Fresh from the Garden State: A Farm-to-Table Itinerary

Savor seasonal flavors, meet local growers and discover where soil-to-plate really shines

This three-day weekend itinerary is your perfect excuse to unplug, dig in and experience all the goodness the Garden State has to offer. As you make your way through Central New Jersey, you’ll meet the farmers behind the fresh food you love, get your hands a little dirty picking your own produce and even mingle with furry friends along the way. Each stop offers something uniquely local, whether it’s a fragrant lavender field, a cozy historic inn, a mission-driven farmers market or a skyline-view dinner that brings it all full circle. This guide blends farm-fresh flavors, meaningful connections and small-town charm into one unforgettable journey, making sure there’s a little something for everyone.

This New Jersey Itinerary at a Glance

Pick-Your-Own Goodies
Udderly Adorable Encounters
Market Your Calendar
Feast from the Farm
A Skyline to Dine For

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3-Day New Jersey Culinary Itinerary

Day 1: Rooted in Hunterdon County

Start your long weekend off fresh on the Hunterdon 579 Trail in Milford. This trail is the heart and soil of Hunterdon’s food scene; not only does this trail allow visitors to experience the rolling landscapes, but it also connects them to farmers’ markets, family-owned farms and rustic wineries dotting the path. The trail also offers the Passport Tour, where travelers can collect stamps from all of the wineries, farms and markets along the trail.

Your first stop along the trail is Phillips Farms, conveniently nestled on Crab Apple Hill Road. Here, you’ll shop a vibrant market brimming with fresh-picked produce and fresh-cut flowers. The market has everything from eggplant to pumpkins to berries to fresh breads–it’s a true harvest of options. This six-generation, family-run farm invites you to pick your own apples, berries, peaches, strawberries, flowers and more, depending on what’s in season at the time of your visit. Soak up the sun and get your hands dirty–the best snacks are the ones you pick yourself!

For lunch, take a short drive to Frenchtown Café, an excellent choice for all types of eaters thanks to its inclusive menu. From fluffy omelets made with farm-fresh eggs to dishes featuring locally sourced ingredients, every bite is rooted in quality. Though this restaurant serves up fresh, modern flavors, the building itself is steeped in history–standing strong since 1897. Once a candy store and even home to the town’s first telephone switchboard, this spot has lived many lives and continues to be a local staple.

A little less than 15 minutes from the Frenchtown Cafe, raise a glass at Beneduce Vineyards in Pittstown. This winery is perfect for sipping estate-grown wine and strolling the scenic grounds. Live music and food trucks that source local ingredients often add to this laid-back, rustic atmosphere.

For dinner, take a short drive to The Ciderhouse at Ironbound Farm in Asbury. The beautiful outdoor patio immerses you in the landscape around. Here, you can tour the farm, sip cider and dine on dishes crafted with farm-grown ingredients.

End your day on a cozy note at a charming bed and breakfast like Chestnut Hill B&B on the Delaware in Milford. This stunning 1860s B&B offers six upstairs bedrooms and plenty of inviting social spaces–perfect for larger groups or even just stretching out after a full day of grazing. The ideal, homegrown way to wrap up your day.

Day 2: From Soil to Soul

On Saturday, begin your day with a fresh-picked experience at the Frenchtown Farmers Market. Here, you’ll meet local makers and farmers alike and stock up on honey, handcrafted jams, unique crafts and more–gathering a true harvest of local flavor Near the market, fuel up with a cup of fresh-brewed coffee from one of the local spots like Perfect Day Cafe. The downtown area of Frenchtown offers lots of gems for you to explore.

From there, make your way to downtown Lambertville, where you can browse vintage shops, explore art galleries and discover gourmet shops with locally made goods. Tucked away in Lambertville is Fulper Family Farmstead, a charming, family-run dairy farm with deep roots and a whole lot of heart. This century-old farm blends tradition with sustainability, using greener, healthier practices to care for both their animals and the land. From solar-powered energy systems to soil conservation methods, everything they do is rooted in respect for nature. It’s a wholesome, hands-on experience that’s fun for the whole family—full of fresh air and cute cows. For lunch, dig into a meal at 12 Farms Restaurant in Hightstown, about a 27-mile drive from the farm. True to its name, the restaurant sources ingredients from 12 local farms and builds its menu around whatever is fresh from the field that day. A menu highlight is their pizza.

In the afternoon, take a scenic drive about an hour north to Readington Brewery & Hop Farm in Neshanic Station. Tour the hop farm and enjoy a tasting flight of farm-grown beers in a rustic barn setting—where farmhouse-style takes on a whole new meaning.

Keeping with the farmhouse charm, drive about 15 minutes up the road to The Ryland Inn and treat yourself to upscale farmhouse cuisine, housed in a historic equestrian estate. Seasonal ingredients shine in beautifully plated dishes, each one rooted in fresh, local sourcing.

Your group can also stay the night here, as The Ryland Inn offers accommodations exclusively for events. If you’re traveling on a smaller scale, there are plenty of equally charming B&Bs nearby. For a more elevated stay, the Pendry Natirar, 11 miles from The Ryland Inn, offers a farm-meets-luxury experience that’s pure magic, offering the perfect end to a field-fresh day. Another option is Pendry Natirar, a stately escape on 500 rolling acres in Somerset County.

Day 3: Fields and City Flavor Fusion

About 30 minutes from Ryland Inn, begin your last day on this farm fresh mid-Jersey tour in Hidden Spring Lavender & Alpaca Farm in Skillman. Here, the farm doubles as a lavender farm and alpaca farm, allowing guests to flourish and pick fresh lavender and make some furry friends as well. Open from 10-4 on Sunday, this farm is a fragrant and fun way to start your day. If you want breakfast beforehand, visit The Meeting House in Princeton. The Meeting House is a restaurant and bar offering simple American cuisine with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients.

For lunch, swing by Turf Surf and Earth in Somerville–a vibrant, made-to-order gem. Approximately 25 minutes from Hidden Spring, every dish is crafted fresh with a strong spotlight on plant-based options that emphasize sustainability and seasonal flavors. It’s colorful, creative, and delicious.

After lunch, take about an hour drive east to the Hudson River culinary scene to wrap up your journey with a more urban farm-to-table experience.

In Jersey City, the Riverview Farmers Market runs every Sunday from May 4 through November 23. The Riverside Farmers Market began in 2010, when a group of determined individuals set out to create a space in Jersey City where fresh, locally sourced food would be attainable. Against all odds, the farmers market was born, founded on four defining principles: food would be locally produced and grown, the farms would employ organic practices and use no pesticides, affordability for all residents and food aid would be accepted, and market promotion would highlight the diversity in the heights. Here, you’re able to immerse yourself into this great cause of a program and grab some fresh finds.

Approximately 15 minutes away, treat yourself to Halifax, a sleek waterfront spot located inside the W Hotel in Hoboken, with sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline. The menu is a refined blend of farm-to-table dining, featuring ingredients sourced from New Jersey farms and the nearby Hudson Valley.

End your trip with a panoramic skyline view and standout local dining at Lokal Eatery and Bar. Here, the kitchen keeps up the vibe of using fresh, locally sourced ingredients in each global-inspired dish. Enjoy the skyline view of the city, and cheers to a great trip.