
What does your perfect fall day in New Jersey entail?
A gorgeous drive through the mountains, taking in the colors of changing leaves along the way? An afternoon of festival-focused fun with the family, picking pumpkins and apples? A laid-back evening at a winery, tasting new varieties and catching up with old friends?
Whatever your ideal autumn excursion, we can bet it features the Garden State’s great outdoors. Below, browse a comprehensive guide of places to visit and things to do this season.
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
New Jersey 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
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
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
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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