It may not feel like it, but Autumn has officially begun. Autumn means a crispness in the air, a change in scenery and the smell of fallen leaves everywhere. To make the most of the season before it passes by, make sure to take part in each of these activities all across the Garden State.
1. Take a hike and watch the leaves change
Photo courtesy of Flickr: Creative Commons: Nicholas A. Tonelli.
Summer may be the favorite season of many to vacation and venture around the Garden State. However, fall is arguably the best time of the year to grab a backpack, pack a lunch and go on a hike. Besides the 72.2 miles of Appalachian Trail that runs through the Garden State, parks and reservations speckle the landscape and offer countless trails alongside scenic mountains, hills, rivers, lakes and streams. Spots that offer particularly nice views as the leaves change color include High Point State Park in Sussex and Cheesequake State Park in Sayreville.
2. Pick your own apples
Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons: J B.
New Jersey is apple-central and local farms across the state boast dozens of varietals fresh for the picking, slicing and eating. Visit a farm like Battleview Orchards Country Market and Bakery in Freehold to try one of their 14 apple varieties or Wightman’s Farm in Morristown to pick a bag of apples or peaches (until the end of September). Melick’s Town Farm in Califon, one of the state’s largest apple growers, also offers horse-drawn wagon rides. Many local farms that offer apple-picking also offer pumpkin picking through October.
3. Attend a beer or wine festival
Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons: Adam Barhan.
Who doesn’t like a fizzy ale to warm the blood in the chilly weather? New Jersey is home to a whole host of wine and craft beer festivals throughout the fall–a great opportunity to try something new. Give the 28th Annual Oktoberfest in New Brunswick a try on October 8, starting at 1pm.
4. Cozy up and read a book
Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons: Edward Langley.
Embark on a different sort of adventure when you curl up with a good book this fall. Book series, like Game of Thrones written by New Jersey’s own George R. R. Martin, make great company once the weather cools and the armchair next to your fireplace beckons your presence more than ever. And, since winter is coming, now might be the best time to get wrapped up in a world far, far away that might offer you a dream of spring.
5. Visit the Shore for a last hurrah
Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons: Tony Fischer.
Locals like to think of post-Labor Day as the start to their own, personal summer season once all of the tourists have come and gone. But, maybe they won’t mind if you choose a weekend to head back to the beach to support their local economy this fall. Festivals at the Shore are a-plenty—like LBI Fly International Kite Festival in Long Beach Island (October 6-9) and Indian Summer Weekend in Ocean City (October 7-9). Best of all, the beaches are free.
We are attending Dog Walk Of The Dead 5 on Saturday, October 21, at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta. It’s a fun event with the proceeds benefiting the One Step Closer Animal Rescue. Terrie Carr and WDHA 105.5 Radio will be there!
I moved to a town-home in Marlton by D.R. Horton and have been needing a place to go for info on what to do here and this is just what i wanted. Thanks so much. I love NJ