Ah, Fall. That season when you thought you were going to have all that time because your kids were going to be back in school and a routine and you'd finally get that stuff on the to-do list done. But the to-do list is always going to be there so instead of wasting these gorgeous weekends doing yard work or cleaning the garage, pack the kids in the car and head out for an adventure with these 10 Can't Miss Things to Do in Bergen County this Fall. The garage will always be there. Make the memories while your yummy little ones are still little (and yummy).
Get Spooked: So many Halloween activities and so little time right? Check out our boo-tiful list of 20 ghastly must-do's in NJ
Go Down the Shore: Zombies will walk among us on October 5th during the annual kick off to the Halloween season at the Asbury Park Zombie Walk. There will be professional makeup demos, a Thriller dance lesson, a Jell-O brain eating contest and a costume contest. Plus all those ghastly ghouls will gather to lurch along the street in a giant, zombie parade. Or, for a completely different event (and a slightly longer drive), go fly a kite at the LBI Fly International Kite Festival. There will be demos, competitions, candy drops, kite making workshops and the Kitty Hawk Marketplace. Held over the Columbus Day weekend, Friday, October 11 – Sunday, October 13, this event is free to the public. PS – Don’t want to drive back home? Check out where to stay here.
Camp Out: The weather is perfect for camping so before the winter us upon us, plan a weekend outdoors at one of these camping spots. Or, if you’d rather camp someplace a little more civilized, book a spot for the Diggerland USA Family Campout and Dig In on October 26th. Your family will have exclusive access to attractions and the arcade with unlimited zipline access. Bring your own tent but dinner, the bonfire, s’mores and breakfast are included.
Take a Cruise: Yeah, we know you’re imagining a ship and an exotic location, but how about just cruising up the Hudson to see the fall foliage. You can sail on a schooner, have an elegant lunch, or do a little polka dancing while leaf peeping. Kids are welcome on most of these cruises. Or you can just sneak off with your honey for a little one-on-one time.
Join the Circus: Okay, don’t. But at least go see one for a day. The Big Apple Circus returns to NYC on October 12th (we love this funny and benign circus for little kids). But if you need a circus fix before then, the Circo Hermanos Vazquez is performing now through October 7th at Westfield Garden State Plaza.
Pick Your Own….Apples: It’s not fall until you’ve headed out to the orchard to lug giant bags full of apples back home for apple pie. Plus, apple cider doughnuts are about the best thing ever. Here’s where you can go.
Get Lost: It’s maze season and there’s nothing more fun than worrying that you will never, ever find your way out of the endless trails of corn. Lose your way in Heaven Hill Farm’s Down on the Farm maze, the largest corn maze in Northern NJ, located in Vernon, NJ. Or make a day of it and visit Stony Hill Farm Maze Fun Park in Chester to try your hand and test your sense of direction. Then stick around for the fence maze, the tile maze, the rope maze and more. Or, pick a package and get access to the corn maze, Mazeland mazes and much more at Wightman Farms in Morristown.
Pop Up: So so so many pop-ups. For eco-themed fun head to Arcadia Earth or the Ocean Cube. If you want something “pixel perfect” for your Instagram, head to the just opened Pixinity with themes inspired by gaming, pop culture and animation. And don’t forget the Museum of Ice Cream is now a permanent pop-up, as is the Museum of Illusion!
Shop Til You Drop: The retail landscape in Northern NJ is changing once again with the opening of Stew Leonard’s at Paramus Park, the upcoming opening of the American Dream Mall and the renovations to the Shops at Riverside. Even more reasons to indulge in a little (or a lot of) retail therapy.
See a Show: bergenPAC is hosting events like the Big Bubble Bonanza, TOTO in concert, a screening of Hocus Pocus with Kathy Najimy and Family Feud Live, among other can’t miss events. At NJPAC, you can see Sesame Street Live!, hear the score of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince played by a live orchestra, or delight your kids with Paw Patrol Live! No job’s too big, no pup’s too small!
