Not only is New Jersey one of the best places to experience the fall with its beautiful foliage and fun U-pick local farms, but it’s also located near a lot of incredible destinations to do fun road trips. From New England to the Poconos, here are the best fall weekend trips from NJ within a four-hour drive or less.
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Best Counties for NJ Vacations in Autumn:
You can do weekend trips from NJ, and there are plenty of New Jersey vacations to enjoy in-state. From conquering one of the many hiking trails to visiting an “Instagrammable” farm, below are the best counties to vacation in the Garden State:
Bergen County:
Located in the Northeastern part of the state, Bergen County is one of the wealthiest and most populated counties in New Jersey. Even though many NJ residents live in Bergen County, there are a lot of beautiful local farms for fall lovers to enjoy pumpkin picking and hayrides, hiking trails for nature lovers and flea markets for wellness lovers.
The best things to do during a fall weekend in Bergen County, NJ are to visit one of the U-pick farms like Abma’s Farm Market in Wyckoff, Demarest Farms in Hillsdale and Secor Farms in Mahwah. At these farms, you could enjoy a fun hayride, go pumpkin picking, say hi to cute farm animals and pick up delicious fall-baked goods like apple cider donuts and pumpkin pie.
Also located in Bergen County are great hiking and walking trails to take in all the fall foliage. The Ramapo Valley County Reservation in Mahwah, Celery Farm Nature Preserve in Allendale and Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve in Franklin Lakes are three great places to visit in New Jersey for free!
One of the most charming villages to visit during a weekend getaway in Bergen County is Ridgewood. It’s a lovely place to stroll around on a crisp fall day!
While you’re in Ridgewood, make sure to stop in one of the many boutiques, enjoy delicious food and drinks at one of the fine dining restaurants, cozy up to a warm beverage at one of the quaint coffee shops and check out the Ridgewood Farmer’s Market on Sundays from 8:30 am to 2 pm.
The best hotel to stay at in Bergen County, New Jersey is the Hilton Woodcliff Lake.
Monmouth County:
Believe it or not, the Jersey Shore makes for one of the best fall weekend getaways in NJ! The weather is still beautiful to sit on the beach or walk one of the many boardwalks and there are also fun parades for Halloween and great outdoor venues with ocean views to enjoy.
One of the best places to visit in Monmouth County is Happy Day Farm in Manalapan. From late August through October, you can enjoy sunflower fields, pumpkin patches, a corn maze, a silo and an “Instagrammable” pumpkin house.
Holland Ridge Farms is another beautiful place to visit during fall in New Jersey. Located in Cream Ridge, Holland Ridge Farms also has sunflower fields from late August through October. From mid-September through mid-October, this Central New Jersey farm also holds the Fall Flower Festival, where you can pick out different flowers for your autumn décor, enjoy food trucks and savor fall treats!
Monmouth County also holds some of the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast. Asbury Park and Long Branch are fun beach towns to visit during a NJ fall. From live music venues like The Stone Pony (where Bruce Springsteen has performed) to fun fall events like the Asbury Park Zombie Walk, there’s a lot of fun and memories to be made at the Jersey Shore during the fall.
Ocean Grove, Atlantic Highlands and Spring Lake are other beautiful beach towns to enjoy in Monmouth County during a NJ weekend getaway in the fall. Take in the fresh Atlantic Ocean air, book a tee time at a golf course, stay at a luxury hotel near the beach, enjoy one of the many NJ beaches with boardwalks and walk through the Gateway National Recreation Area in nearby Sandy Hook.
Like Ridgewood, Red Bank is another charming New Jersey town on the Navesink River. It’s a great place to enjoy fine dining, special events, antique shops and a weekly farmer’s market.
The best place to stay in Monmouth County is The Asbury Hotel in Asbury Park.
Morris County:
Another great county to check out for fall activities is Morris. From enjoying the different bars in Morristown for Halloween to visiting one of the many farms or fall festivals, there’s a lot to do in this New Jersey county during the autumn months.
One of the best farms to visit in Morris County is Ort Farms in Long Valley. This scenic New Jersey farm is great for all ages and includes hayrides to the patch where you can pick the perfect pumpkin!
This beautiful farm also has a fun corn maze to get lost in, orchards to pick your own apples, farm animals to say hi to, a market that includes Jersey-grown produce and a bakery for apple cider donuts. You can also enjoy food trucks and there are fun kiddie rides. Overall, Ort Farms is a fun place to visit during autumn, in addition to other fabulous flower farms and gardens in New Jersey.
Located near Ort Farms is Schooley’s Mountain Park in Long Valley to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage, conquer a challenging hike, enjoy easy walking trails and admire stunning nature.
From mid to the end of September, you could enjoy the Parsippany Fall Festival and Morristown Fall Festival, where you could participate in family-friendly activities, savor delicious food from local restaurants, listen to live music and more.
You also can’t skip visiting the Grand Harvest Wine Festival at Fosterfields Farm in Morristown during October. Morristown is a charming area to enjoy great restaurants, fun bars, wonderful boutique shops and more.
The best place to stay in Morris County is the Archer Hotel in Florham Park.
Sussex County:
Situated in the northernmost part of New Jersey and at the highest elevation in the state, Sussex County is a must-visit during the fall months. Part of New Jersey’s Skylands Region, in the Appalachian Mountains, Sussex County is perfect for hiking, mountain biking and other fun outdoor adventures.
One of the best NJ vacations is staying at Crystal Springs Resort‘s Grand Cascades Lodge and enjoying everything the nearby Mountain Creek offers. You could also appreciate all the epic hiking trails in Western New Jersey during a stay in this area.
Located in Hamburg, New Jersey, Crystal Springs is a luxury resort with incredible dining, a wine cellar, an award-winning spa, six top-rated golf courses, a wellness program, beautiful pools and more. It was rated New Jersey’s Favorite Resort and it’s perfect for a romantic weekend getaway, family vacation, girls/guys trip and more.
Mountain Creek, New Jersey’s premier four-season resort is not too far from Grand Cascades Lodge, one of the best short-stay hotels. It includes a ski mountain with snow tubing, mountain bike trails, a waterpark, zip tours and a mountain coaster. During fall in Sussex County, you can enjoy the mountain coaster, participate in the zip tours that will take you through New Jersey’s best fall foliage and go mountain biking!
Because fall is one of the best times to go hiking in New Jersey, you must go to High Point. This mountain peak is situated in High Point State Park between the towns of Wantage and Montague. It’s recognized as New Jersey’s highest peak at 1,803 above sea level.
The trail I recommend doing at High Point State Park is the Sawmill Lake to Monument High Point. It’s a 5.3-mile, out-and-back trail that is considered a moderately challenging route. On this hike, you can enjoy the colorful leaves, go bird watching and get incredible pictures of the monument and views.
The most charming town to visit in Sussex County in the fall is Lake Mohawk in the town of Sparta. Located on the glistening lake, this area features a boardwalk with incredible shops, restaurants, bakeries and beautiful views to admire the foliage.
Memorable Fall Weekend Trips from NJ:
Top Fall Weekend Getaways in the Tri-State Area:
New York City:
Undoubtedly, one of the best and easiest weekend trips from New Jersey to take during the fall months is to New York City!
Staying in Manhattan can be hectic, so I suggest booking a stay at Arlo Williamsburg (formerly The Williamsburg Hotel) in Brooklyn. This luxurious hotel has spacious rooms with iconic bathrooms overlooking the NYC skyline. There’s also a fabulous rooftop to enjoy sunset views!
During a fall trip to New York City, you must go to Central Park. New York City’s grandest park is in Uptown and is the perfect place to visit during any of the four seasons. In the fall, you can enjoy all the gorgeous golden, red and orange colors illuminating the park.
The best things to do in Central Park during autumn are to take a horse and carriage tour, rent a bike, enjoy a picnic in the park, visit the Central Park Zoo, ride a boat on the lake, visit the Belvedere Castle, check out Wagner Cove and enjoy the beauty at Wood Chip Vantage Point.
Since New York City still has warm weather through most of the fall, you must also do a food tour through Brooklyn, walk the Highline, visit one of the many rooftops like Eataly, enjoy one of the venues on the Hudson River like Grand Banks and walk over the Brooklyn Bridge.
Other fun things to do in NYC during the fall are visiting a museum like the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, seeing a Broadway show like Hamilton, taking a fun fitness class, shopping in Soho and I could go on.
Finger Lakes, New York:
The Finger Lakes in Upstate New York make for one of the best long weekend trips from NJ during fall. Overall, 11 lakes comprise the Finger Lakes region: Conesus, Hemlock, Canadice, Honeoye, Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca, Cayuga, Owasco, Skaneateles and Otisco.
There is nothing like fall in the Finger Lakes! Not only are there award-winning wineries along the Finger Lakes, but you could also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, from hiking to water sports like boating and jet skiing.
One of the best hotels in the Finger Lakes is the Inns of Aurora on Cayuga Lake. It is recognized as one of the best historical sites in the Finger Lakes, being one of the Historic Homes of America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Inns of Aurora has a great mix of luxurious old-world charm with modern amenities.
During a stay at Inns of Aurora on Cayuga Lake, you must visit Fargo Bar & Grill for cozy tavern vibes and outdoor fire pits under stringed lights. It’s the perfect place to spend a fall evening and don’t forget to enjoy the s’mores dip.
Other wonderful things to do in the Finger Lakes are to go wine tasting at one of the many wineries like Long Point Winery and Bright Leaf Vineyard, walk through MacKenzie-Childs Headquarters, hike through Watkins Glen and visit the charming Hallmark town of Skaneateles.
Hudson Valley, New York:
Visiting the Hudson Valley is one of the most convenient weekend getaways in the Tri-State area! Located right above the New Jersey/New York state line, the Hudson Valley offers great options for fall activities, from attending spooky events like The Great Jack O Lantern Blaze to visiting apple orchards and cider mills like Applewood Winery and Cider Mead.
The best hotel in the Hudson Valley is Hotel Nyack in Nyack, New York. This trendy chic hotel was once a warehouse transformed into a place for creative souls and business travelers alike. Hotel Nyack has loft-style guest rooms, a pool, a bar and a restaurant called FARM at Nyack, which offers delicious seafood, pasta and steaks.
There are numerous places to do it all, such as pumpkin and apple picking while tasting different ciders, wines and beers. A few of the best places to visit during autumn are Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery, Pennings Orchard & Cidery and Applewood Winery and Cider Mead, all in Warwick, NY. Most of these farms also have live music, fall harvest events and great food trucks.
In addition to U-pick farms, cideries and wineries, the Hudson Valley boasts many great hiking trails, from fun scrambles to overlook trails. The best hikes in the Hudson Valley for a great adventure are Breakneck Ridge in Cold Spring, Mount Beacon in Beacon, Lemon Squeeze and Eagle Cliff in New Paltz and the numerous trails at Bear Mountain State Park and Harriman State Park.
The Great Jack O Lantern Blaze near Sleepy Hollow also occurs in the Hudson Valley in West Chester County. The Blaze is a fun walk-through experience where you can admire 7,000 illuminated hand-carved pumpkins, making the Sleepy Hollow area one of the best weekend trips from NJ.
Overall, many New Yorkers love to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a great weekend getaway in the Hudson Valley. There’s easy access to the Hudson Valley from the Metro-North Railroad, which you can pick up at Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.
Mystic, Connecticut:
Connecticut is one of the best states that offers charming fall villages within 3 hours away from New Jersey. Recognized as one of New England’s most beautiful beach towns, Mystic is a lovely place to enjoy delicious seafood, great shopping and historic sites.
One of the best places to stay in Mystic, Connecticut is at Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa. Chapter One, Oyster Club and Captain Daniel Packer Inne Restaurant are the top places to eat seafood in this New England small town.
What makes Mystic famous is that the 1988 film Mystic Pizza, starring Julia Roberts took place at this lovely fall destination. Located on West Main Street in Mystic, you could visit the pizza parlor, enjoy the famous photos on the walls and savor one of the renowned Mystic Pizza pies.
Other memorable things to do in Mystic during fall weekend trips from NJ are to enjoy all the shops downtown, visit Olde Mystick Village, head to the Mystic Aquarium or Seaport Museum and enjoy outdoor activities and fall foliage at Bluff Point State Park.
New England Weekend Getaways from NJ:
Newport, Rhode Island:
Newport is another one of the best fall weekend trips from NJ within a three-hour drive. From the vibrant leaves to the cozy seafood restaurants, there are many reasons why Newport, Rhode Island is a popular destination for autumn.
The best place to stay in Newport, Rhode Island is the Hammetts Hotel, a beautiful, nautical, luxury boutique hotel centrally located on the iconic wharf. Not only can you enjoy the variety of modern rooms and suites that offer stunning views of the city and boats, but the hotel’s restaurant and bar are also notable.
One of the top reasons Newport makes for one of the best weekend getaways is because there are a lot of great restaurants to enjoy. The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar, the Red Parrot Restaurant and Pasta Beach are some of the best!
During a fall trip to Newport, Rhode Island, you must enjoy the scenic Newport Cliff Walk, tour the Newport Mansions (the best are The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House), stroll around the charming city and go shopping, visit a winery (Greenvale Vineyard is a top choice when it comes to foliage) and sail along the Narragansett River.
Woodstock, Vermont:
One of the best New England weekend getaways from NJ is to Woodstock, Vermont. This charming fall town resembles what you’d see in a Hallmark movie. Woodstock has lovely inns, bed and breakfasts, bright leaves, covered bridges and scenic farms.
The leading hotel to stay at in Woodstock, Vermont is the Woodstock Inn & Resort. It’s a historic inn in the heart of town, boasting cozy fireplaces, a spa, a county club, cooking classes and more. Another one of the best places to stay in Woodstock is 506 On the River Inn.
One of the top places to eat in Woodstock is 506 Bistro & Bar. It’s a locally sourced restaurant with a seasonal menu and craft cocktails. Other great restaurants in Woodstock, VT are Mont Vert Café for breakfast, Richardson’s Tavern and The Prince and The Pauper for lunch and dinner.
The best things to do in Woodstock during autumn are to stroll through the charming downtown area and admire the fall foliage, discover Vermont’s famous covered bridges like the Middle Covered Bridge and the Taftsville Covered Bridge and enjoy the beauty at Sleepy Hollow Farm. These spots are some of the best places to see fall foliage in Vermont!
Salem, Massachusetts:
Salem is one of the best weekend getaways from NJ for families due to its fun Halloween activities and association with Disney’s Hocus Pocus. This historic town has something for all ages to enjoy and must be added to your New England fall bucket list!
Even though Salem is a short drive from Boston, it’s best to stay in the heart of town to do all the fun activities. Two of the best hotels to stay at in Salem, Massachusetts are The Merchant and The Hotel Salem.
This charming fall city also has a lot of great restaurants like Ledger, Bambolina and Settler as well as fun drink spots like Notch Brewery and Far from the Tree Cidery.
During a fall trip to Salem, Massachusetts, you must learn about the 1692 Salem Witch Trials by visiting the Salem Witch Museum, The Witch House, House of the Seven Gables and participating in a Salem walking tour. The city of Salem also has interesting haunts, so it’s a must to do a ghost tour during your weekend getaway.
Since Salem is also famous for the 1993 film Hocus Pocus, it’s a must to visit all the famous spots from the movie. The filming locations are at The Ropes Mansion, Old Town Hall, Pioneer Village in Forest River Park, Phillips Elementary School on Salem Common (now an office building), Old Burial Hill in Marblehead and Max and Dani’s house (now a residential home).
In October, you must also enjoy Salem’s Haunted Happenings and visit Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery and shop. The charm of this fun Halloween city is one of the top reasons why Salem makes for one of the leading autumn weekend trips from NJ.
Boston, Massachusetts:
It’s no secret that Boston is one of the best fall weekend trips from NJ. The capital city of Massachusetts is recognized for its charming neighborhoods like Beacon Hill, beautiful parks for foliage, a renowned dining scene and fun bars to enjoy with friends.
When looking for unique accommodation in Boston, I suggest The Liberty Hotel. It’s the former Charles Street Jail that was turned into a luxury hotel. It boasts modern rooms, great restaurants and fun bars to enjoy with friends.
From watching a New England Patriots game to visiting a fun fall brewery like Sam Adam’s or Harpoon, there’s a lot of fun to be had during a fall trip to Boston, Massachusetts. You must also enjoy a lobster roll from Pauli’s or a brick oven pizza from State Street Provisions.
The best places to embrace the beauty of autumn are the Boston Common and Boston Public Garden, as well as Beacon Hill.
Boston Common is a 50-acre urban park that hosted British troops during the American Revolution. Boston Public Garden is a lovely area to stroll through during a romantic getaway to Beantown. Lastly, Beacon Hill is a charming neighborhood with cobblestoned streets, beautiful houses, cozy cafés, lovely boutiques and more.
Drivable Vacations from NJ:
Lewes, Delaware:
Cape May is one of the best New Jersey weekend getaways and Lewes, Delaware, is located a ferry ride away across the Delaware Bay. Lewes is the first town in the first state of the United States and it’s a charming destination for history buffs to enjoy in the fall!
One of the best places to stay in this lovely area is Hyatt House Lewes/Rehoboth Beach. You must also eat and drink at Eggcellent for breakfast, Kindle for lunch and Heirloom for dinner, along with Dogfish Head Brewery for craft beer, Nassau Valley Vineyards & Winery for local wine and Beach Time Distilling for spirits.
What’s great about Lewes, Delaware is that it’s close to Rehoboth Beach to enjoy a day by the sea (if the weather permits). September and early October still boast beach weather!
The best things to do on a fall weekend trip to Lewes, DE, from New Jersey are to learn about Lewes’ history at the Zwaanendael Museum, visit the Lightship Overfalls, tour the Cannonball House and walk around Cape Henlopen State Park.
Cape May is also a wonderful weekend getaway in NJ. The best place to stay is at Congress Hall and you must enjoy the beach, visit renowned restaurants like Washington Inn, go wine tasting at Cape May Winery & Vineyard, see the Cape May Lighthouse, go shopping at the Washington Street Mall and tour the historic homes.
Poconos, Pennsylvania:
Another fantastic fall weekend trip from NJ is to the Pocono Mountains in Northeastern Pennsylvania. From luxury lodges to family-friendly resorts, the Poconos are a great choice for an autumn getaway!
A beautiful accommodation that makes for one of the top weekend getaways from NJ for couples is the Lodge at Woodloch. It’s a destination resort with a luxury spa, outdoor adventures, a golf course, culinary experiences and more. The Lodge at Woodloch is a stunning property that offers cozy fireplaces and fire pits to warm up to on a crisp day, along with walking and bike trails to enjoy the colorful leaves and a variety of fitness and wellness classes.
Epic family resorts in the Poconos are Kalahari Resort and Great Wolf Lodge. These resorts offer a fun vibe with spacious rooms and an indoor waterpark. During a stay at the Poconos’ Kalahari Resort, you could also enjoy their fantastic spa while the kids are at the waterpark or arcade.
Another great thing to do in the Poconos during the fall is to enjoy one of the many hiking trails; a great choice is to see Bushkill Falls. You must also go horseback riding and enjoy archery during your getaway!
Baltimore, Maryland:
A city that is often overlooked as a fall destination and makes for one of the best drivable vacations from NJ is Baltimore, Maryland. It’s a beautiful harbor city with historic sites that date back to the Civil War, incredible seafood restaurants, live entertainment and outdoor trails.
The best place to stay in Baltimore during autumn is Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore. It’s a modern and urban retreat situated on Baltimore’s Harbor East. It has waterfront views, incredible restaurants, a rooftop pool and an ice-skating rink during the winter, starting at the end of November.
Maryland is known for its crabs with Old Bay. An incredible place to enjoy Maryland crabs during a fall trip to Baltimore is Captain James Crab House. Other great eateries in Baltimore, MD are The Corner Pantry, Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, Dylan’s Oyster Cellar, Paulie Gee’s, Chiyo Sushi and Petit Louis Bistro.
During a fall weekend trip to Baltimore from New Jersey, you must drive the Charles Street National Scenic Byway for fall foliage, see a Raven’s football game, go wine tasting at the nearby Boordy Vineyards, do a ghost tour, enjoy one of the many live music venues, tour Fort McHenry and visit a local U-pick farm.
Hershey, Pennsylvania:
Another of the best fall weekend trips from NJ, perfect for all ages, is Hershey, Pennsylvania. Located just outside Pennsylvania’s capital city, Harrisburg, Hershey is home to Milton Hershey’s famous chocolate factory and theme park.
The best place to stay in Hershey is at The Hotel Hershey. It includes a beautiful indoor and outdoor pool, a sports and fitness complex, a spa, dining facilities and fun outdoor activities. What’s awesome about enjoying the spa at The Hotel Hershey is that not only could you enjoy one of their signature chocolate treatments, but there are also pumpkin spice massages offered during autumn.
Starting mid-September through October, you and your family could enjoy Hersheypark Halloween. The entire amusement park is decorated for spooky season. One of the top things to do at this fun park is to enjoy Halloween fun by participating in Hershey’s Chocolate World’s Trick or Treat Trail.
In addition to kid-friendly activities, you could also partake in Hersheypark’s Dark Nights. With a ticket, enjoy five different haunted houses, three scare zones, thrilling roller coasters and dark rides, Halloween entertainment and more. With a Fast Track purchase, you could skip lines to the rides!
Other great things to do in the Hershey area during a fall getaway are to admire the colorful foliage on a Pride of the Susquehanna riverboat in Harrisburg, go apple and pumpkin picking at Strites Orchard in Harrisburg, enjoy wine and beer tasting with food trucks at Spring Gate Vineyard in Harrisburg, conquer the Hawk Rock hike, which is part of the Appalachian Trail and sip local craft beer at The Brewery at Hershey.
Other great fall weekend trips from NJ are below:
The Berkshires, Massachusetts
White Mountains of New Hampshire
Western Catskills, New York
I hope you all enjoyed discovering the best fall weekend trips from NJ. If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected].
Basic Facts of the United States:
Currency: United States Dollar, Capital: Washington D.C., NJ State Capital: Trenton, Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time
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