Sweater weather is finally here and we’ve raked up a towering pile of cool-weather things to do. Read on for twenty amazing New Jersey fun fall activities that you can enjoy all season long.
1. Tour a winery
With more than 50 wineries nestled throughout New Jersey’s verdant valleys, there are plenty of opportunities for wine tasting and scenic strolls through seemingly endless rows of grapevines. Navigate our Northern Wine Trail. Swirl and sniff through our Central Wine Trail. Or sip and savor varietals in our Southern Wine Trail.
2. Take a scenic drive
Exit the highway and cruise New Jersey with Scenic Byway Itineraries highlighting iconic routes noted for natural, recreational, cultural, historical and archaeological qualities. Traverse this showcase of roads less traveled, away from the hustle and bustle, to discover diverse landscapes and experience the heart and soul of The Garden State.
3. Watch feathered friends take flight
Throughout New Jersey, you’ll find a number of wilderness areas dotted with coastal marshes, ponds and forested islands ideal for bird watching. During the fall months, spot migratory species from a network of trails at Cape May Point State Park or make your way to Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Basking Ridge.
4. Spend a day at the spa
Before the hectic holiday season kicks off, relax and rejuvenate with a day of pampering at one of the many spas in New Jersey. Book a treatment and unwind in the Roman baths at Qua Bath & Spa at Caesars in Atlantic City. Indulge in a Dermalinfusion Facial at Alchemy Mind and Body in Princeton. Or unwind in the Himalayan Salt Sauna at SoJo Spa Club in Edgewater.
5. Spy fall foliage
Fall means blazing colors of crimson, gold and orange washing across the mountainsides. Take in the breathtaking foliage at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, where you can hike part of the iconic Appalachian Trail. At High Point State Park in Sussex, trek to the summit of the Kittatinny Ridge for sweeping views of the Poconos, Catskills and the Wallkill River Valley. Allamuchy Mountain State Park in Stanhope offers several waterways, so you can enjoy the reflections of dazzling fall colors in their glassy surfaces.
6. Feast at a food festival
From local specialties to bold beers, there’s no doubt about it: fall is food and drink season in New Jersey. Take a bite out of the Garden State’s favorite meat at the 5th Annual Pork Roll Palooza in Phillipsburg on October 14, 2023. Sip your way through a variety of brews at Beers on the Boards in Point Pleasant on November 4, 2023. Or search our events calendar for even more upcoming festivals.
7. Go on a bike ride
Explore New Jersey’s natural beauty on two wheels. The 42.6-mile Pine Barrens River Ramble meanders through forests, blueberry fields and cranberry bogs as well as along scenic rivers. For an oceanfront journey, pedal the Cape May Shoreline Ride, a 46.4-mile loop beginning and ending at Cape May Lighthouse and passing by numerous other points of interest along the way, including Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary, Cape May Park & Zoo and The Wetlands Institute.
8. Pick your own apples
Feel the sun on your face and take part in a Garden State fall tradition when you pick your own bushel of fresh apples right from the orchards. At the family-owned Battleview Orchards in Freehold, take your pick – quite literally – of flavorful apple varieties from early September and throughout the season, whether you enjoy Honey Crisp, Jonagold, Rome Beauty, Cameo, Fuji or others.
9. Stay at a romantic B&B
Rekindle the flame this fall with a weekend getaway to a New Jersey bed and breakfast, where you’ll find charming surroundings and personalized service. Visit the Victorian-style Mathis House in Toms River or the historic Inn at Millrace Pond in Hope. For an oceanfront escape, try one of these bed and breakfasts near the beach.
10. Visit a pumpkin patch
It wouldn’t be harvest season without some roasted pumpkin seeds and jack-o-lanterns, so bring the kids to Red Wagon Farm Market in Manalapan to choose from countless varieties of pumpkins –including ENORMOUS prize-winners – to pluck right from the vine. In East Brunswick, you can head to the pumpkin patch to PYO and browse other decorative seasonal selections at Giamarese Farm & Orchards.
11. Fill up on comfort food
This is the season to enjoy delicious, hearty handheld foods. From the Fat Sam (pork roll, American cheese, bacon, fried egg and homefries on a sub roll) at Taylor Sam’s in Brick to burgers and “freak shakes” at The Red Hen in Swedesboro and everywhere in between, there's no shortage of decadent eateries in the state.
12. Shop 'til you drop
Whether you want to stock up on cozy essentials for cold weather or start checking things off your holiday shopping list, New Jersey has plenty of outlets for bargain finds, as well as high-end shopping malls for luxury labels. For even more unique finds, stroll down one of the many charming main streets in towns throughout the state for the best boutique shopping.
13. Try your luck in the casinos
Feeling lucky? Hit Atlantic City for the thrilling action of table games, slots and more. Play and stay in upscale casino resorts – including Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Ocean Resort Casino and Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa – where restaurants, entertainment and nightlife abound. And be sure to check out all the casinos in New Jersey.
14. Explore a museum
When the weather is cool and blustery, head indoors to explore an array of exciting exhibits. See incredible artwork at Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University or the WheatonArts in Millville. Peer into the past at the New Jersey State Museum or the Museum of NJ Maritime History. Or follow your passion to one of the many other museums in New Jersey.
15. Get a monstrous thrill
Always good for a scream, Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson presents its always-popular Fright Fest, where terrifying scare zones and ghoulish live entertainment rival the fearsome rides and roller coasters.
16. Journey through a corn maze
Let the kids loose – or play a little hide-and-seek – in the colossal corn mazes at Atlantic Farm Market in Manasquan, Heaven Hill Farm in Vernon and Happy Day Farm in Manalapan. These fresh fields also feature a frenzy of fall fun for your family. Be sure to check their websites for details and tickets.
17. Plot your escape
Pirates, magicians and wizards are just some of the foes you can choose at Amazing Escape Room in Green Brook. For an extra spooky challenge, opt for the Murder She Wrote challenge, held in the dark and recommended for ages 15 and older. Or experience the excitement of Escape May Escape Room in Cape May, where challenges include saving London from an evil mastermind and escaping a medieval dungeon to find a magical sword.
18. Go on a hayride
Whether pulled by a horse or a tractor, a good ol’ fashioned hayride is the perfect way to celebrate fall while enjoying the crisp, clean air of the great outdoors. Take the little ones for a spin at Johnson’s Corner Farm in Medford, where the wagon ride is just one of the fun experiences in store as part of their Fall Festival Weekends. VonThun Farms in Dayton hosts fall fun with hayrides and other sensational seasonal activities.
19. Explore a frightening farm
For really big kids looking for pure terror, take them to a nearby haunted attraction, where jump scares lurk around every corner. Visit Night of Terror in Mullica Hill or Farm of Horrors in Flemington for some scary-good fun.
20. Greet some ghosts
Join Paranormal’s pro guides for the Ghosts and Legends of the Downtown Tour of Asbury Park. Down in Cape May, a trolley can usher you around as your psychic guide introduces you to this historic Victorian town’s haunted past.
Before you go: check out the official websites and social media pages of destinations for up-to-the-minute dates, times and details. Of course, New Jersey brings the wows year-round. Download our free travel guide and sign-up for our e-newsletter for even more trip inspiration.
