This might not go over well with the watermelon crowd, but for our money, nothing tastes more like summer in your mouth than a perfectly ripe, juicy peach. Especially when it’s still warm, right off the tree and worthy of at least a few napkins. If you too are #teampeach, you’re going to want to know how and where to pick your own peaches in and around Bergen County. Because peach season doesn’t last forever and it’s the pits when it’s over (oh yeah, we went there).
You want some peaches but you really don’t want to make a day of it. Head to Demarest Farms, home to 12 different peach varieties and a short drive from anywhere in Bergen County. With well-manicured trees, spectacular views, and the tastiest peaches around, Demarest Farms is the perfect destination for visitors who want to enjoy the fun hay rides to and from the orchards, the petting zoo, and so much more. $5/pp for everyone over the age of 2, $10 per bag (bags hold approximately 10 lbs. of peaches). Pssst! There’s a Wine Festival the weekend of August 11th and 12th. Do with that what you will. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00am-3:00pm, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale, (201) 666-0472
Best known for their spectacular views, Ochs Orchard is a third generation family-owned farm. Pack a picnic and hike to the gazebo at the top of the farm for some relaxation before or after the hard work of picking peaches. But save a little time for homemade ice cream, pie and the petting zoo. Just remember, Ochs is cash only so hit the ATM before you get there. Open Wednesdays – Sundays from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. 4 Ochs Lane, Warwick, NY (845) 986-1591
Not just for apples, Love Apple Farm also has pick your own peaches, plums, cherries and berries. After you’ve picked your fill, visit the farm market for fresh produce and bakery items. Or, visit around mealtime and indulge in the onsite café featuring made from scratch, authentic Mexican specialties. Then finish your day at the petting zoo. Open 7 days a week, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. 1421 State Route 9H, Ghent, NY (518) 828-5048.
With 5,000 peach trees and over 30 varieties of yellow and white peaches, Melick’s Town Farm is certain to have a long, bountiful season. Kids will love the low trees so they can easily grab the ripest, most beautiful peaches. While there, you can also visit their farm animals, enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride, and climb the giant hay bales. With 200 acres, there are plenty of peaches for picking. Open daily from 9:00am-6:00pm, 472 County Road 513, Califon, (908) 832-2905
Enjoy a scenic hayride around the farm as you head to the peach orchards offering plenty of white and yellow peaches that are ready for picking. Pull wagons are provided to help you haul your…um, haul. Families can also celebrate this favorite fuzzy fruit at Alstede Farms’ Peach Festival. Kick off your day with a Peach Pancake breakfast, then enjoy delicious treats such as peach cake, peach slushies, peach pie, homemade peach blueberry ice cream and more. Pick your own peaches are $2.79/pound. Open daily from 9:00am-6:00pm. Peach Festival will be held August 4th–5thand August 11th–12thfrom 11:00am-5:00pm, Pancake breakfasts will be 8/5 and 8/12 from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, (908) 258-6245
Offering the freshest, tastiest, and most nutritious product possible, Phillips Farms has juicy Jersey peaches that are ripe and ready for even the littlest hands to pick. Bonus: Score PYO blueberries and blackberries while you’re out for the day and make a delicious berry peach cobbler. Call ahead to confirm availability. Open daily except for Tuesdays from 8:30am-6:30pm, 290 Church Road, Milford, (908) 995-0022
Go in August for the peaches, then head back in December for your Christmas tree. And don’t forget to visit the White Hall Vineyard while you’re there. Peach pick-your-own typically starts in mid-August. Pick-your-own open daily 10:00 am – 4:30 pm starting in August. Vineyard open Saturday and Sunday Noon – 5:00 pm. 1335 White Hill Road, Yorktown Heights, NY, (914) 245-5111.
