Early in June, we embarked on our annual family trip to Wells' Blueberry Farm in South Jersey. Tucked away in the Pine Barrens but close to Route 206, this "no-frills" farm has become a tradition for our family. Here's why we love it, and why we're already planning our next visit.

Arrival at the Farm

Pulling into the farm, we were greeted by the familiar sight of the rustic blueberry fields. Plenty of parking space, as always. We unloaded the kids, put on our hats, sunscreen and bug spray before heading to the farm building to pick up buckets for the berries.

Wagon Rides and Blueberry Picking

Our visit began with the classic wagon ride to the fields. No extra charge here, just a fun, free and fairly short ride to the fields. The ride takes us out to the fields to pick and the driver tells us a couple tips to find the best berries to pick.

Those blueberries? Plump, sweet, and delicious. The taste is incomparable to store-bought ones. We filled our buckets while our daughter "helped" by eating her entire bucket's worth. Double duty for me, but seeing her face covered in berry juice was worth every extra berry.

A Simple and Affordable Pleasure

Wells' Blueberry Farm is all about the simplicity of nature and family connection. No commercial gimmicks, just the pleasure of being outdoors and enjoying each other's company. And the cost? We left with pounds of blueberries, and all for less than $20 dollars, making Wells’ one of the most affordable farms we have visited.

Tips for Fellow Visitors

• Bring sunscreen and hats.

• Well’s farm has bug spray, but bring your own if you don’t want deet or prefer organic.

• Mornings are perfect to avoid the heat, especially if you have little ones.

• Planning for late-season picking? Check my review of DiMeo Farms.

Using all those Blueberries

What to do with all those fresh-picked blueberries? Our kids adore them as is, so many were devoured on the spot. But with several pounds of blueberries, we have more than enough to go share with friends and save for later.

We like to make blueberry pancakes, small enough to freeze for on-the-go snacks and perfect as a quick breakfast that the kids love. The natural sweetness of the farm-fresh berries makes it easy to leave out syrup or added sugars to keep things healthy and delicious.

Wanting to savor the taste of summer all year round, we also froze some of our haul. Though honestly, they rarely last until winter – they're just too tempting!

A Tradition We Love

For the past 3 years, Wells' Blueberry Farm has provided us with a relaxing and joyful escape. It's not just about the blueberries; it's about the time we spend together as a family. The simplicity, the authenticity, and the taste keep us coming back.

Join us next June? We'll be there, buckets in hand, ready for another blueberry adventure.