October 2023: Fall Day Trips

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 day, we can bet it features the Garden State’s great outdoors.

Enjoy our guide of places to visit and things to do this season!

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GARDEN VARIETY

How Evelyn McGee Colbert Turned the Montclair Film Festival Into a Cultural Powerhouse

“Montclair is New Jersey’s Hollywood,” says McGee Colbert, who cofounded Montclair Film and is married to Stephen Colbert. This year’s festival runs from October 20-29.

Tarik Mendes amid his recording equipment for his podcast, "Tarik Talk"

Podcast Celebrates the Artists Who Make Jersey City Tick

On Tarik Talk, local painters, writers, musicians and more chat about “their creative process, their fears, things that make them happy.”

A woman transformed into a woodland creature by students at the School of Makeup Effects (SOME) in Totowa

How Do Makeup Artists Transform Faces for TV and Film? This NJ Academy Will Show You

The School of Makeup Effects (SOME) in Totowa teaches everything from color theory to prosthetic application.

A competitor jumps a fence during at Far Hills Race Meeting

New Amenities, Same Extravagant Tailgating: What to Expect at Far Hills Race Meeting 2023

The 102nd running, on October 21 at Moorland Farm, will feature an all-inclusive tent and the ability to participate in pari-mutuel wagering.

The first-floor gathering space of Newark Makerhoods

How a Beer Magnate’s Mansion Became a Modern Coworking Space

Newark Makerhoods features live/work spaces for business startups.

Members of the New York Red Bulls II congregate on the field

New York Red Bulls II Making Huge Strides as a Young Team

The Red Bulls II will play in the first round of the MLS Next Pro’s playoffs against Chicago Fire FC II on Sunday, October 1.

Evelyn Moon, director of education at Good Grief

NJ Nonprofit Wants to Eliminate Taboos Around Grief

“Sometimes hard things are just hard.”

The Magnusson Group's Morristown showroom offers art, jewelry, silver, porcelain and luxe goods

Morristown Auction House Buys and Sells the Cool, Rare and Quirky

The Magnusson Group team often encounters unusual finds—from diamond rings hidden in freezers to six-figure paintings stashed behind fridges.

Cozy, Comforting Finds We Love for Fall

Embrace warm, earthy hues this autumn.

A student in National Society of Black Engineers

National Society of Black Engineers Aims to Create Early Interest in STEM

It also hopes to inspire a lifetime of learning in students.

Demonstrators rally for fallen Paterson activist Najee Seabrooks, during a peaceful protest at Paterson City Hall

Is Paterson’s Notorious Police Department Finally Entering a New Era?

After years of allegations of race-based bias by Paterson police, the state takeover is beginning to yield positive results—but doubts still linger.

Discover the Hidden Gems of NJ: 6 Breathtaking Waterfalls You Need to See

Ready for an autumn rush? Check out these lesser-known splendors.

A man and his dog hike at the Quarry Point lookout

A Guide to Exploring NJ’s 36-Mile Lenape Trail

The sprawling Essex County trail links suburban streets with woodsy mountains and hidden history.

The inviting outside area at Source Farmhouse Brewery in Colts Neck

Unwind at NJ’s Most Scenic Tasting Rooms

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.

Exterior shot of Ellis Island's hospital complex in New Jersey amid dark rain clouds

Group Works to Save the Oft-Forgotten Jersey Side of Ellis Island

A local nonprofit refuses to let the island’s abandoned medical buildings crumble into the sea.

illustration of worker using leaf blower

The War on Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers Is Revving Up Across New Jersey

More towns are limiting the use of—or even completely banning—gas-powered blowers, citing health and environmental concerns.

An aerial shot of Bird Haven Farm in Pottersville, which shows its classic red barns and monastery garden

Inside Pottersville’s Idyllic Bird Haven Farm

The 75-acre property in Hunterdon County is home to a century-old apple orchard and flourishing gardens.

Centrada in Red Bank Pulses with Vibrant Late-Night Scene and Pan-Latin Menu

Great cocktails, memorable appetizers and a beat-heavy soundtrack breathe new life into a pre-pandemic hotspot.

Meet New Jersey’s Queen of the Vegans, Freya Dinshah

Freya Dinshah is president of the American Vegan Society, whose headquarters are tucked away in Gloucester County.

Pren Kitchen Adds Modern Comfort to Chester’s Restaurant Scene

“It’s like going over to someone’s house to eat a meal.”

A dessert at Apple Street Kitchen in Tinton Falls

This Cozy Tinton Falls Eatery Is Tucked Within Vast Gardens

The expansive menu features ultra-fresh produce and herbs. Also on-site: a to-go market and a cooking-demo classroom.

This AC Bar Boasts Elevated Staples and Sophisticated Specials

Plus, your canine companions are welcome.

A blue-gloved hand holds a plant that sits in a glass test tube

Wines From Hybrid Grapes, Once Dismissed by Critics, Are Finding NJ Fans

Many believe that hybrid grapes will prove even more important as climate change continues to impact wine regions.

The Joys of Putting Down Roots in New Jersey

A Pennsylvania native reflects on becoming a proud Garden Stater.