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Cool Ideas for Perfect Fall Activities in New Jersey (2024 Edition)

ByKasia Kalemba Hours
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Fall in New Jersey is easily one of the best times to explore the Garden State. The temperatures are perfect, the air is crisp, and autumn colors bring the state to life. Whether you’re in it for the fall foliage, festivals, or farm visits, there’s something for everyone this season.

With the season kicking off in mid-September and running through early November, it’s the perfect time to plan your New Jersey fall 2024 bucket list. Let’s dive into some of the best fall activities you can experience across the state this year!

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Experience Stunning Fall Foliage in 2024

From late September through mid-October, New Jersey’s natural beauty is at its peak with vibrant fall colors blanketing the state. This year, expect New Jersey fall foliage to peak slightly earlier than usual due to warmer weather, making it important to catch the colors at the right time.

Here are the best spots to see fall foliage in 2024:

  • High Point State Park: As New Jersey’s highest point, the views here are unmatched. Whether you’re a hiker or prefer a scenic drive, this is a must-see during fall. In 2024, High Point will be hosting the Fall Foliage Festival on October 12th, which includes guided hikes, local food vendors, and live music.
  • Stokes State Forest: Right next to High Point, Stokes offers more serene hiking trails. A 2024 highlight: the Autumn Fest at Stokes, running from October 1st to October 15th, featuring family-friendly activities and local crafts.
  • Mount Tammany: Offering sweeping views of the Delaware Water Gap, this challenging hike is a fall favorite. Plan an early morning trip to avoid crowds, and consider pairing the hike with a visit to the nearby Tammany Fall Market, a weekend farmer’s market running through October 2024.
  • Duke Farms: If steep hikes aren’t your style, Duke Farms is the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll through beautifully landscaped grounds. This year, their Sustainable Fall Fair on October 5th will highlight local artisans, food trucks, and eco-friendly activities for kids.
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Farm Fun: Apple and Pumpkin Picking in 2024

Nothing says fall like apple and pumpkin picking, and New Jersey is home to some of the best orchards and farms. Here are the top places to visit in 2024:

  • Melick’s Town Farm (Oldwick): With their popular apple-picking season starting in mid-September, this farm is a top spot for families. In 2024, they’ll be expanding their Fall Harvest Days to include a Cider Festival running through October, where you can enjoy hard cider tastings along with hayrides.
  • Demarest Farm (Hillsdale): One of New Jersey’s busiest farms, Demarest offers everything from pumpkin patches to corn mazes. In 2024, look forward to their Haunted Hayride and Farm Nights, perfect for families or those looking for a spooky twist to their fall experience.
  • Riamede Farm (Chester): If you’re looking for a quieter, more intimate experience, Riamede Farm is perfect. This year, they’ll host a Fall Family Picnic Day every Sunday in October, featuring live music, farm-fresh food, and plenty of U-pick options.
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Haunted House Adventure

2024 is packed with spooky activities for Halloween enthusiasts. Whether you love haunted houses or just want a fun scare, New Jersey has you covered:

  • Brighton Asylum (Passaic): Known as New Jersey’s scariest haunted house, Brighton Asylum is back for 2024 with new attractions and even scarier haunts. They’ve added an escape room challenge and a virtual reality horror experience this year!
  • Scare Farm (Hillsborough): This year, Scare Farm expands with a Haunted Corn Maze and Zombie Paintball, which runs every weekend through October 2024. It’s perfect for those who want a mix of fright and fun!

Sip on Cider

While New Jersey has fewer cideries than nearby New York, there are still some excellent spots to grab a glass of hard cider:

  • Ironbound Farm (Asbury): New for 2024, Ironbound is hosting a Fall Cider Tasting Series every Saturday in October, featuring seasonal ciders made from locally grown apples.
  • Burnt Mills Cider (Bedminster): With its laid-back atmosphere and food trucks, Burnt Mills remains a favorite. Check out their 2024 Fall Cider & Food Truck Festival too for a perfect autumn day out.
  • I mentioned Melick’s farm above for some good fashion apple picking, but you’ll be happy to know that their Oldwick location offers some good hard ciders as well!
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New York Cider

Here is where I cheat on New Jersey and tell you that I have four awesome cidery picks a little further north crossing the state border. The difference between the scenery of NY is really unmatchable so most times I’ll choose to drive a little further north to get better experiences. My absolute favorite place in the area is Brooklyn Cider House. No, it is not in Brooklyn but rather a short hike from New Paltz. Their cider is amazing, they offer delicious food, u-pick, live music, and stunning GROUNDS. Oh, and their apple cider donuts are the best I’ve ever had.

Not too far away from New Paltz, you’ll also find Kettlebourough Cider House, a small but gorgeous cider mill on top of a hill. They don’t have a working website but check their status on their Facebook page. Their little farm store offers snacks and delicious cider. Go around back to find picnic benches with the most beautiful views of New York State. They have almost perfect review scores on every website for a reason.

At Apple Dave’s Orchard, Distillery, and even Applewood Winery you’ll find everything your soul can desire, cider, wine, and strong cocktails made from apple whiskey. It’s all on the same grounds, you can picnic, enjoy live music and taste all different types of alcohol. The last time I visited it was pretty busy and I will say that their cider was excellent!

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Penning’s Farm Cidery is another cute place in the Warwick area. Don’t confuse the orchard and cider mill with the farm that’s located down the hill. I would say that the farm is worth checking out, they have another restaurant and bar down there as well.

Octoberfest Celebrations

Oktoberfest events have become increasingly popular in New Jersey and New York, and 2024 offers plenty of great options:

  • Bear Mountain Oktoberfest (NY): One of the largest in the region, this event runs from late September through mid-October. Enjoy traditional German food, beer, and live music while surrounded by stunning fall views.
  • Historic Smithville Oktoberfest (Galloway): Held on October 5th and 6th, this event features over 100 vendors, traditional German food, and family-friendly activities. It’s the perfect way to spend a fall weekend.
  • Cape May Oktoberfest (Cape May): An Oktoberfest down the shore? Yes please sign me up!

Fall Winery

When grapes are finally ripe, it’s time to head to the winery. There are many cool spots in the state in which you can not only enjoy the wine but also the beautiful grounds in the fall. My favorite spot will always be Working Dog but I recommend you check out more of my suggestions in the New Jersey Drinking Guide!

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Off-season busy town exploration

Fall is the perfect time to explore New Jersey’s beach towns without the summer crowds. In 2024, consider these off-season gems:

  • Asbury Park: Known for its vibrant boardwalk and music scene, Asbury is a great place to visit when the summer tourists are gone. This year, check out the Asbury Park Fall Festival on October 12th for live music, food trucks, and local vendors.
  • Cape May: One of New Jersey’s most charming beach towns, Cape May is even better in the fall. Don’t miss the Cape May Fall Festival from October 6th to October 8th, featuring a craft show, ghost tours, and seasonal food offeri

Check out my amazing off-season Cape May guide!

Another off-season activity and one of my favorite activities to do in early New Jersey fall is to go biking in places like Sandy Hook or Delaware Water Gap near Lambertville. In the summer, not only does heat make this more difficult but the crowds and lack of parking take away from what is supposed to be a calm experience. Off-season, the temperatures are much better and the crowds are not as intense. If you’d like more information on these activities, check out my New Jersey Summer post for all details on these activities.

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Football Game

New Jersey Fall is synonymous with football. I mean what’s better than sipping beer at a tailgate with your friends (clearly I’m not there for the football). If you like college football, head to Piscataway and catch the Rutgers game. Even if you’re not a fan, the energy of those events is awesome. Students, alumni, and die-hard RU fans make this an awesome experience. If you’re not tailgating with anyone, Rutgers hosts a variety of entertainment near the stadium depending on the game. They usually have a beer garden, a stage, and activities for kids and adults.

North Jersey is the home to Metlife Stadium in which you can catch New York Jets or Giants play. Something you have to do at least once in your life! Here is their fall schedule.

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Other Ideas for an awesome New Jersey fall

Last but not least, here are some other smaller ideas worth doing this fall:

  • Concerts: Obviously a year-round activity but as we’re slowly opening more and more things up, check out the last couple of events at PNC Arts Center or Prudential Center lineup.
  • Corn Maze: Bring out the child in you and try a good old corn maze. Here is an awesome list of different available ones in the state!
  • Shop early for Christmas: If you’re like me and absolutely hate shopping starting Black Friday for Christmas presents, the best time to get it over with is late fall, before the madness happens. Visit Jersey Shore Outlets or Bergen Town Center for some discounted shopping deals!

Final Thoughts: Make the Most of New Jersey’s Fall 2024

As always, fall is an exciting time in New Jersey. Whether you’re exploring the vibrant fall foliage, picking apples, or getting a good scare at a haunted house, there’s something for everyone in 2024. Don’t forget to let us know in the comments which activities you’re excited about this year!

For more New Jersey ideas on fun things to do, don’t forget to check out my other Jersey posts:

Kasia is a travel blogger that loves to share her detailed itineraries and travel tips with her community. She's traveled to numerous countries and makes it a priority to explore her home state of New Jersey while still being passionate about her 9-5 career.

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  1. Pingback: Awesome Ideas For Things To Do in New Jersey Winter 2022 » Perfect Day Somewhere

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