The ultimate guide to New Jersey fall fun: Sunflowers, corn mazes and pumpkins

Even if you're still a fan of local summer in New Jersey, you can embrace early fall at the same time.

Sure, it's a blast to enjoy a quieter beach day along the Shore, while temperatures are still warmer and it's not yet dark at 5 p.m.

But for me, there is a special joy in that first few sips of a seasonal drink.

Gazing at some sunflowers and maybe taking a few home, as well as a hearty gourd or tiny pumpkin, this early on.

I'm not a savvy enough gardener to mess around with having other seasonal flowers this early on — as they typically wither before October first with our wildly fluctuating weather.

Mum fall flowers

So, for me it's especially enjoyable to visit one of our many family-run farms in the Garden State, to "carve out" some early fall fun.

No matter how crazy a family's schedule gets — there are enough options to squeeze in at least a quick trip to a pumpkin patch, to really bring in the arrival of autumn.

Here is a round up of 16 spots in New Jersey — don't see your favorite?

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