ASBURY PARK, NJ — Heading out to a patch or field to pick the best or biggest pumpkin isn’t just about finding the perfect Halloween jack-o-lantern. It’s a seasonal activity blending nature, tradition and community, and there are several places around Asbury Park to create lasting memories with family and friends.
Many pumpkin patches and fields offer complementary activities like hay rides, corn mazes and games for the kids. Picking your own pumpkin also is a good way to support the local farmers who grow them.
Whether you plan to carve a jack-o’-lantern or just add some festive flair to your stoop, there are plenty of places to pick up a pumpkin near Asbury Park. Here are a few of our favorites:
Eastmont Orchards, 321 Route 537 Colts Neck, NJ 07722
Happy Day Farm, 106 Iron Ore Rd, Manalapan Township, NJ 07726
Battleview Orchards: 91 Wemrock Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Giamerese Farm, 155 Fresh Ponds Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
In northwest New Jersey:
Mountain Creek’s 41st annual Oktoberfest: Every weekend through November 2 with the third annual Fall Fest, featuring scenic sky rides, Alpine Mountain Coaster rides, live music, guided hikes, giant lawn games, and seasonal snacks — all with unbeatable views of fall foliage in the Vernon Valley.
Event Highlights:
Heavenly Hill Farm, 451 NJ-94, Vernon Township, NJ 07462
Keep in mind that carving and baking pumpkins aren’t the same. The former are grown in fields to be large, more vibrantly colored, and relatively hollow. The watery flesh doesn’t have the same flavor found in baking pumpkins, which tend to be smaller, have thicker, harder-to-carve walls and sweeter flesh. For those, you’ll probably need to head to the grocery store.
Pumpkins for carving should appear sturdy and clean. Remember, this is the pumpkin that will be front and center on the porch for the Halloween season. Here are some tips for carving a perfect jack-o’-lantern from Warren Nash on YouTube, who shows a step-by-step process to make the perfect carve.
Pumpkin carving kits will go a long way in getting what you need. They typically include saws, a scooper, a drill and multiple patterns.
If you're looking for the items individually around the house, here's what you could use:
Steps