Visit this Luke Bryan-themed corn maze and 11 others in Central Jersey

Feel like getting lost? Take a stroll through Central Jersey's corn mazes.

Featuring country icons, quilts, chickens, nonprofit organizations and more, the mazes will be an a-MAZE-ing challenge. Trying to find the exit and doing other farm activities can provide hours of entertainment ? even longer if you get lost.

Von Thun Farms, South Brunswick and Washington Township

For most folks, it’s a 35-45 minute walk to wind their way around a corn maze at either Von Thun Farms location. This year, you might want to agree with Luke Bryan and say "I Don't Want This Night To End," as you go through the maze dedicated to the five-time Country Music Entertainer of the Year.

In celebration of his 15th annual farm tour kicking off in September, both Von Thuns Farms locations have prepared a corn maze honoring Bryan. The five-acre mazes are open Sept. 14 through Halloween.

"We were thrilled when the MaiZE Company announced their partnership with Luke Bryan and his team," said Bob Von Thun, otherwise known as "Farmer Bob." "Our kids grew up on country music and Luke Bryan has always been one of their favorites."

During Luke’s Farm Tour, he will release his ninth studio album "Mind Of A Country Boy" on Sept. 27. Bryan also awards college scholarships to students from farming families attending colleges or universities near tour stops.

"Having grown up farming in South Georgia and celebrating agriculture for the last 15 years on my Farm Tour, I’m honored that so many members of the farming community have chosen me to feature in their corn mazes across the country," said Bryan. "I can’t wait to see how they turn out."

While navigating the mazes, visitors look for clues and play an interactive game quizzing them on how much they know about Bryan. Von Thun’s also will feature Luke Bryan photo-ops and music.

The first phase of the Von Thun corn mazes are short and ideal for young guests or those with limited walking ability. This phase tells the anti-bullying story of Spookley and how his friends helped him overcome being the only square pumpkin in a school of regular pumpkins.

The second phase is nearly five acres with twists and turns featuring questions that, if answered correctly, provide clues on which way to turn next.

Admission to the maze is included with a Fall Festival Weekend admission. The corn maze, along with hayrides, access to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch, and more than 20 attractions is also included with tickets. Visitors can also try the corn maze 1 to 5 p.m. on October weekdays. Weekday tickets can be purchased at the Farm Market.

The South Brunswick farm also offers a Moonlight Maze which visitors can explore by flashlight. There also are nighttime hayrides and s'mores by a campfire.

Go: 519 Ridge Road, South Brunswick; vonthunfarms.com; 732-329-8656; admission varies.

Etsch Farms, Monroe

"The  Chicken & the  Egg" is the 2024 theme for Etsch Farms’ annual eight-acre corn maze. There is a crossword puzzle hidden throughout the maze for an extra challenge and a smaller corn maze as well.

A fourth-generation family-owned farm, activities and refreshments – like hayrides, a corn train, animals, apple cider donuts, slushies, pumpkin picking, the Bakery Barn and Barn Shop ? are open noon to 6 p.m. every weekend from Sept. 21 to Oct. 27.

Go: 556 Buckelew Ave., Monroe; etchfarms.com; 732-794-6785; $16 admission.

Everitt Farms, Ringoes

A working family farm since 1888, Everitt Farms continues the tradition of farming while incorporating agritourism with their corn maze.

Refreshments, a six-acre pumpkin patch, kids activities, music, games, fall décor and more are also onsite. The fall fun runs 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends from Sept. 28 to Oct. 27.

Go: 34 Toad Lane, Ringoes; everittfarm.com; 908-406-1090 or 908-407-6278; $8 admission.

Giamarese Farm and Orchards, East Brunswick

Family-owned Giamarese Farm and Orchards has been a staple in the area since 1941. Fall Harvest Weekends start Sept. 14 and run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 27.

The eight-acre corn maze is included in the Harvest Hayride experience, along with a farm tour. There are also pony rides, a petting zoo, a farmer's market, and pick-your-own pumpkins, apples, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant.

Go: 155 Fresh Ponds Road, East Brunswick; giamaresefarm.com; 732-821-9494; $10 admission.

More: Check out these fall events in Central Jersey during September and October

Howell Living History Farm, Lambertville

The 250-year-old Howell Farm hosts the longest-running corn maze in the Garden State. The four-acre maze has two miles of paths with a master tower, victory bridge, maze games and a theme of the American Quilt Maze for 2024. There is also a courtyard with a pumpkin patch, hayrides, food tent and children's haybale maze.

Go: 70 Woodens Lane, Lambertville; howellfarm.org; 609-737-3299; $10-$12 admission.

Linwood Fields, Monroe

Connected to Pop's Farm Market and Garden Center, Linwood Fields offers fall events such as wine tastings, food trucks, craft vendors, a bounce house, a petting zoo, pet adoptions, a corn maze, hayrides, pumpkin picking, and pick-your-own vegetables and flowers.

Go: 238 Cranbury Station Road, Monroe; https://popsfarmmarketandgardencenter.com/; 609-655-4175; free admission.

Melick's Town Farm, Califon

During October, Melick's Town Farm is filled with activities in its 200 acres of working farmland. There is a corn maze, weekend tractor wagon rides, farm animals, a tractor tire playground and pick-your-own or pre-picked fruits and vegetables.

Other treats include the farm's own hard cider and wine as well as baked goods. The Califon location is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday.

Go: 472 County Road 513, Califon; melickstownfarm.com; 908-832-2905; $4-$6 admission.

Norz Hill Farm and Market, Hillsborough

A family-run farm since 1922, Norz Hill Farm and Market hosts Fall Harvest Days on weekends through October and weekdays beginning Oct. 1.

This year's event includes a five-acre corn maze dedicated to helping kids with Duchesne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), while creating awareness for DMD through nonprofit organization Mile Monsters, Inc. A Mile Monsters Day is scheduled for Oct. 19.

Norz Hill Farm also offers farm tours with animal visits and a kids' corner with a bale maze, pumpkin patch, farm market, food stand and more. ScareFarm opens Sept. 27 and runs October weekend nights.

Go: 120 S. Branch Road, Hillsborough; norzhillfarm.com; 908-371-2697; $15 admission.

Red Wagon Farm, Monroe

Besides the corn maze, Red Wagon Farm also offers pumpkin picking, a petting zoo, hayrides, tug-of-war, a rock treasure hunt, tractor display, cornhole, pony rides, photo opportunities and food trucks, all on weekends.

GO: 136 Applegarth Road, Monroe; redwagonfarmnj.com; 609-468-7611; admission is free; certain activities including the corn maze have per-person fees.

Schaefer Farms and Farm of Horrors, Flemington

Schaefer Farms, owned and operated by the Schaefer family, has been farming for four generations. By day, take a hayride through 40 acres of pumpkins and find your way through the corn maze and hay maze. There are also corn cannons to try out and farm animals to feed.

By night, the farm becomes the Farm of Horrors with Halloween-themed activities and attractions including the Massacre Maize, Hayride of Horror, Trail of Terror and Carnival Chaos.

The day festivities are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 14 through Oct. 27.

Go: 1051 Route 523, Flemington; schaeferfarms.com; 908-782-2705; admission is $15-$18.

Snyder's Farm, Somerset

The Snyder's Farm corn maze joins more than 25 activities including a hay bale maze, pumpkin picking, apple cider, cider donuts, food trucks, giant slide, bowling, tunnels, rubber duck race, wooden train and boat, photo opportunity areas, and you-pick flowers.

Activities are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on October weekends. The last entry is 4:30 p.m.

Go: 586 South Middlebush Road, Somerset; snyders-farm.com; 732-496-0441; $24 admission.

West Portal Pumpkin Patch, Bethlehem

Besides two corn mazes at the 85-acre West Portal Pumpkin Patch, there is also an indoor hay maze and corn box for children 5 and under and an outdoor hay maze for children 6 and up. There are 45-minute hayrides that include pumpkin picking. Hot dogs, snacks and soda also are available.

The farm is open 2 to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 21 through October.

Go: 274 Asbury West Portal Road, Asbury; westportalpumpkinpatch.com; 908-479-1487; prices vary.

email: [email protected]

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: [email protected] or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ corn mazes: Visit these in Central Jersey during fall 2024