The Best Fall Getaways in New Jersey
New Jersey gets a whole different feeling in the fall. The yellowish-orange colors peak during autumn, making any short trip a picturesque and memorable experience. Furthermore, the fall season is perfect for mini getaways now that the summer rush is over and the crowds are gone. You can explore all the major attractions, charming towns, and historical sites. In addition, New Jersey has an abundance of parks with lovely scenery that also offer various activities. So, if you have an itch to travel this season, here are the best fall getaways in New Jersey.
Once you decide on a long-distance trip within New Jersey, it’s crucial to get ready properly and make sure you have everything you need. Some essentials to have with you in the car should be snacks, food, water, spare clothes, a first-aid kit, a spare tire, personal documentation, etc.
With the list of things you need for the trip packed and ready to go, pick some must-see destinations for a relaxing seasonal getaway. We have gathered the information and created a list of the best fall getaways in New Jersey to help you plan your trip!
- Vernon for a classic autumn experience
- Barnegat Light for relaxing walks and fishing
- Mullica Hill for antique lovers
- Cape May for beach time and some history
- Princeton for historic sites, museums, and good places to eat
- Asbury Park for numerous activities
- Hoboken for perfect views of the Manhattan skyline
- Trenton for important historical sites and museums
1. Vernon
The fall season is the perfect time to visit Vernon, NJ. You can enjoy scenic rides, go hiking on the Appalachian Trail, go boating in Wawayanda State Park, or do some golfing. The Stairway to Heaven trail in the Appalachian is famous for its views and also the ease of hiking. Then, after a busy day, you can relax in some of the highly-rated restaurants in the area, such as The Lamp Post Inn or the Hawk’s Nest at Mountain Creek Resort. Other places you can visit include Mountain Creek Water Park, Treescape Ariel Adventure Park, Warwick Drive-in Theater, Pennings Farm market, and more.
2. Barnegat Light
Even though autumn is too chilly to swim in the ocean, Barnegat Light is a popular place to visit during the fall. You can fulfill your daily step count by walking to the top of the Barnegat Lighthouse and enjoying the peaceful views, or you could try fishing at the jetty. The town also has an eco-trail that offers scenic views of the ocean and the dunes. After your busy day, you can take a drive along the beach and choose from a variety of excellent restaurants.
3. Mullica Hill
If you are an antique lover, Mullica Hill is the place for you. Its Main Street has more than thirty antique shops. The 3-floor Old Mill Antique Center can also be found on Main Street. The entire town of Mullica Hill is designated as a historic site. The Civil War-Era houses are now different shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Furthermore, there are two main local events held here – Civil War Weekend, with battle recreations, and the Ghost Walk, usually held on October 13th, which highlights the haunted history of this town.
4. Cape May
As the weather gets cooler, not many people visit the beach, but flocks of birds sure do! So make sure you bring your binoculars to this rural town. Also, if you want to get more active and enjoy walks or bike rides, Cap May allows you to forget your car while visiting restaurants, stores, and attractions within walking distance.
A popular fall event held here is Victorian Weekend (October 5th-9th). Events include the Cape May Wine Trail, themed trolley tours, history lectures, murder mystery dinners, private home tours, and much more.
5. Princeton
To truly enjoy all that Princeton has to offer requires multiple visits or one long one. Once you visit all the important historical sites, like Princeton Battlefield State Park, you can check out the Asian Art collection at the Princeton University Museum. Other fun events are the Princeton Prowl Scavenger Hunt held in September and October. And be sure to check out a classic movie at the Princeton Garden Theatre on Nassau Street.
6. Asbury Park
Asbury Park is a coastal town with plenty of restaurants, a rich nightlife, and grand hotels. You can enjoy shows at the Paramount Theatre or catch a live performance at The Stone Pony. Also, don’t miss the Silverball Museum, where you can try your hand at classic pinball games in retro arcades, and the Paranormal Museum, which houses oddities for your amusement.
7. Hoboken
Hoboken is located on the Hudson River and offers excellent scenes of the Manhattan skyline. Additionally, during your fall visit, you will enjoy walking through charming tree-lined streets with splendid autumn colors.
Make sure you check out the Hoboken Historical Museum and Barsky Gallery to see their latest exhibitions. In addition, Washington Street has unique stores and boutiques for shopping. However, if this isn’t your thing, you can enjoy strolling along the Hoboken Waterfront, breathing in the clean air, and soaking in the views.
8. Trenton
Trenton is the state capital of New Jersey, and it has a lot to offer for history lovers and explorers. The New Jersey State Museum features 4-in-1 museums, a planetarium, a natural history collection, a fine art collection with more than 12,000 works, and an impressive gathering of archeology, ethnography, and cultural history artifacts.
New Jersey has numerous places worth visiting, and we hope our list helps you choose some of the best fall getaways in New Jersey. However, suppose you plan to make your visit a little bit longer, be sure to check out some of the best places with your kids. And, of course, there are tons of day-long activities that can help you and your family welcome fall in unique ways.
Author Bio
Angie Sims used to work in the traveling industry for 6 years, and now she works in the relocation industry. For the last 3 years, she has been specializing in helping people with their domestic and international relocation. She is also a full-time mom and a part-time blog writer. From her own experiences, she writes about traveling and moving with children on her blog.
Updated on September 6, 2024
