I have been here several times and I always wonder why I return. Slim pickings and owners are so cranky towards children. Way to many other places to go for a better experience. read more

Not bad! Price is a little high though. You have many apples to choose from and only the best pumpkins are shown! Not crowded at all. Will be back next year! read more

So disappointing. The farms is poorly managed and has skated by on being the only farm in the immediate area besides Wightman's in Morristown. I could have understood if there were long waits due to overcrowding since I was there in the peak of apple picking season, but instead we had long waits due to mismanagement. Upon arriving at the farm, we found parking in the small, but adequate parking lot. Just up from the parking lot is the entrance way with a store and stand selling tractor tickets to get up to the apple orchards and pumpkin patch. We waited in line for tractor tickets for about 15 minutes (we were second in line, it wasn't long at this point) and no one told us why. The employee instead stood behind the counter chit chatting with someone while all the customers asked each other "do you know what's going on?". Turns out that they were waiting for the next tractor to return. That makes sense and it would have been very easy to say so, but instead the employee just ignored everyone. Once we got the tractor tickets, we got on line for the tractor. You take a tractor up to the PYO areas, no walking allowed. There wasn't room on the first tractor, so we waited for the second. No big deal... until we waited another 15 minutes. Then, once we filled up the tractor, we waited again... and waited... and waited. About 20 more minutes into the latest wait I asked the employee behind the counter what was happening. Turns out that there was only one tractor driver for two tractors. Considering that the PYO wasn't that far away, even that should not have made it take so long, but for some reason it did. And the employee's explanation was "oh hahahaha, that's what it's like on a farm hahaha." No apology, no "we're trying our best to get back on track". By this point the line to get the tractor tickets was a mile long and I don't think the employee explained what was happening to them either. We finally get up to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch. The farm isn't that big to begin with, and on this Sunday in September they had about six rows of apples open. There was a fair amount of apples on the trees, but you really had to search for a ripe, good apple. The pumpkin patch was, as they put it, "back this way, down a very steep hill. It really is very steep, so be careful." Most of the people I saw didn't even try to go down to the pumpkin patch because of a) the apparently treacherous journey, and b) once they saw a return tractor, they jumped on it least they get stuck in the orchard for another half hour. I'm not kidding about that last point - people were getting off the tractor and getting back on the next one they saw because they didn't want to get stuck. A few minutes here and there isn't a big deal, but when you have a couple of young kids, asking them to be patient for almost an hour when they're excited to go apple and pumpkin picking is nearly impossible. I won't return to Hillview Farms. The only reason I'm giving it two stars instead of one is that my kid liked the chickens and peacocks roaming around freely by the entrance. read more

This farm has an excellent selection of apple picking fields with many varieties. The little store has great apple cider donuts but come early they go quickly. The store also has a selection of organic produce. The staff is friendly and helpful. There are farm animals to see and tractors to play on for the kids. Although the price of apples can be considered expensive, consider the experience and the quality and selection of apples and enjoy! read more

What I really liked about this place was that they had chickens and peacocks wandering around and some penned up guinea hens.They also sell what appears to be good produce with an emphasis on apples.I bought some cider made by Melicks and some corn. read more

What a joke! Parking is horrendous, extremely overpriced, disgustingly dirty, but what I find the worst is how rude and outright nasty the owner is. Don't waste your time or money on this xxxx hole! Time to rip it down and get some nice houses there! read more

Went blueberry picking today and had a great time. Gillette is one of the nicest areas of NJ I have ever been to. Really reminds me of CT farms. It's about a 45 min drive from Teaneck, NJ (Closest place I found that had blueberries). The blueberries were awesome and I spent less money than I thought I would. Costs $5 picking fee and the blue berries were $3.45/lb. read more

My family and I love blueberry picking here. The season for it is pretty short-I believe it's just 2-3 weeks in late June/early July, but if you live in the area it's well worth a trip over there to pick some fresh blueberries. At 3.99 a pound it's not cheap, but I find it worth it. read more

Great place to take the family for "pick your own" or go yourself to get some locally grown produce for your recipes. Its especially great in the summertime when its less busy and many fruits/vegetables are in season. I took my kids in July to pick peaches and it was great. The kids got to experience a working farm, pick peaches, and visit the chickens, roosters, etc. near the store in the barn. Although some people have complained that its expensive, this farm is a small family operation and its actually very costly to run a fruit and vegetable farm in NJ (labor, insurance, etc.). The grocery store can offer comparable prices on some items b/c they are dealing w/ large agribusiness and a mechanized supply chain. Hillview Farms is local produce which is a totally different business model from the supermarket. The difference between Hillview Farms and the supermarket is that the fruit and vegetables from Hillview Farms were likely picked w/in 24 hours of you buying them. If you do pick your own, you pick them right from the orchard or the field. There is a really cool view from the top of the orchard. read more

Pick a different place to spend your money and your time. If you're looking for apples, they don't have any on the trees, at least not the trees you're allowed to access. We walked all around the very messy and poorly marked orchard and came back with no apples. To add to the experience, as we approached the orchard there was a nice "friendly" sign, stating "Don't even THINK about touching these apples." read more

One of my favorite places in NJ. First of all, the setting is incredibly beautiful. It is a treat to be here in the first place. The views from the hill are marvelous. Secondly, the apples are delicious. I often find many types of apples when we go here each year. My favorites are the winesaps and the empires. Thirdly, the prices are reasonable. Lastly, the farm is well run. We rarely have to wait very long to get our apples weighed and priced. All in all, a very nice place. Parking is plentiful as well. This is not an all day trip and they don't have much cooked food on site or much of anything else. You have to pay for the mandatory hayride up the hill. But it's a nice place to spend an hour or two each fall and get some deliciously fresh apples. read more

This farm is one of the last authentic family-run farms in NJ. The produce is picked daily in small quantities, and you get what you pay for. It is not the fanciest or most exciting farm in the area, but if you are looking for fresh produce and to support a legit local business, this is the place. It is the most peaceful place during the off-season. Blueberries and peaches are amazing. For apple picking, it can be a mad house on weekends in the Fall- plan to come early in the day and you will be fine. Otherwise just be prepared to wait in potentially long lines while eating delicious apple cider donuts. read more

Place is un kept but it is a farm so I could overlook the mess. What I can't deal with was how horribly I was treated by a man I believe was the owner. He was extremely rude and I will never go back. read more

Bad experience from the start. Found a large pile of old wood screws where they have parking. HAVE to go for tractor ride for $3. Per person. Apples are $1.99, until it's time to pay. Then the price becomes $2.99 due to you having premium apples. Found shot gun shells all around the orchard, so I suspect the other reviews of dead deer parts to be truthful. Orchard looks generally unkept. Will not be going there again read more

Thought we would try this place since it is so close to our home. Will never go back. We got there and there was a huge line, but figured it would move quickly. Literally an hour and a half later, we got on a tractor. Had to pay $3 a person (including kids) to take the tractor for what was maybe a quarter mile walk up the hill to the top of the orchard. If they wanted to charge admission, fine, but dont make me wait an hour and a half to get on a tractor... Just charge at the entrance. By the time we got to the orchard our kids were restless and we were livid, so not exactly the most enjoyable time. Pretty view but the orchards seemed fairly unkempt and the tractor experience was miserable. read more

First, the farm it is in a beautiful setting. Second, if you just want to purchase already picked fruit and vegetables in their store, it's wonderful. The cashiers in the store are friendly, fast and very helpful. The prices are reasonable too. HOWEVER, if you want to pick your own I can not recommend this farm. We were there on a Sunday afternoon, and wanted to pick pumpkins. We were told by the outside staff the wait was half an hour and the tractors came every 10-15 minutes. The first 45 minutes we were there, we didn't see ANY tractors.. After an hour and a half outside in the windy cold air, we were finally next in line to pay $3 per person for a tractor ride to the pumpkin field. We would have had to wait MUCH LONGER but many people just gave up and went home. The tractor we were to be on broke down, and we had to wait another 10 minutes for the driver to change out the tractor. We got into a wood cart attached to the tractor, which was very broken down and the seats are loose and unstable. After a 3-5 minute ride, we arrived at the apple picking area, which was all picked. We were told to walk down a steep path to the pumpkin field, which turned out to be a small plowed patch of field with cut pumpkins laying about. HALF IF NOT MORE of the pumpkins were rotton, and the field needed to be restocked badly (there were not many left). I doubt the tractor load behind us were able to get any decent pumpkins. We rushed to get back on the tractor, pay for our small pumpkins, and head home. It was a huge dissappointment, espically for the 4 year old and 7 year old. read more

Definitely would not go back here! We had to stand in line for over an hour just to buy a ticket to get on the tractor. We could have walked 2 minutes to reach the apples but they won't let you walk just so you have to pay the fee to get on the tractor. They really push for you to buy one type of apple, without disclosing that those are the most expensive ones. By the time we were done with the apples, all the donuts were gone! They don't even make their own donuts...instead they get them trucked in and they ran out by 3. We will not be going back to this orchard. read more

We went peach picking in late August with our two sons. It was disgusting. Similar to what another person wrote, we discovered a dead deer. Thankfully, my kids didn't see it. The dead deer, plus the trash everywhere (e.g. discarded tile), and unfriendly service equals an "avoid-at-all-costs" rating. Just terrible, and really disappointing. read more

Went yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. My kids got to feed the chickens an ear of corn. Then we took short tractor and wagon ride to apples. We picked a few and headed down the steep path to the pumpkin patch. We got two nice pumpkins and headed back to the shop. At the shop, we bought cider, donuts and a really good pumpkin pie. Was a great, short, uncrowded trip. Will certainly go again next year. read more

Had a great day at Hillview farms on an Indian Summer day. Enjoyed the friendly and knowledgable staff, option to pick our own apples or buy the farm's, produce/other selection, peacocks, chickens and honeybees. This farm is the real deal! read more

We gave Hillview a try this afternoon despite mixed reviews on yelp. My boyfriend and I just wanted a nice apple-picking experience away from the city. We really enjoyed our time there. Of course as everyone complained, the tractor ride costs $5 per person but the experience and the view of the orchard is totally worth it. When we rode into the orchard, the staff explained what type of apples were available, how to properly pick apples, and really encouraged the visitors to take their time and enjoy the experience. We loved how trees were labeled, especially what was on and off-limits for picking. Theres also a pumpkin patch, chickens, peacocks, bee hives for their honey collection, and a store to buy fresh produce, cider donuts, honey, etc. Overall, a great experience and we look forward to visiting next year. read more

This farm has the best fresh apples that I have ever tasted. In addition, their produce, which they sell in the cute little farm store, is all extremely delicious and fresh. The owner of the farm, Farmer Skeeter, does all the work himself and is so knowledgeable about all things having to do with farming. It is just such a relaxed and friendly environment, it makes one want to come back. I definitely recommend, however, that people should come during the week, Monday through Friday, to go apple picking and check out the scenery. Tractors don't run during the week so the pick-your-own involves a walk up to the orchard which is absolutely worth it. Pumpkin picking is also only on Saturdays and Sundays but there are hundreds of large and small beautiful pumpkins for purchase in and around the store. During the week it is a very mellow atmosphere which is perfect because all your questions can be thoroughly answered by the staff in the store and you don't have to wait in lines at all. The worker in the store can tell you really fascinating things about the farm and the animals since she doesn't have loads of customers that need tending. She can even let you feed the chickens or pet a baby chick! I know this farm also does educational tours during the week where schools and groups of young children come for a walking tour of the working farm. All I hear is good feedback from parents and teachers who have been on this tour, the staff really tries to give everyone a nice experience, in hopes they will come back. Overall, a trip here is completely satisfying if you just avoid those busy weekend days. What you miss during the week, like going up in the tractor, going to the pumpkin patch, or having a cup of hot cider, is made up for with a store that has no lines, no crowds, and no tensions because of the rush of all the people. Another thing I'd like to add. I went one day on the weekend and the tractor took us up into the orchard where the person on the tractor clearly explained the rules and directions of apple picking. He gives directions for a reason and if he tells people not to pick a certain type of apple or to stay out of certain areas, these directions need to be followed. I happened to be on a tractor with some people who were eating the apples as they were picking (that is absolutely the same as stealing) and didn't follow directions and picked the wrong apple or were not listening when they were told certain apples are more expensive and you have to pay for everything that you pick. When everyone returned to the store, it is very rude and disrespectful to the staff and to the farmer, whose family has owned the farm for 6 generations, to refuse to pay for apples that you have picked or to throw out apples from your basket to suit your needs. There is a lot of time and labor put into having a plentiful crop for everyone's enjoyment and fresh food needs and to throw away good apples because you don't want to pay for too many though you picked them all, is horrifying and brash. I just thought I would add this little story to point out that the staff tries to accommodate the needs of hundreds of people at a time the best they can and the barbaric attitudes some people carry with them because they have to wait in a line is tremendously unnecessary. If you're looking for a fun day out, definitely try Hillview Farms! The tractors are a nice experience, exciting for the kids, and the lines are truly not bad at all. Especially when you have hot or cold cider and some donuts to snack on! read more

What a disappointment. It was required that you pay $5 for a hayride in order to pick apples. There was only one driver and the hayride only left every 30 minutes. There were about 50 people ahead of us and the wagon only hold about 20. When one of the female employees rudely stated that if you didn't have cash you should get out of line and that they reused the tickets so don't throw them out I decided to leave. Glad they reuse the tickets but when it means you can't sell any until the tractor comes back with the tickets you are taking it too far. read more

My college-aged daughter & legally blind friend had an awful experience. Apparently, they refused to allow them there because of the seeing eye dog. The manager yelled at them, which made my daughter's friend cry. Not nice. Don't be a patron here. read more

This farm has the best apples and the staff provides good information regarding what types of apples and location in orchard. Also it is very close, would recommend. read more

Friendly staff, great apples. We went late on a Sunday, so the lines weren't too long. The tractor driver told us to eat an apple freshly picked off the tree to see if we liked that variety; told us what was where; and was very helpful answering questions. The weekend tractor ride is a pain; but it's their way of keeping things a little bit in order with crowds. We were allowed to walk back down the hill - not a long walk at all. Weekdays are much better if you can manage it; but the fresh and delicious apples are worth the wait for the tractor. read more