. Photo taken at Terhune Orchards
Pick your own (with wine)
One of the highlights of Terhune Orchards is the pick-your-own fields and orchards. While apple picking and pumpkin picking are the highlights of fall, in other seasons, you can pick your own fruits (from April to October), including stone fruit, berries, and various flowers. Before you go, visit the farm store—they have fresh produce, baked goods, and other local products. A must-try treat for visitors of all ages is the apple cider donuts or the apple cider slushies, typically made with apples grown on the farm. The farm store is open all year round, or you can shop online if you can’t make it out to the orchards. And parents can take a pit stop at the winery and tasting room in the Wine Orchard to sip flights of their award-winning white, red, and fruit wines fresh from their vineyards and orchards. Terhune Orchards is one of the few operating family farms in the Garden State that also has a winery and tasting room, and if you want to take some home, they sell it on-site at the winery, farm store, and online.
Pumpkin picking is the perfect fall activity at Terhune Orchards. Photo taken at Terhune Orchards
Enjoy the farm during any season
If you love a festival (and really, who doesn’t), then Terhune is the place to be in almost every season. Fall is when apple and pumpkin picking ramp up, with activities like a corn maze, food tents offering freshly baked treats, and rotisserie made on site. During the holidays, Santa visits the kids while there are Winery Music weekends and lots of holiday pies for purchase. Their cherry blossoms bloom in spring, the Terhune Bunny Trail Spring Festival kicks off a new season, and Kite Day in May is an annual tradition at the orchard. Pick your own blueberries, blackberries, and flowers in the summer, or stop by for the Firefly Festival in June, Blueberry Bash in July, or Just Peachy Festival in August. Whichever festival you go to, expect a lively day filled with music from local bands, wine tastings, special games and activities, and tons of family fun.
There are loads of photo opportunities at Terhune Orchards. Photo taken at Terhune Orchards
What To Know Before You Go
Arrive early to avoid crowds, and wear comfortable clothing and suitable footwear, especially if you plan to pick fruits. Pack a stroller with good wheels or a wagon to stash all your goodies. Make sure that you bring quarters to use to feed the animals and feed machines are located in the middle of the barnyard play area. Before you head to Terhune Orchards, check the calendar for one of their special events for max family fun. And if you’re apple picking, be aware that the apple orchard is around the corner from the main farm (13 Van Kirk Road). #NJMOM tip—buying tickets for a festival weekend online ahead of time is a good idea. You’ll get a discount and a guaranteed spot since tickets tend to sell out during special events.
For more information, visit the Terhune Orchards website, Instagram, and Facebook.
Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
Terhune Pick-Your-Own Apple Orchard
13 Van Kirk Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
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