Because nothing quite says “get me out of the house, NOW” like the endless looping pop songs on your tween’s playlist, we present to you our newest compilation of Fall’s Greatest Hits. Number 1: Have fun. Number 2: Take the kids! Number 3: Read on for 15 of the best family-friendly things to do in Northern NJ and beyond this season.
Go Apple and Pumpkin Picking: Nothing screams fall like a day of pumpkin picking, corn-mazing and hitting the hayrides. Take a look at some of our best apple picking spots near and far for insane corn mazes, pumpkin picking (starts late September!) and farm family fun.
Head Downtown Visit the new Seaglass Carousel in Battery Park which boasts 30 gorgeously designed fiberglass fish illuminated by hundreds of LEDs. Then check out the One World Observatory in the brand new One World Tower where you will ascend to the 102 floor in under 60 seconds in one of their skypod elevators and be rewarded with 360 degree unobstructed views and a virtual history lesson. Little foodies will love the selection of eclectic eats at One World Mix, which serves small plates inspired by NYC’s best cuisines.
Take a Hike Fall is the perfect time for a hike and we’ve got some of the most beautiful places to get moving right here in Bergen County. The Palisades Interstate Park offers over 30 miles of well documented trails ranging from easy to hard alongside the Hudson River. Or visit dog-friendly Ramapo Valley Reservation with over 12 great trails, some bordering on ponds and all guaranteeing fabulous foliage.
See Illuminated Pumpkins: Snag Tickets to The Great Jack O Lantern Blaze event before it sells out where more than 7,000 handcarved illuminated pumpkins will enthrall your entire family. Or hit up Boo at the Zoo at the Bronx Zoo to see their over 1,000 illuminated pumpkins, themed 3D carved pumpkin displays and dress up for their costume parade.
Dine Farm to Table How to enjoy the fall harvest? Eat on a farm! We’re really excited about renowned Chef Anthony Pino’s Farm to Fork Event at City Green where four family-style courses will be served along with a wine pairing (Saturday, October 3rd, 5:30, $100pp, Clifton), or check out Terre a Terre’s Chef Todd Villani’s Four Course Farm to Table dinner to benefit NJ’s Slow Food School and Community Garden Fund (Thursday, October 8th, 7pm, $80/pp, Carlstadt).
Engorge on Insta-worthy Eeeeeeats 95 degree days and having to don a bathing suit every weekend doesn’t exactly make us feel food-fest-ish. But October changes EVERYTHING. These are the perfect months to hit up NYC’s Smorgasburg: a huge outdoor food market serving everything from mangoes on a stick to ramen burgers. It’s a fun chance to try new things and trust us your tweens will thank you for the photo-ready eats later. Younger ones will enjoy the Food Film Fest in late October, a film festival which features films about food and then serves samples of what they see on the screen.
Take Some Gorgeous Family Photos Without a doubt fall foliage makes for the perfect backdrop. Grab the fam and get outside for a family photoshoot with one of these amazing local shutterbugs or create your own photoshoot with these great tips from expert momtographer Elise Campbell.
Take a Scenic Drive With peak foliage dates ranging from mid-October through early November, you may want to take it all in via a gorgeous drive. Grab a picnic lunch and head north on the Palisades Parkway to Bear Mountain for breathtaking views or cross the Tappan Zee and head north on Rte 22 towards Brewster, and enjoy a stretch of winding two-lane highway flanked by umbrellas of lush foliage, covered bridges and rippling streams and end up at Salingers Orchard for apple picking, pies and farm fun.
Send Them Into the Kitchen: Fall sweets and treats are fun at Chef Central’s Cooking School. Big kids and little ones make Spooky Cupcakes, or check out their Halloween House Decoration classes which coincide with Halloween. Wannabe bakers will love Carlo’s Bakery’s Ridgewood Baking Classes featuring a Fall Flower Cake, where your child can learn the nuances of cake decor and take home an entire creation.
Give Back: Get in the spirit of giving back by volunteering at a local charity in need where family participation is encouraged.
Light Up the Night: Whether you hit up the huge annual Lanternfest in the Poconos or NYC’s version in Morningside Heights at the Common Ground Festival your kids will be awe-stricken at the dazzling outdoor light displays in weather still warm enough to spend the evening outside.
Learn How to Cider: Make your own cider, learn how to use a press and end with a sweet sip at Tenafly Nature Center’s annual cidering workshops. Just don’t forget to BYOA (bring your own apples).
Spend the Night at the Museum: Book a spot in Liberty Science Center’s Family Halloween Camp In and get spooky with science. Meet zombies, enjoy the Halloween activities and get to explore all of the exhibits after-hours.
Hit Up a Harvest Festival: One definite for fall? You will probably hit a Harvest Fest at least one weekend. Check out Hoboken’s annual fest in Mid October for live music, a corn maze and inflatables, or for a farm-i-er version we love Stone Barns Center’s Harvest Fest which sells out annually (so snag your tickets early!)
Get a Sugar Rush: Satisfy your sweet tooth at the new Dylans Candy Bar in Union Square which goes beyond the candy shop with a cafe open for breakfast and fun in-store events. Or snag a hard-to-book table at the expanded Sugar Factory in the meatpacking district and sip on sweet, smoking mocktails that will make any day feel like a celebration.
