Fall Fun
As humidity disappears and a cooler breeze rolls in, I can’t help but think about all the fun fall activities we will be doing in another two weeks or so. Although I’m a summer girl at heart, fall has always been the time of year where I reflect, realign and embrace the changing of the seasons. After all, “life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall” (F. Scott Fitzgerald).
Although I’ve already had several Pumpkin Cream Cold Brews, I cannot wait to begin wearing my boots again with oversized sweaters, seeing the first orange/red leaves that appear on our trees, going pumpkin picking with the kids and, of course, Halloween!
Because I live in Northern New Jersey, I thought I would share some fun things to do this fall as well as some locations to visit. Let’s get started!
Apple picking - I mean, is apple picking not a fall custom? Depending on where you live, in New Jersey or New York, you’re bound to be within a two hour drive of an apple orchard. It’s a fun weekend activity for the whole family. If you want to avoid crowds, try going after school if you live close to an orchard. For my North Jersey friends, we have Demarest Farms, Dr. Davies Farms, Masker Orchards or Pennings. South Jersey friends, you can enjoy apple picking at Duffield's Farm Market in Sewell.
Pumpkin picking - I feel as though pumpkin picking goes hand in hand with apple picking. Kinda like a 2-for-1 deal. It’s always fun watching the kids walk in between the pumpkins to find just the right one for painting or carving. And if you don’t have kids, picking a pumpkin is still just as fun! Do you pick pumpkins for your entrance way or for carving?
Visit a cidery or brewery - I have yet to do this! It’s on my fall bucket list for this year. For my south/central Jersey friends, you can visit Ironbound Hard Cidery in Asbury or Burnt Mills Cider in Bedminister. Those of us up north and in New York, we can visit Pennings Farm Cidery. If you aren’t familiar with Pennings, you can visit the beer garden and/or go apple picking. It’s definitely a place to visit if you’re looking for something to do with the fam on the weekend. If anyone has been to a cidery or brewery that they like, let me know!
Rent a boat for the afternoon - Now this is definitely something to look forward to on the weekend! Especially with the fall foliage. Up north we have several lakes where we can spend an afternoon on the water. If you like ocean fishing, the fall isn’t a bad time to be on the water. It’s cooler, for sure, but there are some great fish to be caught during this time of year!
Rent a cabin or house for the weekend near the mountains - I have been looking into this. I wouldn’t mind renting a cabin in Montana and waking up to a gorgeous sunrise or sitting on the deck at night with a glass of wine watching the sun set. But for now, I’ll settle for a lakefront cabin in the Adirondacks or a cute little Airbnb cottage surrounded by beautiful fall foliage.
Visit a fall harvest festival - There are fall festivals all over the country. Many events take place Labor Day weekend through October. West Milford has an Autumn Lights Festival October 9th. Haven Hill Farm in Vernon has a Great Pumpkin Festival from September 11th - November 7th. South Jersey friends, Margate has a Fall Fun Fest by the Bay September 25 & 26th. Below is a list of fall festivals and activities throughout NJ: https://www.new-jersey-leisure-guide.com/fall-activities.html.
Go wine tasting - There are a few wineries in New Jersey. There is a tasting room at Abma’s Farm in Wyckoff or you can make your own wine at Make Wine with Us in Wallington. You can also visit Fox Hollow Vineyards in Holmdel or Tomasello Winery which has several locations throughout New Jersey.
Attend a football game - It truly isn’t fall without football. Whether you watch your kid(s) play, college or professional, football is a fall staple.
Go on a hike - The fall weather is perfect for hiking. It’s usually not too hot or cold. You're not going to sweat your ass off hiking up a mountain. It’s less muggy and you can enjoy the scenery. Emersyn and I recently walked the yellow and red trail at the Tenafly Nature Center. The red trail now has little fairy architecture. Super cute for the kids to look for!
Celebrate Oktoberfest - I’ve never actually celebrated Oktoberfest, but from what I have seen, it looks like a good time. I was able to find a few places that are celebrating Oktoberfest this year; not all websites have been updated. This is what I found:
902 Brewing Co in Jersey City, September 18th
Mountain Creek, September 25th
Jackson Street and Carpenter Lane in Cape May, September 25th
Hamilton Township, October 17th
Somerville, September 25th
Mountain Lakes House in Princeton, October 17th
Asbury, October 2nd & 3rd
Hope this was helpful in planning some fun fall activities! <3