Best 7 Things to Do with Families Near Jersey City in this Fall (that you didn’t think of!)
Families who live in Jersey City are fortunate to be a stone’s throw away from many Fall activities. You can find everything from an apple-picking orchard along the road, a corn maze, or an expansive pumpkin patch. Below, you will find not just a list of these types of activities, but rather a list of the Best 7 Things to Do with Families Near Jersey City, that are a little less typical and a ton of fun!
Keansburg Amusement Park
275 Beachway Avenue, Keansburg, NJ 07734
First on the list of Best 7 Things to Do with Families Near Jersey City is a place that is 40 minutes away from Jersey City, but worth the drive. Fall is the perfect season for families to visit this amusement park. It is the closest boardwalk to Jersey City. From go-carts to toddler rides, and even a thrilling roller-coaster. This amusement park is not crowded during the off-season, and fall temperatures make it perfect for families to enjoy a day trip. Be sure to check their fall hours here before you leave home.
Ramsey Farmers’ Market
Main Street Train Station, Ramsey, NJ
Ramsey Farmers’ Market, approximately 30 minutes from Jersey City, is not your mother’s farmers market and it is not to be missed. The market’s size and variety make it unique among farmers’ markets and earn it a spot on the list of Best 7 Things to Do with Families Near Jersey City This Fall. This market boasts abundant fall produce, arts and crafts, and delectable food cooked on the spot. Even the furry four-legged members of the family will find something to eat (dogs are allowed and encouraged). Yes, Jersey City has its own market, but this one is worth the short drive every weekend through November. Check out the schedule here.
Liberty State Park
Morris Pesin Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305
What is the best time of year to visit Liberty State Park? The clear answer is the Fall! What compliments the picturesque views of New York City and the Harbor? Why fall foliage, of course, and cool refreshing temperatures. The playground alone, with its vast and accessible structures, and panoramic New York City views would be enough to make this trip worth it any day. Do not discouraged if you have been here many times before, there is always more to be discovered. For example, the Richard J. Sullivan Natural Area offers several nature hikes along its well-preserved estuary that are walkable even for the youngest members of the family.
Demarest Farms
244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale, NJ 07642
With its charming placement on a picturesque hillside or the scent of fresh-made doughnuts mingled with warm apple cider Demarest Farms is one of the best things for families near Jersey City to do this season. Needless to say, it is worth the 30-minute trip from Jersey City. Not only is it a standout farm, but easily makes our list of the Best 7 Things to Do with Families Near Jersey City this Fall.
Rutgers Gardens
130 Log Cabin Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8525
Approximately a 40-minute drive from Jersey City, Rutgers Gardens, a picturesque botanical garden, makes our list, not only because of its free admission but because of its many flower-lined paths; the perfect antidote to the crowded streets of downtown Jersey City! Fall at Rutgers Gardens renders spectacular colors and unrivaled foliage. There are secret spots for picnics, Frisbee throwing, and perhaps a family game of hide and seek.
Echo Lake Park
143-149 Mill Lane, Mountainside, NJ 07092
This Union County gem makes the cut of the Best 7 Things to Do with Families Near Jersey City this Fall because well, it is brimming with live turtles! Echo Lake Park is unique and charming and only about 35 minutes from downtown Jersey City. Echo Lake Park’s fall foliage is beautiful. Family activities include paddle boating (through October), hiking trails, a playground, and a waterfall and large stream (that boasts turtles and fish). This is definitely one of the 7 Best Things to Do With Families Near Jersey City this Fall!
Palisades Interstate Park
1 Alpine Approach Road, Alpine, NJ 07620
Palisades Interstate Park is well-known but in many ways under-appreciated. It wraps up our list of Best 7 Things to Do with Families Near Jersey City This Fall, simply because it offers some of the best views in the Northeast. The area is surrounded by tree-lined cliffs that paint an indelible and beautiful picture. It takes about 30 minutes to get here from Jersey City. In addition to the views there are a plethora of things of family-friendly activities adaptable for any age. Check out the vast greenery of the Ross Dock Picnic Area, perfectly perched at the foot of the George Washington Bridge, or for the ornithologists in your family, participate in the annual Hawk Watch from September to November.
Now that September is nearly here and you are yearning for Fall weather and Fall-related activities, maybe consider our list of the Best 7 Things to Do with Families Near Jersey City This Fall. Let us know what you think!
Updated August 26, 2023
