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Harvest Festivals, Hayrides, and Fall Fair Fun in New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 09/16/2018 - 12:00pm

The air is crisp, the apples are ripe, and fall fair and harvest festival season is about to get underway! We've rounded up 26 great harvest fests in New Jersey, all packed with signature autumn activities like hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin decorating (and picking), pie contests, scarecrow making, live animals, live music, and more. Some even incorporate a little early Halloween fun.

Read on to find an event near you, including the Great Pumpkin Festival, the Blackwood Pumpkin Festival, and more.

For more seasonal activities around the Garden State, be sure to check out our Fall Fun Guide and our list of 40 Things We Can't Wait To Do with NJ Kids This Fall.

Cool Pumpkin Displays, Festivals, and Decorating Events in NJ

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Fri, 09/14/2018 - 12:16pm

Are your kids already preparing for Halloween, with visions of candy, costumes, and pumpkins dancing in their heads? Kick off the festive fall season at one of the many wonderful pumpkin-themed events happening around NJ, from elaborate pumpkin exhibits and carving competitions to good old-fashioned pumpkin picking and decorating fun.

Read on for our top picks, plus a bonus event that’s worth a drive across the state line. You can find even more even seasonal events in our Fall Fun Guide.

Halloween and Fall Foliage Train Rides for New Jersey Kids

Submitted by Shari Simpson on Thu, 09/13/2018 - 9:30am

Halloween and hayrides go hand in hand, but if you really want to up your game this year, take a trip on a Halloween train! If you have a junior conductor in your family, don't miss out on one of these four seasonal NJ railway adventures—plus one across the Delaware in Pennsylvania.

From spooky to scenic, these rides offer a unique bit of fall fun for the whole family: passengers can take a seat in a vintage caboose, travel through gorgeous fall foliage, visit a pumpkin patch, and even trick-or-treat onboard. After the ride, round out the day with autumn activities like corn mazes, crafts, and a costume party.

Check out our NJ Fall Fun Guide for even more seasonal family fun around the state.

Amazing Corn Mazes at Family-Friendly New Jersey Farms

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Thu, 09/06/2018 - 1:00pm

Get ready… get set… get lost in an amazing New Jersey corn maze! The Garden State is home to oodles of spectacular corn mazes, ranging from massive 10-acre labyrinths to simpler, child-friendly courses, including hay bale mazes just right for toddlers and preschoolers. Games, clues, and even techie bonuses enhance many of the more elaborate maze experiences. Got a tween or teen? Check out courses that are open after hours for a nighttime and sometimes spooky adventure.

Many of these 16 corn mazes we've rounded up are day trip–worthy on their own, but you'll also likely find apple and pumpkin picking options, hayrides, and even fall festivals, plus petting zoos in some instances. So get out your fall to-do list, and navigate your way through one of these great New Jersey corn mazes. Check out our Fall Fun Guide for NJ Kids to find even more ways to enjoy the crisp autumn days.

Best Fall Fairs and Festivals for NJ Families in September

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 08/26/2018 - 8:00am

As the carefree days of summer draw to a close, NJ families can look forward to plenty of fun in the Garden State this fall. Explore nature at the NJ Wild Outdoor Expo, chow down on delicious seafood at the Atlantic City Seafood Festival, or listen to some exciting tales at the NJ Storytelling Festival.

Check out the 13 awesome festivals below, and visit our Events Calendar for more fabulous fall ideas! And sign up for our FREE newsletters to get the best local events and reviews delivered right to your inbox.

Stargazing in NJ: Best Views, Observatories, Astronomy Clubs

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 08/19/2018 - 12:00pm

If you have a little Galileo on your hands, you're in luck: New Jersey is home to a myriad of majestic outdoor stargazing locations, as well as many public observatories and astronomy clubs for the truly dedicated. With the proper equipment, information, and planning, your family can get an up-close look at planets, star clusters, and the moon.

Continue your celestial exploration at area planetariums, including those at Liberty Science Center and the Newark Museum.

Happy stargazing, NJ!

Family-Friendly Walkable Towns in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 08/10/2018 - 1:00pm

Do you ever crave a city scene while living in the suburbs? Like many New Jersey residents, I moved here from Manhattan years ago but still feel that itch for metropolitan perks, like walkability, diversity of restaurants and shops, and an energetic community hub. The good news is, there's no need to leave the state for city amenities. Explore great walkable downtowns right here in New Jersey, where you'll find both chain and independent shops, art museums, unique bookstores, delicious cafes serving up local eats, and more. If you choose to leave the car at home, most of these downtowns are in close proximity to New Jersey Transit trains or buses.

Whether a day trip destination or a quick stop for lunch and shopping, these great walkable downtowns are worth a visit.

Medieval Times: Thrilling Dinner Theater for New Jersey Families

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Thu, 08/09/2018 - 12:45pm

Hear ye, hear ye! My family recently had an AMAZING outing to Medieval Times in Lyndhurst, with dinner and an exciting live show featuring knights on horseback, jousting matches, sword fights, games of skill, and more.

Medieval Times has been wowing New Jersey audiences since 1990, and this year this Medieval realm got a modern update: rather than the King ruling the castle, the Queen is now the centerpiece. In the new show, she has taken over the kingdom from her father and presides over the tournament. Love the girl-power vibe!

Whether your little prince or princess is a toddler, teen, or somewhere in between, this is truly an outing the whole family can enjoy together. Read on to find out what you can expect during a visit to the castle, and check out more themed restaurants here.

Explore Lush Gardens and Nature with Kids at Reeves-Reed Arboretum

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Wed, 08/08/2018 - 1:30pm

The perfect antidote to the stress of crazy family schedules might well be Mother Nature herself—and Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit is just the place to stop and smell the roses.

The Arboretum is not your average park outing; this serene Union County oasis offers some unique and interesing ways to learn about and experience the outdoors while giving the whole family some much needed R&R.

20+ August Fairs and Festivals for New Jersey Families

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Mon, 07/30/2018 - 12:00pm

When it comes to fairs and festivals, August in New Jersey is like one big party! Flutter over to Pennington for a Butterfly Festival, indulge in sweet summer peaches at Princeton's Just Peachy Festival, or enjoy classic fair fun like carnival rides and games at a county fair. With so many options, the family calendar will be packed all month long.

Read on for our top picks, and find more ways to make the most of August with our Summer Fun Guide.