With all the chaos and busyness of our everyday lives, it's often worth taking a minute to stop and enjoy the beauty around us. And that's just what a number of farms around New Jersey hope to do with their annual sunflower mazes and flower festivals happening this summer. Whether you want to just enjoy the view or are ready to cut and bring home a few, grab your tickets for these farms with major flower power. Some are blooming now, some are soon to come — here's our list of can't miss sunflower picking spots around Bergen County.
Sunflower season is in full swing through August 25 at Happy Day Farm, where the gorgeous stems are sure to put a smile on your face. Take a tractor ride to the flowers, and while you're there, enjoy fresh lemonade, shaved ices, and photo ops. And it's hard to believe, but fall fun is just around the corner, starting up on September 14. (Happy Day Farm, Manalapan, U-Pick Sunflowers open through August 25)
One of New Jersey's best-known farms, Alstede Farms' Blooming Giants Sunflower Trail is open for you to explore. The trail is included with any pick your own admission, and grants you free rein of picking in the fields. While you're there, grab some fresh finds from the market, visit with the animals, and enjoy so much more farm farm. (Alstede Farms, Chester, sunflower trail now open)
At Stony Hill Farms, their recently opened annual Sunflower Festival provides guests with 2.5 acres of gorgeous stems to roam in, snap photos in, and cut stems from to take home. Live music and attractions such as the mazes, trike rides, and homemade flights of ice cream are sure to please the whole fam. Plus, you can visit on August 23 for the sunflower paint and sip event. (Stony Hill Farms, Chester, Sunflower Festival ends August 30)
Here's a little known fun fact: NJ is home to the largest sunflower maze on the east coast. With over 1.5 million sunflowers and 3 miles of trails, the Sussex County Sunflower Maze at Liberty Farm should definitely earn a spot on your must-do list this summer. This pet-friendly spot allows guests to shoot photos, pick your own and venture through the maze. (Sussex County Sunflower Maze, Sandyston, Open August 28-September 15)
A short drive to the Hudson Valley leads you to Sunflower Valley Farm, where picturesque flower fields and a sunflower maze are perfect for photo shoots, which can be scheduled. This scenic farm also offers seeds to grow your own garden, plus plenty of activities such as a petting farm and face paint to keep the kids happy. And on August 23, they're hosting a Sunset on the Farm event with live music from County One band, plus food trucks, drinks, and more fun. (Sunflower Valley Farm, New Hampton, Sunflower season is now open)
Be your own photographer at VonThun Farms Sunflower Trail. With over six acres of sunflowers, it's safe for your family to wander as long as you would like and cut your own sunflowers. Or, head out on August 10 and 11 for the Sunflower Festival weekend, with photo ops, food trucks, peach and berry picking, and so much more. And did we mention with hayride tours and a barnyard area there's something for everyone? (VonThun Farms, Washington, NJ, now open through Labor Day)
Round out your end-of-summer plans at Holland Ridge Farms' Fall Flower Festival. Along with the classic sunflowers, visitors can expect colorful rows of gladiolas, lilies and dahlias spanning 60 acres -- the largest U-Pick on the East Coast. BYO photography or use their professionals for Insta-worthy snaps. Pony and tractor rides, animals and farm fresh food are all available for a fun-filled day. (Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge, sunflowers open September 13-October 14)
The Sunflower Trail at Ort Farms leads you through more than five acres of sunny fields, where you can explore at your leisure and stop at their photo opps along the way for beautiful shots. Visit their U-cut sunflower field to bring home your own to display, and extend your time there with farm activities for the kids like a play area, monster truck rides, cow train rides, and more. (Ort Farms, Long Valley, Sunflower season through the end of August)
