Fall is a perfect time for an affordable weekend getaway with the kids. With school back in session, schedules get busy. It is important to break up the pace with a little fun, and to enjoy the outdoors before the full brunt of winter sets in! Chester New Jersey is a great place to have fun with children and spend quality family fun in the outdoors without breaking the bank.

Description: Sun High Orchard is a great place to enjoy the fall weather with your family. The orchard dates back to 1945 when the first fruit trees were planted. There is no admission to the orchard. Apple bags are available free of charge and apple pickers can be rented for a small fee. Apple varieties ripen at different times during the season, so you may want to call for the varieties available the day you wish to pick. The farm market offers a large selection of fresh picked fruits and vegetables, home baked pies, cider donuts and more. Children will enjoy meeting the friendly farm animals.

Our Experience: Overall, we had a great time at this orchard. It was pretty crowded but we went to the smaller picking trees which were less busy. The trees weren’t too high, which was perfect for the little ones. The kids really enjoyed the bouncy castle pumpkin and pony rides for just $7. They have a strict no dog policy, so it was a good thing we left our pup at home. The indoor market was filled with fresh fruits and vegetables, along with some baked goods. There was a fireplace and cozy sitting area where we relaxed while the kids played board games that were provided.

Description: Stony Hill Farms has tons of activities for children and families. The 10-acre Giant Corn Maze features a new theme every year. The theme for 2014 is “NJ 350” which celebrates the 350th birthday of the state of New Jersey. The maze features a number of bridges, some crossing over two or three paths. There are three games incorporated into the maze and a variety of facts about the theme along the way. If you get hopelessly lost and need help, just rest at one of the benches and a maze master will come to your rescue. Admission also includes a mini corn maze perfect for younger guests, a rope maze that leads to a pirate ship, Noah’s Ark Playground and a variety of other small mazes and games.

Fall Fun With Kids at Stony Hill Farms in Chester, NJ

Our Experience: The giant corn maze was fun and challenging. It took us about 2 hours to find our way out. Luckily there were maps to assist us when we needed help. Free donuts and apple cider come with the admission, though we passed. We went on a rather warm fall day, wishing we brought some water. After completing the maze, we checked out the farm store. The kids enjoyed feeding the farm animals and playing on the playground. The bathroom facilities were porta potties, but they were very clean. Overall we had a great time and will come again next fall.

Description: The charming Main Street features a wide selection of upscale retailers, ranging from clothing, to home decor and antiques. There is something for everyone. The
whole family will enjoy this street, though the teens and adults will enjoy it more than the younger children. But the younger children will enjoy the Dairy Queen and World of Birds, a really nice bird store just off Main Street.

Our Experience: We usually save shopping for rainy days, but this was a very charming shopping area so we really enjoyed it. We had a nice 2 hours on the street and will definitely come again on our next trip to the area.