If you’re on the hunt for a spot to pick some fresh produce, keep kids busy with farm activities, and indulge in a wine tasting (yes, please)—Terhune Orchards checks off all the boxes. This family-owned and operated 250-acre, sustainable farm in Princeton, NJ, is an all-season favorite, especially with their family-friendly events like Fall Fun Family Weekends and a Firefly Festival in June. And no matter what time of year, you can stop by the farm store with fresh fruits, vegetables, apple cider, pies, and cookies. It’s no wonder that Terhune Orchards is on our list ofbest farms to visit in NJ. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)
A Farm Day Trip For The Whole Family
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 entertain from morning to afternoon. Stop by the Kids’ Garden to see how plants grow, or take the Farm Trail Discovery Walk to explore the cherry orchard, large pond, and wildlife on the one-mile walk. And a trip to Terhune isn’t complete without a ride on the pedal tractors, made especially for your little farmer. Still need to get the energy out before you go home? Kids can climb the tractor-themed play structures that look just like real farm tractors and have a blast (they may never want to leave).
Experience hands-on learning
Want to make it a more educational experience? Terhune Orchards is where 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.
Pick your own (with wine)
What’s a farm without picking? At Terhune Orchards, you can pick fruits and veggies straight from their fields and orchards. Apples and pumpkins steal the spotlight in the fall, but other seasons bring cherries, berries, and flowers. Before you head out, check out the farm store for fresh produce, tasty baked goods, and other local goodies. Don’t miss the apple cider donuts or the apple cider slushies made with apples from the farm. Parents can take a break in the tasting room in the Wine Orchard to sip on their award-winning white, red, and fruit wines procured from their vineyards and orchards. Terhune Orchards stands out as one of the few family farms in New Jersey that also has a winery and tasting room, and you can grab a bottle to take home from the winery, the farm store, or online.
Enjoy the farm during any season
If you love a festival (and really, who doesn’t), then Terhune is the place to go. Fall is when apple and pumpkin picking ramp up, and their Fall Festival days are full of activities like a corn maze, food tents offering freshly baked treats, and the newly added Barnyard Sports Barn with a basketball toss, baseball throw, and pumpkin bowling. During the holidays, Santa visits the kids while there are fire pits and lots of hot cider, s’more kits, and mulled wine for the adults. In spring, check out the cherry blossoms and the Terhune Bunny Trail Spring Festival, and in May, Kite Day is an annual tradition at the orchard. During the summer, you can pick blueberries, blackberries, and flowers, 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.
What to know before you go
The best time to visit Terhune is to arrive early to avoid crowds. If you are heading out to the orchards for picking, they suggest comfortable clothing and suitable footwear (no open-toed shoes). Pack a stroller with good wheels or a wagon to stash all your goodies. And if you’re apple picking, be aware that the apple orchard is around the corner from the main farm (13 Van Kirk Road). Keep an eye on their online calendar for festivals, and 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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