When the calendar flips from August to September, people who live along the Jersey Shore delight in what they call local summer. The large crowds have dispersed, tables are available at favorite restaurants, the days are warm, the nights cool and crisp, and the ocean temperatures still in the 70s. While not every day is warm enough for leisurely relaxing in a beach chair, there is no better time to enjoy a walk along an uncrowded beach.
Here are ten more great ways to enjoy fall at the Shore.
Flock to Cape May to Go Birding
Each October, for the fall migration, birds and birders fly in from all over North America to the town that National Geographic calls one of the world’s top 10 bird-watching destinations. There can be thousands of hawks, falcons, eagles, swallows and warblers in the sky. Join the faithful at the Cape May Hawkwatch near the Cape May Lighthouse, particularly during New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Fall Festival, which runs October 15-18 and features talks, excursions and more events.
Watch Whales Migrate Off the Coast
As the water cools, humpback whales breach and flap their tails off the Jersey Shore as they head south to the Caribbean. Through November, regular whale-watch cruises are offered by Jersey Shore Whale Watch out of Belmar and by Cape May Whale Watcher and Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center
Bring the Kids to Storybook Land
Egg Harbor Township
Perhaps because it’s a throwback to an earlier era or just that Storybook Land knows how to throw a party, but families converge on this amusement park near Atlantic City for the Fall Into Fun Festival, featuring hayrides, a pumpkin patch and a maze. The one-price admission includes unlimited rides for younger children, along with storybook attractions.
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Walk LBI’s Southernmost Beach
Holgate, Long Beach Township
Once the endangered birds have nested and their offspring are born, Long Beach Island’s most pristine beach opens September 1 to beachgoers, surfers and fishermen. The Holgate section of the Edwin Forsythe Wilderness Area offers views of Atlantic City to the south and the Rutgers University Marine Field Station across the dunes beyond Little Egg Inlet.
Rock the Doo Wop Scene
Wildwood
Relive the doo-wop era with the Wildwood Oldies Spectacular Concert on October 17. Be sure to head across the street to visit the Doo Wop Museum or explore the space age architecture of the nearby hotels built in the ’50s and ‘60s in Wildwood and Wildwood Crest.
Climb a Lighthouse
With the restored Barnegat Lighthouse reopened, plus regular visitor hours at the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, Abescon Lighthouse and Sea Girt Lighthouse, there’s no better time than fall to visit lighthouses, particularly October 17-18 for the Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey, which encourages people to visit 11 lighthouses, four lifesaving stations, and one museum in two days.
Join the Zombie Walk
Asbury Park
On October 3, the zombies converge on the Asbury Park Boardwalk for one of the country’s largest zombie events, the Asbury Park Zombie Walk. Zombie makeovers and a costume contest are featured as thousands gather to walk and moan from the Asbury Park Convention Hall to downtown Asbury Park.
Spend a Weekend with Witches
Historic Smithville, Galloway
If more than 50 quaint shops and restaurants aren’t ample enough reasons to head to Historic Smithville, the Galloway spot livens up the fall with popular themed weekends such as Oktoberfest from October 3-4, Monster Bash on October 24, and Witches Day Out on October 25.
Celebrate Oktoberfest at Bahrs Landing
Highlands
At Bahrs Landing, where the Lobster Boss reigns supreme, diners expect fresh fish along with oysters, soft-shell crabs and clams. Yet Bahrs has long featured a stout Oktoberfest menu with potato pancakes, kielbasa, schnitzel and more that can be enjoyed until mid-November while watching the boats sail in Sandy Hook Bay.
Pick an Apple from a Viewpoint of the Battlefield
Battlefield Orchards, Freehold
Before taking a stroll to see the fall foliage amidst the hills of the 1,800-acre Monmouth Battlefield State Park, stop at the nearby Battleview Orchards and pick your own apples. From late August until late October, more than a dozen varieties of apples can be plucked off the trees or purchased from the orchard’s country store along with freshly pressed apple cider.
R.C. Staab is a travel writer, book author, playwright, and wildlife and Jersey Shore enthusiast.
