Ovation-Worthy Entertainment
Glam up your fall with global headliners live on stage at casino resorts including Ocean, Borgata, Caesars and Harrah’s, plus the renowned Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall (Greater AC Region). But don’t stop there. Find more great places for wow year-round concerts and performances at Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood (Delaware River Region) and the Cape May Stage (Southern Shore Region).
Love the big screen and nostalgia too? Grab the keys and pull into the only drive-in theater in New Jersey, the Delsea Drive-in Theatre. Located in Vineland (Southern Shore Region), it shows a mix of new releases and classic films from approximately mid-March through November. Check out the fab food menu (and the gluten free menu too) for tasty options that go waaaay beyond popcorn. For more entertaining options throughout NJ, click here.
Festivals to Fall For in 2024
Enjoy the arts? The WheatonArts Festival of Fine Craft, October 5 – 6 in Millville (Southern Shore Region) is calling your name. Or stop by Oktoberfest, featuring over 150 juried crafters, an international food court and live music in Historic Smithville (Greater AC Region) on October 5 – 6. Book lovers, get ready – the Collingswood Book Festival on October 5 is a must-do written just for you. Jazzed about music? The Exit Zero Jazz Festival is playing your tune at Cape May Convention Hall October 25 – 27 (Southern Shore Region). And if you want to have a reel-good time? Catch up at the LBI Surf Fishing Classic (Shore Region) and maybe win a monetary reward October 5 – December 8. For more festivals up, down and all around NJ, click here.
Harvest Happenings
The Garden State’s stunning fall foliage is at its peak, flaunting crimson, gold and auburn hues atop every tree. Leaf peep before it’s too late! And if you haven’t yet, check out all the cool places cropping up in our guide to pumpkin picking and corn mazes.
Enjoy plenty of 2024 family-friendly fall events and activities at beloved NJ farms including: Happy Day Farm in Manalapan (Shore Region), Johnson’s Corner Farm in Medford (Delaware River Region) and Springdale Farms in Cherry Hill (Delaware River Region). Apple picking is fun to the core at outstanding orchards like Battlefield Orchards in Freehold (Shore Region) and Duffields Farm in Sewell (Delaware River Region). Find more farms and orchards in NJ here.
Ghostly Good Fun
In addition to sites (and sights!) South Jersey has a lotta fall frights too. Experience Night of Terror at Creamy Acres Farm in Mullica Hill (Delaware River Region) voted one of the best places in the northeast to celebrate the Halloween season, behind only Salem, MA. Or enjoy your pick of ghost tours in Victorian Cape May (Southern Shore Region). You can also book a stay at The Flanders Hotel in Ocean City (Southern Shore Region) where legend has it an amicable apparition named Emily mischievously rattles door locks and disappears into walls.
On October 18 & 19, Historic Cold Spring Village in Cape May (Southern Shore Region) transforms into family-friendly Ghoul Spring Village. And then there’s the Jersey Devil, a mythological creature believed by some to inhabit the Pine Barrens (Delaware River, Greater AC and Shore Regions). While you may not find the devil there, you will find miles of wooded hiking trails and historic Batsto Village. For more time-honored sites in NJ, click here.
Culinary Creations
South Jersey has great taste, literally. See what’s being served up in the southern portion of the state at these renowned eateries featured on the Anthony Bourdain Food Trail: Dock’s Oyster House, Knife & Fork Inn, Tony’s Baltimore Grill and James Original Salt Water Taffy in Atlantic City (Greater AC Region); Donkey’s Place and Tony & Ruth’s Steaks in Camden (Delaware River Region); Lucille’s Country Cooking in Barnegat, Kubel’s in Barnegat Light and Frank’s Deli & Restaurant in Asbury Park (all three located in the Shore Region).
And be sure to reserve your spot at the fabulous farm-to-table dinner series held at Beach Plum Farm in Cape May (Southern Shore Region). This 2024 Oprah Hotel O-Ward recipient is also home to six charming cottages and barns that sleep between six and eight guests – perfect for a fall getaway! Click here to find more places to dine in all regions of NJ.
Amazing Attractions
New Jersey has over 1,034+ amazing attractions, and some of the best are in South Jersey. Like Adventure Aquarium on the Camden Waterfront (Delaware River Region) with over 15,000 aquatic animals and the Northeast’s largest collection of sharks. Plus, the thrilling Shark Tunnel and Shark Bridge the largest suspension bridge of its kind, with guests able to walk mere inches above the sharks!
No doubt, with indoor thrill rides, Laser Tag, Go Karts, Bumper Cars and more – The Funplex, located in Mount Laurel (Delaware River Region) is the place to play. And for record-breaking rides including Kingda Ka, the world’s tallest and North America’s fastest coaster ride, visit Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson (Shore Region). Six Flags has excellent 2024 events too, like the Octoberfest Food Festival September 7 – November 3, Fright Fest Extreme September 13 – November 3 and Kids Boo Fest September 14 – November 3.
If you’re looking for an attraction of mammoth proportions, take a trip to Margate (Greater AC Region) to tour the oldest roadside attraction and National Historic Landmark, Lucy the Elephant with her recently updated exterior. And for the history buffs, Battleship New Jersey on the Camden Waterfront, (Delaware River Region) is fresh out of dry dock and ready for tours. It’s a great way to wow up a fall day.
Discover more attractions, events and things to do in every season and every region of the Garden State. And for more trip inspo, nothing beats our free NJ Travel Guide and e-newsletter. As always, check with your destinations before you go for the latest details. And if you turn your getaway into an overnight stay, we have accommodations that are perfect for you.
