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Mackey’s Orchard

Mackey’s Orchard is a great place for apple picking with little ones. It is located in Belvidere, NJ. The farm stand is open daily from 9 am until 6 pm. Apple picking is only on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am until 4 pm weather permitting. They suggest calling first before going there to make sure they will be taking people up to the orchard.

When you enter the old farm building you see baked goods, canned goods, fresh produce, seasonal décor, and so much more. Take the time to walk around, you will not be disappointed.

Once you pass the refrigerated section you stop and choose your bag size for your apples. I suggest the bigger bag because you will want to make your own apple pie and other apple desserts. The price varies by bag size. I made the mistake of getting the smallest bag. I know, what was I thinking?? I will be going back for more. The apples we picked were so juicy.

After the kids are done playing, if you can get them away from the playground, you walk to the next area where you get onto the hayride. There are 3 or 4 hayrides going back and forth all day. You are taken up the mountain to the apple orchard. On the way you have a beautiful view of the town below. Try to go when the leaves have changed colors. We were about a week too early to see the colors but it was still pretty.

Once you get to the top, which takes maybe 6 or 7 minutes, you are greeted by “the sheriff”. He tells you the rules for apple picking. It only takes 2 minutes for him to go through the rules so be patient. It’s for the health of the trees and fruit. The sheriff also explains where each type of apple is in the orchard. I never knew there were so many different types of apples.

Now you’re on your way to picking. The kids will be excited to pick their first apple. You want to make sure it’s a good one because some of the apples will have worm holes and other marks on them. You don’t want to be throwing a bunch of apples on the ground. Watch out for bees also. Even when it’s cooler weather, the bees love apples.

Depending on the size bag you picked you can finish in about 30 minutes. I think it took us about 45 minutes. We had a group of 10 people. We went to different sections to pick different types of apples. We wanted a variety.

Once you are finished picking your apples you head back to catch the hayride to go back down the mountain. Let the kids eat an apple, it will keep them occupied on the ride and you will enjoy their reaction to eating the apple they picked.

Once the ride is over you can finish your visit with some homemade soft ice cream or some baked goods to take home.

Mazezilla Corn Maze

Klingel’s Farm is a produce stand, an 11 acre corn maze, and acres upon acres of a pumpkin patch located in Saylorsburg, PA.

When you arrive at the farm you can browse the large produce stand before picking your pumpkins. I suggest going straight to the hayride that takes you down to the corn maze and play area.

They have slides that go through tunnels made of large corrugated pipes, hay bales stacked up to climb on, a wooden tractor to play on, and other fun things to do.

They also have goats, llamas, chickens, turkeys, pigs, steer, and more to feed and pet.

There are snack stands if you get hungry or thirsty. Sometimes there are fundraisers going on. They also do birthday parties.

If you are going through the maze go to the shed type building and get your map and check point card. You’ll want the card to keep track of your progress through the maze. If you go in the evening be sure to bring a flashlight, or you can purchase one there. It gets muddy so you might want to wear boots if the weather has been rainy.

Once you have your map and card, you’re ready to enter the maze. Take your time and have fun finding the check points. Make sure you use the paper punch to mark your card. Depending on your map skills, the maze can take an hour or longer to complete.

Each year is a different themed maze. We didn’t do the maze this time, but I have in the past with other Grandchildren and it was a lot of fun. There is a lookout tower in the center of the maze to help people get out if they get lost. Sad to say we got turned around and had to ask the lookout person in the tower for help making it even more fun.

Did I mention the pumpkin patch? The pumpkin patch is huge! You can grab one of the wagon’s available and load the kids into it and head over to the pumpkin patch. The kids will love the ride and you can keep them close by while you walk through the play area.

I like to get our pumpkins before letting the kid’s play because they will want to play again after pumpkin picking and sometimes the weather does not cooperate.

You’ll be glad you have the wagon when the kids pick the biggest pumpkin to take home.

When you’re ready to call it a day head back to the hayride for the return ride up the hill to the produce stand where you can check out all of the local produce and other products they sell.

If you time it just right you can watch the sunset behind the mountain while loading the kids back into the car.

We saw a rainbow the day we went.