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Things To Do at Johnson's Locust Hall Farm’s Fall Harvest Festival

Park and Pick

The main attraction at Johnson's Locus Hall Farm's Fall Festival, park and pick runs all day long and was a unique experience for us. You are given a slip of paper, you drive through a loop, and stop to pick what you want, pack it into your trunk, and when you are all done hand your filled-out slip to an attendant and pay. This is a really nice, convenient method for pick-your-own, though with three kids in the car, taking them out and putting them back in the car seats repeatedly was tiresome. But the picking itself was fantastic!

First, we stopped for apples. Some were low enough for even our 20-month-old to grab from the trees. My older son loved using the picking pole to pull down apples from the tops of the trees.

The expansive pumpkin field had gourds of all shapes and sizes to choose from.

Our next stop was pumpkins and gourds, where we explored a giant field with pumpkins of all different colors and shapes (we even found a square-ish pumpkin!) mixed together in the same field. There was so much variety and we had a field day (excuse the pun) picking pumpkins!

Finally, we picked sunflowers, which was close to the pumpkin field and probably more for me than the kids. We asked other pickers to take a few family photos among the gorgeous field of flowers. Then the woman who worked there provided some shears (not for children) to cut the flowers (and their stalks are thick!) and told me which would be the best to pick and how to care for them. I appreciated all that information, and I love my sunflowers that are still warming up our house with their beauty five days later!

Another highlight for me: There were morning glories growing everywhere on the farm, wild and free, in the pumpkin patch, up the sunflowers and even on the cornstalks in the maze.

RELATED: Best Pumpkin Patches in New Jersey for Kids

The 5-acre corn maze is as easy or challenging as you want it to be at Johnson's Locust Hall Farm. 

Corn Maze

The kids were pretty tired after all that picking, but we persevered and entered the 5-acre corn maze. A map is provided, so if you don’t want to wander aimlessly, you can use the map and conquer the entire maze in less than 20 minutes. Make sure to climb the tower in the middle for a great view of the entire farm.

Hayride

Climb aboard a nice, covered wagon to enjoy a big loop that went by a drainage pond, some pumpkin fields, and a pasture with cows. On a hot day, the covered ride was particularly appreciated!

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Playful goats greet little farm-goers at the fence. 

Barnyard Animals

This was the highlight for our almost 2-year-old! The baby goats were particularly social and playful. I did not see any feed for the kids to offer to them, but they were picking grass and offering it and that got the animals' attention.

Live Music

Starting around noon and extending into the late afternoon, Johnson's Locust Hall Farm has live music on a stage by the barnyard animals and the line for the tractor ride. It felt lovely to sit and rest while sipping apple cider, eating apple cider donuts, and listening to live music. It sounded like folksy country music to me, and we enjoyed it. You can hear the music from the outdoor patio of the winery too. Click here for the live music line-up.

RELATED: Family-Friendly Vineyards and Wineries in New Jersey

When you're done in the fields, there are plenty of places for kids to play at Johnson's Locust Hall farm.

Slides, Sandpit, Corn Hole, Playhouse, and Tractor

We were beat from the picking and corn maze, and even after a snack and a restful tractor ride, our 20-month-old was ready to go home. Our big kids, though, were ready to have some fun on the playground equipment. There is a large playhouse with toys inside, a tractor the kids can climb on, a large sand pit, a cornhole game, and a fun double-slide that drew our toddler's attention! It is pretty cool, pretty fast, and made out of corrugated material, so the kids go “ahhhhh” instinctively as they slide down and enjoy hearing their voices undulate.

Farm Market

The farm market showcases local products, including delicious-looking pies, jams, apple cider donuts, apple cider, and much more. Pasture-raised chicken and beef are also sold here, and the market is open Fridays through Sundays.

RELATED: 20 Corn Mazes in New Jersey for Families to Tackle this Fall

Take in all the scenes of fall at Johnson's Locust Hall Farm—and be sure to take a few pictures, too. 

Places to Eat and Drink at Johnson's Locust Hall Farm

Tomasello Winery Tasting Room

With 50 homegrown New Jersey wines in its portfolio, you are sure to find something you will like at this tasting room. While the actual vineyard is located in Hammonton, visitors to the farm can either do a full tasting or purchase a bottle of wine to enjoy on the pavilion. Reservations can be made online here and are strongly recommended.

Farmhouse Grill

The grill is literally just that, a large grill set up outside the farm market under a tent with members of the Johnson family grilling up and serving food. There are picnic tables right there to sit and eat. The grill serves burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, pulled pork, and even a veggie burger—all at reasonable prices.

Food Trucks

While we were visiting, there was a food truck there offering mac and cheese, fries, and grilled cheese (all of our kids' favorites!). You can see the weekly food truck schedule and plan your visit accordingly!

More Annual Events at Johnson's Locust Hall Farm

While we visited during the fall harvest season, Johnson's Locust Hall Farm hosts tons of activities year-round, including Christmas in July, an annual Berry Bash Festival, plus evenings on the farm, flower workshops, farm-to-table dinners, wreath workshops, a vintage market, and a breakfast with Santa. Bookmark Johnson's Locust Hall Farm calendar so you don't miss out on any of the fun.

RELATED: Best Apple Orchards in NJ for Apple Picking with Kids

No matter what activity you choose, Johnson's Locust Hall Farm is a kid-pleaser. 

Know Before You Go to Johnson's Locust Hall Farm

• Check the website before you go to see what is ready for picking and if inclement weather has put a damper on the day’s fun.
• The Fall Harvest Festival runs through Sunday, October 29 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10am-5pm.
• The park and pick is $14.95 per person on the weekends and $9.96 on Fridays. Tickets are cheaper if you buy them online in advance. Children 2 and under are FREE! The tickets include access to the fields (you must also pay for what you pick), corn maze, barnyard animals, and hayride. For picking prices visit the website.
• Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome on the farm.
• There are port-a-potties and a trailer with toilets on the farm.
• If you choose to bring your own food, there are plenty of picnic tables.
• The fields are exposed to the elements. There is no shade and no protection from the wind. Keep this in mind and dress accordingly, with a jacket on cold days and sunscreen and a hat on hot days. And bring plenty of water for picking and the corn maze.
• We dressed nicely for some photo-ops on the farm, but keep in mind you there is mud in the fields, so probably don't put the kids in their best shoes.