There’s nothing like a beautiful, crisp fall day spent outside in the Garden State. Right now is the perfect time to set out in your car to explore a part of New Jersey that is simply wonderful during this time of year.
Below, we offer a comprehensive guide of places to visit and things to do this season. Day-trip ideas span the state, from Fort Lee Historic Park and Museum in Bergen County all the way to Beach Plum Farm in West Cape May.
There’s a glorious bike trail, behind-the-scenes tours of Hamilton’s Grounds for Sculpture, spooky attractions, fall festivals and so much more.
Happy exploring!
D&R Canal State Park Is a Peaceful Biker’s Paradise
A bike-friendly bridge near Cavallo Park in Lambertville on the D&R Canal State Park towpath. Photo: Colin Miller
Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park is a 70-mile-long, car-free nature preserve, with historic towns to stop at along the way. READ MORE
Go Behind the Scenes at Grounds for Sculpture’s State-of-the-Art Workshop
Put Yourself in the Picture (Roberto Lugo, 2022, Grounds for Sculpture) is a 20-plus-foot tall, oversized riff on Philly artist Roberto Lugo’s ceramic pieces. Photo: Arron Andrews
Inside the creative wellspring of Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton. READ MORE
Why You Must Visit West Cape May’s Beach Plum Farm in the Fall
Produce and flowers are grown on-site at Beach Plum Farm in Cape May. Photo: Courtesy of Beach Plum Farm
Pick pumpkins, produce and flowers. Visit the animals. Enjoy a meal made with locally harvested ingredients. READ MORE
These NJ Ghost Tours Are a Scary Good Time
A scene along Moorestown Historical Society’s annual ghost tour. Photo: Courtesy of Moorestown Historical Society
These ghost tours in Asbury Park, Princeton and Moorestown will give you a fright—and a history lesson. READ MORE
NJ Fall Festivals and Fairs You Won’t Want to Miss
Photo: Shutterstock/Michael Warwick
From Oktoberfest celebrations to family-friendly events, the Garden State has a plethora of fun fall happenings. READ MORE
Haunted Attractions Sure to Scare NJ This Fall
Eek! Give yourself a fright in the Garden State this season. Photo: Shutterstock/Alexander Raths
Find frights and delights all over New Jersey as Halloween nears. READ MORE
The Ford Mansion in Morristown Photo: Shutterstock/George Wirt
NJ Parks Celebrating the American Revolution This Autumn
Take in the fall foliage as you walk in the footsteps of General George Washington and his tenacious Continental Army. READ MORE
6 Breathtaking Waterfalls You Need to See
The beauty of Hunterdon County’s Lake Solitude can be enjoyed solo or with pals. Photo: AEROJO Drone Productions
Ready for an autumn rush? Check out these lesser-known splendors. READ MORE
A Guide to Exploring NJ’s 36-Mile Lenape Trail
The Quarry Point lookout offers a dramatic view over Montclair and beyond. Photo: Ron Wyatt
The sprawling Essex County trail links suburban streets with woodsy mountains and hidden history. READ MORE
Unwind at NJ’s Most Scenic Tasting Rooms
Source Farmhouse Brewery in Colts Neck boasts an inviting outside area, complete with Adirondack chairs, a beer garden and games. Photo: James J. Connolly
Ready to enjoy a brew with a view? Here’s your guide to the Garden’s State’s most picturesque breweries, wineries, distilleries and cideries. READ MORE
Take a Trot on Horseback at Watchung Stable
Watchung Stable connects to 26 miles of bridle paths and features a main barn, an isolation barn, paddocks, one show and four riding rings, and an outdoor hunter course. Photo: James J. Connolly
Guests can traverse the Watchung Reservation—a verdant, 2,000-acre preserve in Union County—on horseback while learning about local wildlife. READ MORE
Ride a Train to the Ol’ Susquehanna Mine
Michael Van Grieson, Aja Mullins and baby Aiden enjoy a ride on the historic River and Steam Train. Photo: Joe Polillio
Board a historic passenger train in Phillipsburg, ride along the Delaware River and arrive at an interactive mining exhibit. READ MORE
Visit the Historic City of Paterson
Paterson’s Great Falls are second largest waterfall by volume on the East Coast. Photo: Steve Greer
People come from as far away as France to gaze at the stunning Great Falls. Plus, there’s an abundance of fabulous Middle Eastern cuisine to try. READ MORE
Explore the Great Swamp, a Sanctuary for All
A felled tree in the Great Swamp shows its age with its many rings. Photo: Laura Baer
Take a trek through the Great Swamp, where woodlands, grasslands, brooks and ponds provide a habitat for a wealth of aquatic life, birds and mammals. READ MORE
Geek Out on Hamilton History (And Much More) in Trenton
Trenton is well worth a visit this autumn. Photo: Shutterstock/Henryk Sadura
New Jersey’s capital city offers the kind of deep-dish American history you can only find in a few U.S. cities. (And don’t forget about its thin-crust pizza!) READ MORE
Get Lost in South Mountain Reservation
Explore South Mountain Reservation’s rocky trails and shady inclines this autumn. Photo: Laura Baer
Put on your walking shoes and hike to Hemlock Falls, a 25-foot-high cascade in the heart of the 2,110-acre wooded oasis. READ MORE
Can’t get enough? Check out more autumnal excursions:
Get Lost But Find Fun in a Corn Maze
Visit NJ’s Often-Overlooked Bayshore Heritage Scenic Byway
Spend a Peaceful Day at Watchung Reservation
Stroll Where Washington Stood Fast
Kick Back in a Kayak on the Manasquan River
Visit Pequannock Watershed, a ‘Pristine Forest’ in New Jersey
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