Obviously, we are still in the middle of a pandemic, and as much as we all want to pretend it’s not real anymore, we still need to take precautions. Luckily, autumn is the best time of year to take advantage of the outdoors! No swarms of mosquitoes biting you every time you step outside, no sweating through your clothes….autumn is all about the ideal weather. And luckily, South Jersey has some perfect places to fully enjoy the moderate temperatures and the coziest fall activities. Here are a few that I love, and that have all been taking Covid precautions very seriously.
1. The Original Johnson’s Farm, Medford NJ
Growing up, Johnson’s Farm was always the site of a classic fall day: the hayrides, the pumpkin picking, the petting zoo, and, of course, the fresh apple cider doughnuts. Since I was young, they’ve made a lot of improvements and quite a few additions, including a huge playground, larger market, and overall larger space for attractions, while still making the whole operation run smoothly. It’s right in Medford, and is a perfect place to take your kids or your friends for a fun-filled day. It’s usually VERY busy on weekends in the fall, especially October, so make sure you’re prepared. Check out their website to learn about Covid measures & more.
2. Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm: Jobstown, NJ
While I’ll always have a special place in my heart for the original, I’ve come to love a new favorite farm: Locust Hall. It’s been a fairly small, family-run farm for decades, and when they came into a bit of a financial struggle, the Johnson’s Family purchased it and has created the most beautifully rustic venue. Weddings and events are a major part of their success, as they use the historic, picturesque barn.
They still run as a farm, however, and offer sunflower picking, apple picking, and pumpkin picking in the fall, and dozens of other crops for picking in the summer as well. There is indeed a farm market to purchase all of your favorite Johnson’s baked goods, and they’ve even worked out a partnership with local New Jersey winery Tomasello. That’s right: you can have a wholesome day of farm activities and ALSO enjoy an extremely reasonably-priced wine tasting. Live music and food at the Lower Barn, as well as a playground and petting zoo for the kids, makes this the perfect outing for those of any age, AND it’s dog-friendly! (Note that it unfortunately is not dog-friendly this year due to Covid restrictions but I brought Millie last year and she loved it!)
I truly do not even have enough words to express how charming and wonderful I find this place, so do yourself a favor and see it for yourself. Due to Covid, they don’t offer the hayrides to the fields, but instead they allow you to drive yourself through each orchard to pick your own goods and then checkout at the end. See their website for more information and reservations: https://www.johnsonslocusthallfarm.com/
3. Holland Ridge Farm: Cream Ridge, NJ
Holland Ridge’s prime time of year is actually in the spring, as they’re known for their Dutch tulips and their Tulip Festival. This year it was unfortunately cancelled (Covid strikes again), but they’re back for an epic Sunflower Festival! They boast acres and acres of sunflowers that you can pick yourself, as well as some great photo ops. They even offer a pass for Monday and Tuesday evenings for photographers looking to get those perfect Golden Hour shots. Check out their website to plan your trip there!
4. Amalthea Cellars: Atco, NJ
It’s always been a favorite activity of mine, but since the pandemic started, I’ve found that wine tasting is even more fun! It’s a safe, socially-distanced outdoor activity that also involves WINE! This particular winery is kind of hidden within a neighborhood, but has rave reviews on their locally made and sourced wines. Many of their wines are award-winning, and Amalthea was actually featured on an NPR podcast called “Planet Money”. It’s not the most scenic of vineyards, but it has tons of charm and a super-friendly staff, and to my knowledge, dogs are allowed (but I’d call to double-check before bringing them!) They do not serve food other than a very limited selection of light snacks, so pack your own little picnic and enjoy some of the greatest wines that New Jersey has to offer! https://amaltheacellars.com/
5. Cedar Rose Vineyards: Millville, NJ
Again, another vineyard. There are actually way too many awesome vineyards in New Jersey for me to add on one list, so these are just two of my favorites that I’ve been to recently and have loved. While Amalthea boasts the award-winning wines in a humble setting, Cedar Rose has the most gorgeous views to accompany their own delicious blends. The entire property is on rolling hills of grapevines and other crops, surrounded by even more farmland as far as you can see. The whole vibe really felt like I was in Napa Valley, or even Italy, and that alone makes this my new favorite spot. The wines were great and flights were reasonably priced, and while they do allow you to bring your own snacks, they also offer some delicious options on their menu. I brought Millie and she really loved the whole experience too. We felt completely safe the whole time and the tables were nicely distanced from one another, making it the perfect fall activity while still being cautious.
6. Dr. Brewlittle's: Maple Shade, NJ
Micro-breweries have been all the rage lately and are really popular around South Jersey, partially because a loop-hole in the laws allows them to open even in the "dry" towns. Dr. Brewlittle's just opened right on Main Street in Maple Shade and is owned by one of the co-owners of the Mount Laurel Animal Hospital, so it's pet-themed and dog-friendly! They have some nice outdoor seating set up in the parking lot and it's the perfect place to bring some snacks and your pup and enjoy a nice autumn afternoon. They're open Thursday through Sunday!
Get out there and enjoy this gorgeous warm and breezy weather while you can! If you don’t live nearby, hopefully these can give you some ideas of what to look for near you. There are quaint farms, vineyards, and breweries all over the country just waiting for you to come and Instagram them :)
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