Family-Friendly Harvest Activities & Halloween Events

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1. Go apple picking: There’s a reason New Jersey is known as the Garden State: We have acres and acres of farmlands and orchards. Take a trip to the Skylands Region to explore festive fall farm events and pick your own apples at one of the area’s picturesque orchards. Set your GPS to  Alstede Farms in Chester, where you can select from more than 50 tasty apple varieties, all ripe for the picking. Or head to Mackey’s Orchard in Belvidere, where you’ll hop aboard a hayride to reach the 45-acre mountaintop orchard (Bonus: The Delaware Water Gap view is free!). Don’t forget to stop at Mackey’s Apple Bakery for their famous Mile High Apple Pie before you leave.

2. Visit a pumpkin patch: All the best Halloween activities for kids have one thing in common: Pumpkins! It wouldn’t feel like harvest season without jack-o-lanterns lighting the porch or pumpkin seeds roasting in the oven. That means a trip to one of New Jersey’s classic pumpkin patches and corn mazes is a must. Bring the kids to Red Wagon Farm Market in Manalapan to see some ENORMOUS prize-winners and choose from a huge variety of pumpkins to pluck from the vine. Stay for kid-friendly activities like cornhole, tug of war and a rock treasure hunt. Head to the Delaware River Region to Duffield's Farm & Market in Sewell for more fall festivities, including a fun-filled hayride to the pumpkin patch to PYOP (Pick Your Own Pumpkin). Be sure to stock up on warm apple cider doughnuts from the bakery, too.
    
3. Take a hayride: Pulled by a horse or a tractor, a good ole fashioned hayride is the perfect way to celebrate the season and savor the cool fall weather. Take the kids for a spin at Springdale Farms in Cherry Hill, VonThun Country Farm & Market in South Brunswick, Melick’s Town Farm in Oldwick and Atlantic Farm Market in Manasquan. Make a day of it and you’ll return home with fresh produce, fall flowers and lasting memories.
    
4. Wander through a corn maze: Lose yourself in Central Jersey this fall with a journey through the four-acre corn maze at Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell. The state’s longest-running corn maze, this seasonal favorite includes two miles of paths, lively music and maze games with hidden clues. For an even bigger challenge, venture through the colossal eight-acre corn maze at Etsch Farms in Monroe Township. Make your visit to this fourth-generation family-owned farm an annual tradition to experience a new maze theme each year. Drive southeast toward the Shore Region and you’ll find another corn maze with fun fall activities at Bullock Farms in Cream Ridge. Bring the little ones to see the farm animals and take on the kid’s maze. Adults can wind their way through six acres of towering corn stalks or climb above them and scope out spectacular farm views from the lookout platform. 

5. Visit a zoo: Fall is a fantastic time to visit a zoo. With cooler temperatures, the animals are more active, making for a truly unforgettable and educational experience. Found in Jersey’s Gateway Region, Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange is home to creatures from across the globe and features fun outdoor experiences like the miniature train, dinosaur-themed playground, Safari Minigolf and TreeTop Adventure Course. Just over the county line at Bergen County Zoo in Paramus, you’ll discover wildlife from North and South America, including rare species like the Andean Condor and the Baird’s Tapir. Heading down to the Southern Shore Region, the Cape May County Park & Zoo is a can’t-miss destination. With free admission, hundreds of animals and acres of natural beauty to discover, the whole family can spend the day exploring. Plan your visit Saturday, October 26, to catch the annual “Boo at the Zoo” event.
    
6. Enjoy the great outdoors: Gather your loved ones and embark on a family adventure in New Jersey's vast network of state and national parks. Hike, walk or bike along scenic trails bursting with colorful fall foliage. Discover hidden gems like Cape May Point State Park, , which offers three hiking trails that wind through the marshy coastal habitat (and it’s free!). The park is situated within a major migratory route, so bring your binoculars to catch a glimpse of bird species that can only be spotted in the fall. For more to explore, head north to Sandy Hook Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area. With miles and miles of multi-use paths, you can enjoy the scenery by foot or bike. Keep moving north for a day trip to the stunning waterfalls of Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, or stuff your pack for a multi-day section hike of the world-famous Appalachian Trail.
    
7. Get crafty: Painting pumpkins isn’t the only way to explore your artistic side this fall. New Jersey is filled with studios where kids, teens and adults can learn a new and exciting hobby. Try your hand at one of the latest trends with an all-ages glass fusing experience at Glassworks Studio in Morristown or Hot Sand Glassblowing Studio in Asbury Park. Paint your own pottery at All Fired Up in Collingswood or enjoy family clay sessions at one of the Mud Clay Studio locations in Madison, Mendham and Montclair.

8. Explore the Shore: Jersey Shore beaches may be a summertime favorite, but they offer a gorgeous setting and plenty to do year-round. Escape the summer crowds and visit in the fall to soak in some coastal serenity, with quiet beaches and a brisk ocean breeze. Spend the day combing for shells, stop for fresh seafood, go on a whale watching adventure, visit a lighthouse or maritime museum, ride a beach cruiser down the boardwalk or drop in the local boutiques and get a head start on your holiday shopping.

9. Take a scenic drive: Explore the lesser-traveled roads of New Jersey and uncover hidden gems with our Scenic Byway Itineraries. As you navigate through these picturesque routes, you'll be captivated by natural wonders, historical landmarks and cultural attractions. Our scenic byways are home to some of the most beautiful landscapes and fascinating discoveries in The Garden State, so grab your keys and hit the road to explore the hidden treasures that await you.
    
10. Celebrate Halloween: With so many family Halloween events, it’s hard to choose just one way to celebrate this season. First on the list is trick-or-treating – one of the most quintessential Halloween activities for kids. Hit the rides and the new Trick or Treat Trail at Six Flags’ annual Kids Boo Fest, enter a world of whimsy at one of Storybook Land’s Trick or Treat Weekends, or step back in time to collect candy in a ghost town at Wild West City’s Spooky Wild West Fest. Next, climb aboard The Great Pumpkin Train, which will chug along the Delaware River all October long, stopping to let every kiddo wander the corn maze or select their own gourd from the pumpkin patch. Finally, check out Halloween farm events across the state, like the Halloween Light Show at Demarest Farms in Hillsdale. For adults and older children, try haunted hayrides at Fairfield Farms in Fairfield or spooky trails at Norz Hill’s annual Scarefarm in Hillsborough Township.

This season, plan to fall for family fun in New Jersey. See the official websites or social media pages of your destinations before you go for the latest dates, times and details. To help inspire your trip, download our free travel guide and sign up for our informative e-newsletter.