With the leaves changing colors and pumpkin spice lattes back on every menu, we can officially embrace the fall season at hand! The temperatures are slowly cooling down to welcome the fast approaching autumn weather, making way for some season appropriate festivities. A change in season opens up a new door for adventure, one with many places to explore. From visiting a local pumpkin patch to walking through a frightening haunted house, there are many amazing sights and places to explore this season. 

Local Gems 

For those looking to spend a fun fall day with their friends and family locally, there are many different farms with seasonal pumpkin patches and activities. A popular choice in the area is Farms View Roadstand. Here, they offer a variety of fall decorations with a pumpkin patch and hayride. Their indoor market is the perfect place to grab some baked goods in season like a delicious pumpkin pie. This also being the perfect time of year for apples, taking a drive to an orchard is another festive visit. Places like Demarest Farms in Hillsdale, New Jersey or a little further trip to Pennings Orchard in Warwick, New York are perfect for an afternoon of apple picking. Both are great options for a relaxed and well spent fall experience.

If you are looking for a greater adventure for the day there are a few scenic and outdoorsy options. Just a short drive away you can find trails like in the Garret Mountain Reservation here in Passaic County. These trails provide gorgeous views of the amber leaves and a breath of fresh air. If you are looking for another view of the fall foliage, the trails at High Point State Park in Sussex, New Jersey reveal another breathtaking sight of soft hills and valleys glazed with crimson leaves in the fall months. Each of these make for a fun exploration of nature with its autumn colors on full display.  

Weekend Getaway 

Although there are many places to explore locally that fully embrace the season, there are some other options that require a little more travel. A popular fall destination with many festive celebrations and great places to visit is Salem, Massachusetts. Only a few hours away, you can find yourself walking the streets of Salem with a crisp fall breeze, making for a perfect seasonal getaway. With it’s beautiful foliage, museums, tours, shops, sights, and deep history, it can definitely be worth the trip. Especially for those interested in Halloween related activities, Salem’s dark history with witchcraft makes it even more fascinating and ideal to visit and explore this fall. 

Halloween Attractions 

For those who love a good scare, there are plenty of terrifying spots to visit this season, just in time for Halloween. Local haunted houses include Brighton Asylum, an extremely chilling yet popular attraction with a horrifying walk-through experience for a live scare, or a variety of escape rooms. Fright Fest at SixFlags in Jackson, New Jersey makes for another eerie trip to celebrate the season if you are looking for a night of thrills with your friends and family!