With Halloween just around the corner, we wanted to know who amongst us has been brave enough to visit one of the many local Haunted Hayrides here in Hunterdon County and the surrounding areas?  Which ones are the best (or worst)?  Share your spooky experiences with us, so others looking for some ghoulish fun can benefit!  We’ve listed some ideas below to get us started.  Be sure to leave your comments in the space below.

The Haunted Mill at the Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton, NJ
http://www.clintonhauntedmill.org/

Schaffer’s Farms Fright Festival in Flemington, NJ
http://www.schaeferfarms.com/fright.html

Grochowicz Farm in Glen Gardner, NJ
http://grochowiczfarms.com/cn/index.php/frightful_nights/

Dorney Park  Halloween Haunt – Allentown, PA

http://haunt.dorneypark.com/

Festival of Fears – Bucks County, PA
http://festivaloffears.com/mainpage.htm

Not that this is anywhere near us, but the very thought of it is quite scary.

Terror behind the walls
http://www.easternstate.org/halloween/directions/
Eastern State Penitentiary, Philiadelphia PA

Get the latest information on school closings and delays.  Click to:

WFMZ Storm Center or  NJ101.5

See the Hunterdon County Weather Forecast

On Christmas Eve, you can track Santa’s travels by visiting the NORAD website.  Follow his journey around the globe and make sure you’re in bed before he gets to you!

 Visit http://www.noradsanta.org/

Every once and a while we come across a website that is really neat, even as a parent you enjoy it. We are sharing some of our favorite holiday website finds with you here.  If you have a great site, let us know about it by posting it in the comments!

Make-A-Flake
Description: Browse a gallery of virtual snowflake designs or create a masterpiece of your own.

Website URL: http://snowflakes.barkleyus.com/

Hunterdon Moms Online Comments: We found this website when looking for instructions on how to make paper snowflakes for a class project. This version is soooo much fun! Kids and adults alike love to see what creations you can make and view the gallery of everyone else’s creation. You can even email your creations to a friend.

We encourage you to share your creation with us by posting your URL link in the comments below.

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Elf Yourself

Website URL: http://www.elfyourself.com/

Hunterdon Moms Online Comments:  This super fun site brought to us by Office Max is always a hit for the holiday season.  On this site you can upload up to four images at a time and then crop out your faces to add them to the bodies of dancing elves.  During the process you can even call a special phone number and record a personalized message to add to your clip.  The end result is your photos as dancing elves!

The whole process is absolutely amazing (like magic really) and the end result is hilarious.  We not only did our families but our pets as well!  The possibilities are endless fun and then you can email your creations to friends and family. 

We encourage you to share your creation with us by posting your URL link in the comments below.

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Disclaimer: Although we have checked each of these sites for appropriate content, we encourage you to preview the following sites before allowing your children to visit them. Due to the everchanging nature of the internet, we cannot be responsible for links to outside material over which we have no control.

The season for searching for that perfect Christmas Tree is upon us.  Take a look at our list of local Christmas Tree Farms to see where you will go this year.  We also have some farms listed from Warren County, NJ in case you want to make a day-trip of it!  Be sure to comment on this post and let us know your favorite place to get a tree!

Alger Tree Farm, Califon
Species…400 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir
Open…8:30-5 (Sat & Sun), Dec. 2 – 24
908-832-2298
www.algertreefarm.com

Black Oak Farm, Bethlehem Township
Species…900 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir, Canaan Fir, Mexican Border Pine
Open…9-5 (daily but closed Wednesdays), Nov. 24 – Dec. 17
Also: gift shop, wreaths, trimmings, refreshments
908-537-4133

Brightlands Christmas Tree Farm, Milford
608 Milford-Mt. Pleasant Rd
908-996-4681

Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree Farm, Milford
Species…2,000 trees; Douglas-fir
Open…10-4:30 (Fri, Sat, Sun), Nov. 24 – Dec. 24
Also: wreaths, trimmings, hayrides
908-995-4365 or 610-258-7305

Cherryville Farms, Franklin Township
Species…1,000 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas Fir, Concolor Fir, Canaan Fir
Open…9-dark (Sat & Sun), Nov. 25 – Dec. 24
Also: wreaths, refreshments, gift shop, trimmings, treewheelers
908-806-4580

http://www.cherryvillefarmsnj.com/

Cole’s Country Tree Farm, Alexandria Township
Species…600 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Pine, Douglas Fir
Open…9-5 (daily), Nov. 24 – Dec. 23
Also: wreaths, roping
908-735-5706

Deerfield Farm, Whitehouse Station
Also: gift shop, Precut Christmas trees, trimmings, refreshments, wreaths
908-534-2523

Demicco’s Farm, Pittstown
Species…500 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Spruce, White Pine, Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir, Balsam Fir
Open…8:30-dusk (Sat & Sun), Nov. 25 – Dec. 24
908-806-7638

Essig’s Trees, Glen Gardener
Species…200 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Spruce, Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir
Open…10-4 (Sat & Sun), Nov. 25 – Dec. 17. Early bird tagging on first three Sundays in Nov.
Also: wreaths, trimmings
908-537-2706

The Evergreen Farm, Lebanon
Species…500 trees; Blue Spruce, Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir
Open…10-5 (Fri, Sat, Sun), Nov. 18 – Dec. 17.
Also: precut trees, gift shop, refreshments, Santa Claus visits, trimmings, wreaths
908-236-9550

http://www.theevergreenfarm.com/

Holly Bough Plantation, Whitehouse Station
Open…9:30-5 (Sat & Sun), Nov. 24 – Dec. 23.
908-534-2622

http://www.hollyboughfarm.com/

Jugtown Mountain Christmas Tree Farm, Pattenburg
Species…400 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas-fir, Canaan Fir
Open…9-dusk (Fri, Sat, Sun), Nov. 25 – Dec. 17
Also: trimmings, wreaths
908-735-5593

Mac’s Trees, Clinton Township
Species…500 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas-fir, Scotch Pine
Open…dawn-dusk (Sat & Sun, most weekdays), Nov. 24 – Dec. 24
Phone: 908-236-2794

Merry Morris Tree Farm, Quakertown
Cut your own: (White Spruce, Fraser Fir, Blue Spruce, White Pine, Douglas-fir, Norway Spruce)
Also: gift shop, trimmings, wreaths
908-806-8733

Peaceful Valley Orchards, Pittstown
Precut and fresh cut trees: (Balsam and Fraser Firs)
Also: decorations, wreaths, boughs
Phone: 908-730-7748

Penwell Mountain Farm, Port Murray
Species…250 trees; Douglas-fir, Fraser Fir
Open…8-4:30 (Fri & Sat), 10-4:30 (Sun), Nov. 24 – Dec. 17
Also: Wreaths, holly, greens or garland, grave blankets
908-763-3064

Rosemont Tree Farm, Rosemont
Species…1,000 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Pine, Canaan Fir, Scotch Pine
Open…9-4:30 (Thu – Sun), Nov. 24 – Dec. 23
Also: Wreaths, holly, greens or garland, refreshments and handicapped accessible
609-397-1809

http://www.rosemonttreefarm.com/

Tewksbury Tree Farm, Tewksbury
Species…500 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Pine
Open…8:30-4:30 (Sat & Sun), Dec. 1 – Dec. 24
Also: Decorations, ornaments, stands and refreshments
973-751-4662

Wildflower Meadows, Pittstown
Species…300 trees; Norway Spruce, White Spruce, Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir
Open…8:30-5 (daily), Dec. 1 – Dec. 24
908-788-4975

Valley Brook Farm Market, Lebanon
Precut Christmas trees
Also: decorations, live nativity
Phone: 908-236-2959

And for those of you who like to make a day trip of it, check out some of these farms in nearby scenic Warren County, NJ

Apgar’s Cider Press, Harmony
908-859-2988
Open daily 10am-5pm. Choose-and-cut or pre-cut trees, also wreaths and grave blankets made on the premises. Store features fresh cider, preserves and country crafts.

Dutch Valley Tree Farm, Washington Township
908-689-0793
Open daily 9am-5pm, Nov. 19-Dec. 18. Pre-cut and choose-and-cut Christmas trees, wreaths, grave blankets, roping, arrangements and centerpieces.

Evergreen Valley Christmas Tree Farm, Washington                 
609-397-0615
71 Jackson Valley Road…From Washington at Route 57 and 31. Take Route 31 North 1.5 miles to Jackson Valley Rd./Route 628. Make left. 1200 feet to farm on left. Directions from I-78 and I-80 are available on our website.
Species…10,000 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Pine, Douglas-fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir, Scotch Pine
Open…9-dusk (daily) Closed Mondays, Nov. 27 – Dec. 23

http://www.evergreenvalleychristmastrees.com

Hidden Hollow Farm, Washington Township
908-689-5678
Open Friday-Sunday 10am-5pm. Choose-and-cut Christmas trees, Christmas shop with local arts, paintings and pottery, cider and refreshments available. Have an ox pull your cut tree in from the field. They also have some pre-cut trees. NJCTGA member.

Mt. Bethel Christmas Tree Farm, Port Murray
908-852-5811
Open Thursday-Sunday, 9am-dusk, but self-service tagging may be done at any time. Choose-and-cut trees, wreaths, garland, decorations, tree stands, free hot cider & cookies. NJCTGA member.

Mackey’s Orchard, Belvidere
908-475-1507
Open daily 9am-5:30pm. Decorated wreaths, grave blankets, roping & bundled greens, crafts, bakery/farm market with pies, cakes and cider, hot soup on weekends.
www.mackeysorchard.com.

Perfect Christmas Tree Farm, Phillipsburg
908-835-7840
Open daily 9:30am-dusk. Custom wreaths, garland and pre-cut trees; refreshments available and antique Christmas items on display.
www.perfectchristmastree.com.

Well-Sweep Herb Farm, Port Murray
908-852-5390
Visit their Christmas Barn, gift shop and greenhouse, and enjoy complimentary hot mulled cider and homemade cookies. Fresh, hand-decorated evergreen wreaths, sprays and arrangements available. Open Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm, plus Sundays 12/5 & 12/12, 12-5pm. Various courses offered where you can create your own projects (wreaths, centerpieces, etc.) Registration required.
www.wellsweep.com.

Wyckoff’s Christmas Tree Farm, Belvidere
908-475-4508
Open daily 8:30am-4pm. Choose-and cut, plus fresh cut trees. New for 2005: Christmas Country Gift Store offering wreaths, ornaments and gift items. NJCTGA Member. Due to short supply of trees this year, please check the web site or call for availability prior to making the trip.
www.wyckoffs.com

There are many pick-your-own local farm stands in Hunterdon County that are all ready to greet you with the best fall has to offer — pick-your-own apples, pumpkin picking, pumpkin patches, hayrides, corn mazes, indian corn, gourds, fall vegetables and so much more! Take a look at the list and plan your visit today!

Box J Farm
523 Bellwood Park Road, Asbury (Bethlehem Twp.)
(908) 479-2268 or (908) 419-7149

Open: Weekends in May & June, June 25 – September 5, dawn – dusk

Roadside Market: All produce certified organic heirloom and hybrid varieties, eggplant, zucchini, bush beans, sugar snap peas, tomatoes, sweet corn, peppers, sweet basil, cilantro

Pick Your Own: Red raspberries, blueberries

Also Available: Free range and 100% organic brown and white eggs
Please call ahead for u-pick

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Burjan’s Pumpkin Festival
524 Old York Rd
Flemington, NJ 08822
(908) 782-7654

Open: Weekends only starting the last weekend in September and through October. We are also open on Columbus day. We open at 10:00 AM and hayrides begin between 11:00 AM and 12 PM. The last hayride goes out around 5:30 pm.

Available: pumpkins, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, straw or hay bale maze, child-sized haybale maze, prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, tractor-pulled hay rides, face painting.

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Chia-Sin Farms
215 Quakertown Rd., Quakertown
(908) 730-7123

Open: June – October, Daily, 8 am – 6 pm

Roadside Market: Vegetables

Pick Your Own: Chinese vegetables; tomatoes; peppers; hot peppers; squash; eggplant

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Ercolano’s Nursery and Farm Market
1521 Rt 22 E
Annandale, NJ 08801
908 735 2575

Jersey Fresh Produce

Full line of highest quality nursery stock. Seasonal products: Spring Flowers, Annuals, Pumpkins, Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, etc.

Open: April – December, Daily 8am to 6pm

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Grochowicz Farm Market
2401 Rt. 31 South, Glen Gardner
(908) 537-4332
www.grochowiczfarms.com

Open: April – December

Roadside Market: Tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, sweetcorn, pumpkins, gourds

Pick Your Own: Pumpkins

Also Available: Hand-dipped ice cream, baked goods, Indian corn, straw, fall decorations, fall haunted hay rides, school & group tours

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Hillsboro Farm
219 Hillsborough Road
Hillsborough NJ
908-500-0803

Open: July-September, daily from 10-6; October, weekends only 10-6

Roadside Market: All produce is Jersey Fresh and will vary by season: sweet corn, tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, eggplant, zucchini, apples, pumpkins, squash, indian corn, gourds and more

Pick Your Own: pumpkins, squash and gourds via hayride to the picking field

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Melick’s Orchards
472 Rt. 513, Califon
(908) 832-2905
www.melickstownfarm.com

Open: July – Oct., Daily, 9 am – 6 pm

Roadside Market: Apples, peaches, nectarines, melons, pears, plums, cauliflower, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, lettuce, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes, zucchini, flowers

Pick Your Own: Apples, peaches, pumpkins

Also Available: Hay, honey, cider, cider donuts, jams/jellies, Indian corn, corn stalks, gourds, Halloween decorations, weekend hayrides mid-Sept. – Oct.

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Melick’s Town Farm (at the Cider Mill)
19 King St., Oldwick
(908) 439-3888
www.melickstownfarm.com

Farm market: daily 9 am – 6 pm, April – December

PYO: September – mid-November, call or visit web site for harvest dates & hours

Roadside Market: Apples, blueberries, cherries, melons, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, strawberries, winter squash, asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, lettuce, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, snap beans, yellow squash, tomatoes, zucchini

Pick Your Own: Strawberries, apples, pumpkins, flowers

Also Available: Cider, cider donuts, cider dogs, Indian corn, jams, jellies, Halloween decorations, hay, gourds, flowers, corn stalks, herbs, Christmas trees, wreaths, weekend hayrides mid-September – October; School tours available; WIC and Senior FMNP checks accepted

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North Slope Farm
386 Rock Rd. East , Lambertville
(609) 466-8330

Open: May – October, Wednesday 10 am – 6 pm

Roadside Market: Fresh vegetables

Pick Your Own: Flowers, cherry tomatoes

Also Available: Flowers

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Peaceful Valley Orchards
150 Pittstown Rd.,
Pittstown, NJ 08867
Phone: (908)730-7748 or (908)713-1705
www.peacefulvalleyorchards.com

Open: April – December, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 6:30pm, Sat. & Sun. 9 am – 5:30 pm

Roadside Market: Apples: all varieties, peaches, cherries, apricot, tomatoes (heirlooms included), peppers, zucchini, eggplant, winter squash, pumpkins, apple cider, baked goods.

Pick Your Own: Strawberries, apples, pumpkins, cut flowers

Also Available: Farm Camp (ages 7 – 10), Fall Craft Show, Fall Festival

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Phillips Farms
290 Church Rd., Milford
(908) 995-0022
www.phillipsfarms.com

Open: June thru October, Daily

Roadside Market: Strawberries; asparagus; tomatoes; sweet corn; peaches; melons; apples; pumpkins

Pick Your Own: Red raspberries; strawberries; blueberries; apples; peaches; blackberries

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Schaefer Farms
1051 County Road 523, Flemington
(908) 788-2982
www.schaeferfarms.com

Open: April 1 – November 1, Daily, 9 am – 6 pm

Roadside Market: Pumpkins, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, raspberries, thornless blackberries, zucchini, squash, Indian corn

Pick Your Own: Pumpkins, raspberries, thornless blackberries, flowers

Also Available: Jersey Fresh Cooks cookbook, eggs, pumpkins, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, haunted corn maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, haunted hayrides, honey from hives on the farm, prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours

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Sun Meadow Farm
certified organic farm
615 Old York Road
Neshanic Station, NJ (Readington Twp. near Three Bridges)
908-782-2114
sunmeadowfarm@patmedia.net

OPEN: Sat. & Sun. Oct. 6&7 and 13&14 10am-5pm for pick-your-own organic pumpkins and decorative gourds, free hayrides and free pumpkin painting. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

Also available at other times for groups by arrangement.

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The Raspberry Field
452 County Road 579, Milford / Alexandria Twp.
(908) 479-6658

Open: Late June – July & September – October, Daily, sun-up to sun-down

Pick Your Own: Raspberries (red, black), black currants, gooseberries

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Valley Brook Farm Market
Rt. 22 East, Lebanon
(908) 236-2959

Open: Daily Mar. – Dec., 8 AM – 7 PM

Roadside Market: Jersey Fresh Produce

Pick Your Own: Pumpkins

Also Available: Full line of Nursery Stock, Flowers, Unique Garden Decor, Fall Hay Rides (public, groups, schools), Christmas Decorations inc. The Freshest Christmas Trees, Live Christmas Nativity

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Valley Crest Farm
14 Allerton Road, Lebanon
908-238-9696

Open: July – December, Sat. & Sun. 10am to 3pm

Roadside Market: Peaches; Apples; Berries

Pick Your Own: Peaches; Apples; Berries

Also Available: Christmas Trees; Wood Crafts; Preserves

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West Portal Pumpkin Patch
274 Asbury West Portal Road
Asbury, NJ 08802
(908) 479-1487

Open: Opening day September 26, 2009 Saturday and Sunday 10am till 5pm Thursday and Friday from 2pm till 5pm, Open Columbus Day October 12, 2009 from 10am till 5pm.

Available: pumpkin patch-pick in the field, corn maze, straw or hay bale maze, child-sized haybale maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, events at your location (call for info).

Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset and Hunterdon Counties run a free Garden Helpline service that runs from April through October. Residents can call with questions or bring in their samples of tree limbs, insects, flowers and all things horticultural.  The Helpline is staffed by Volunteer Master Gardeners and is open Monday thru Friday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Monday and Wednesday: 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m beginning March 30th.

Residents of Hunterdon County can make phone inquiries to 908-788-1339 or bring samples to the Helpline office at 4 Gauntt Place in Fleminton. For more information visit www.NJAES.Rutgers.edu

Pumpkin picking season is upon us and so we were wondering, exactly where are the best places to pick pumpkins in Hunterdon County, NJ.  We want to hear from you, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know where your family goes to get their pumpkins.  Tell us what is so great about it and what makes it special or fun! Click through to read comments already posted from others!

Stanton Learning Center Farmers Market (Stanton)
The Market runs every Thursday from 3:30-7:30 until September 24th, We are located at 1 Stanton Mountain Road, off of Rt. 629 in the parking lot of the Stanton Reformed Church.  We have 7 vendors supplying beef, chicken, seasonal produce (including organic), bread, cheese, excellent frozen pasta and crab cakes, bedding plants, mushrooms, all natural ice cream, pies, cakes, cookies and much more.  Our vendors include, Schaefer Farmes, Farview Farms, Millstone River Creamery, Highlands Gourmet, Green Gourmet, High Mountain Foods,and Beckage Farms. Stop by to support our local farmer’s and businesses.  Questions and interested vendors contact Andrea at 908-236-0917.  For diretions visit our website at www.stantonlearningcenter.com

Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market (Flemington – Dvoor Farm)
Farmers’ Market Open for the Season thru November 1st
Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm, buy local seasonal fruits and vegetables, cheese, meats, honey, flowers and more. Producers/Farmers interested in participating, please call Meg Metz: 908-625-8241 or call the Hunterdon Land Trust: 908-237-4582 or visit http://www.hlta.org/dvoor_market.php

Farmers’ Market (Flemington)
Sundays through the summer: Liberty Village Premium Outlets Market is held every Sunday, through November 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit the market for fresh vegetables, delicious fruits, herbs, fresh baked pies and cakes. 1 Church Street, Flemington, NJ. Call 908-782-8550.

Farmers’ Market (Washington)
Fridays through August: Shoppers will find vegetables, baked goods, homemade sausage, herbs and fresh picked flowers. Route 57, Washington, NJ. Call 908-689-4800 or visit www.washingtonbid.org.

High Bridge Open Air Market
June­ – October: The annual High Bridge Open Air Market takes place every Saturday morning from June through October between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. It combines crafters, antique dealers and farmers in the outdoor setting of the Borough Commons on Main Street in picturesque High Bridge, NJ. Visit www.highbridge.org.

With the warm weather here, there is nothing better than hitting the yard sales, tag sales and some of the great Flea Markets we have in our area.  Here’s some ideas to get you started.  Leave a comment to let us know your favorite places to find those great bargains and treasures!

The kids will love visiting Bonnie the Bunny Lady’s Booth at Rice’s!

Rice’s Market
6326 Greenhill Road
New Hope, PA 18938
215-297-5993
www.ricesmarket.com

Open Year Round on Tuesdays
7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Saturdays (March-December)
7 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
*Tuesdays are the best days to go!

Golden Nugget Flea Market
1850 River Road / Route 29
Lambertville, NJ 08530 
609-397-0811
www.gnmarket.com

OPEN YEAR ROUND!
Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday
6:00AM to 4:00PM