Demarest Farm, Hillsdale

"Aunt Annie's Fruit Stand in Hillsdale, NJ." There was a time when any piece of mail marked with this destination would find its way to Demarest Farms. In the early 1900s, Annie Demarest set up a roadside stand to sell the fruit that her brother, Lincoln, had begun growing in orchards on their family's farm. The orchards were a new addition to land originally purchased in 1886 by the Demarest family, who had been farming American soil since the 17th century. Demarest Farms started out with mostly cattle and chickens, but Lincoln's orchards soon became famous, attracting visitors from around the region for juicy peaches, strawberries, apples, and other fruits.

The fruits helped Demarest Farms blossom into what it is today: a farm with a large onsite market offering just-picked produce and complimentary fresh air. In the 1970s, Lincoln's grandson, Peter, introduced pick-your-own adventures, which are still popular with visitors today. After trekking out into the orchards or pumpkin patches to pluck fruit so fresh the paint might still be wet, guests return to the market, where they can visit the ice-cream parlor, delicatessen, or country bakery. The market has a few modern features as well, including a salad bar and a shop with seasonal and gourmet foods.