Welcome back to fall!
Fall is such a fantastic time for family fun in New Jersey. It’s still warm enough for a free outdoor movie on a Friday night or a beach day after school. Amusement parks stay open and get decked out in their Halloween best. New Jersey farms open up with corn mazes, pumpkin patches, hayrides, and apple picking. And with an abundance of school holidays there’s no reason to not get away for some family fun at one of these New Jersey events, local day trips, or even a fall-themed family vacation.
We’ve packed lots of ideas into this fall’s edition of our Fantastic Fall Things to Do for NJ Families ~ Fall Day Trips & Destinations. If you’ve been reading Jersey Family Fun for a while, make sure you bookmark this page, this fall guide for family fun will be updated frequently for 2017. It’s organized by topics such as events, activities, day trips, and family vacation ideas. Most of the headings, subheadings, images, and titles, are clickable. Meaning if you click on them they will take you right to the information you are looking for. With the majority of our readers reading our articles on the go from their mobile devices, we do hope this new fall guide format will make it easier for all of you.
The other advantage of this year’s Fantastic Fall Things to Do for NJ Families ~ Fall Day Trips & Destinations is that as we discover more ideas for great family fun in New Jersey, we can add it to this listing, constantly keeping you up to date on things to do with kids in New Jersey and our region.
My thanks to our team that continues to grow. I am constantly amazed at the fun things to do in New Jersey that they find. From New Jersey events to day trips, they are discovering all of New Jersey’s treasures that families will want to enjoy. My thanks also to Sahl’s Father Son Farm. We have had the good fortune to work with them for the past four years. This year they are back and are sponsoring our fall guide as well. We could not be more thrilled. If you would like to advertise in this or future guides, send us an email at jenniferauer@jerseyfamilyfun.com.
No matter what adventures you choose this fall, our wish for you is that you have the best of times with your loved ones while on them.
All the best,
Jennifer Auer, Editor
Fantastic Fall Things to Do for NJ Families
Local Events for New Jersey Families
Free & Discounted Admission Days at New Jersey Family Attractions
Bank of America Free Admission Weekends Participating Museums 2017
Nationwide Museums with Free Admission on Museum Day Live
Free & Discounted Admission Days at Philadelphia Family Attractions
Bank of America Free Admission Weekends Participating Museums 2017
First Wednesday $2 Admission Days At the Please Touch Museum
The Philadelphia Museum of Modern Art Pay What You Wish Days
FREE Admission Days At the Franklin Institute ~ Target Community Days
Nationwide Museums with Free Admission on Museum Day Live
Free & Discounted Admission Days at New York Family Attractions
Bank of America Free Admission Weekends Participating Museums 2017
Nationwide Museums with Free Admission on Museum Day Live
Events from Jersey Family Fun Advertisers
Diggerland USA Upcoming Events
Tuckerton Seaport Upcoming Events
Unique Events in New Jersey
The 9th Annual Downtown Cranford Scarecrow Stroll – Currently updating for 2017
Barnegat Pirates Day
Four Centuries in a Weekend? It’s possible in Union County! – Currently updating for 2017
Get Outside & Help on National Public Lands Day at these Great Events
Jersey Family Fun’s 7th Birthday Party ~ Southern New Jersey – – Currently planning 2017’s party
New Jersey Free Fishing Days – Currently updating for 2017
New Jersey Beach Cleanups on Saturday, October 21, 2017
NJKC Dog Show
Riverfest/Fishing Derby – Secaucus
Will You Accept the Lighthouse Challenge?
Unique Events in Philadelphia
Unique Events in New York
NYC Fall Broadway Week – Experience Broadway For Less!
New Jersey Festivals
New Jersey Fairs & Festivals
New Jersey Food Truck Festivals
Holiday Events in New Jersey
Halloween Events in New Jersey – We will soon be updating these articles for Halloween 2017
Halloween Events in New Jersey with FREE or Almost FREE Admission
Celebrate Halloween at Tuckerton Seaport’s Haunted Seaport
iPlay America Spooky Spooktacular Halloween
Six Flags Great Adventure Fright Fest – Articles about our experience at Fright Fest 2016
Six Flags Great Adventure Fright Fest – Be Scared If You Dare
19 Ways to GET SCARED at Six Flags Great Adventure Fright Fest
Trick or Treat Times in New Jersey Currently updating for 2017
New Jersey Haunted Houses & Halloween Displays
NJEA School Holidays ~ 70+ Free Things to Do with Your Kids During NJEA School Holidays
Sporting Events in New Jersey
Local Hockey Teams to Watch with Your Family
Our Entire Calendar of New Jersey Events
Free Food & Meals Days
Kids Eat Free Days in New Jersey
Where Kids Can Eat Free This Halloween Soon to be updated for 2017
Local Activities for New Jersey Kids
Only have a few hours, but still want some great family fun in New Jersey? We can help! Whether it’s a few hours after school or a weekend these New Jersey activities and day trip ideas will keep your kids busy and having fun.
Geocaching ~ 8 Reasons Geocaching is Better Than Pokemon Go
Kids Bowl Free
Kids Skate Free
Fantastic Fall Day Trips for Local Families
New Jersey school calendars are very generous when it comes to giving kids half-days and days off during the fall. Religious holidays, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, NJEA Conference, Election Day and parent teacher conferences are all great opportunities for kids to enjoy one of these local day trips in New Jersey, New York, or Pennsylvania. Tip: Travel out of state during the NJEA conference for smaller crowds as only NJ students will be out of school that day.
Great New Jersey Day Trips for Kids
New Jersey Attractions with Free Admission
5 Free Things to Do in Hunterdon County With Your Kids
Hunterdon County Hiking for Kids at the Hunterdon County Arboretum
6 FREE Places to Visit In Your Community
Local Family Attractions with Military Discounts
Your New Jersey Library Card Can Mean FREE Admission to Local Museums
New Jersey Amusement Parks & Theme Parks
Diggerland USA ~ 8 Reasons to Love Diggerland USA
Diggerland USA ~ Fall is Still a Great Time to Experience Diggerland USA!
Diggerland USA ~ 3 Can’t Miss Activities at Diggerland USA
Funplex Mt. Laurel ~ Spend A Day At The Boardwalk With The Funplex
iPlay America ~ 4 iPlay America Bill’s Garage Activities Kids will love!
Spend a Day at Adventure Aquarium
4 Ways to Experience Sharks at Adventure Aquarium
New Jersey Bowling Alleys
Sparta Lanes ~ Bowling Fun in Sussex County
Apple Picking Farms in New Jersey
Best Places to Pick Your Own Apples in Gloucester County
Best Places to Pick Your Own Apples in Monmouth County
Where to Pick Apples in Hunterdon and Somerset Counties New Jersey
Where to Pick Apples in Mercer and Middlesex Counties New Jersey
Where to Pick Apples in Morris County, Sussex County, and Warren County New Jersey
Education & Farm Family Fun at Swan Bay Folk Art Center
Furry Fun For Everyone at Jersey Shore Alpacas!
Local Farmers Markets at the Jersey Shore
Our Favorite Pumpkin Picking Spots in New Jersey
Our Trip to The Funny Farm! ~ An Atlantic County Animal Rescue Center
Sahl’s Father Son Farm ~ Back for Another Great Year of Family Fun Details for 2017 coming soon
New Jersey Sunflower Farms and Mazes
Cape May County’s Best Kept Secret, A Sunflower Farm
New Jersey Gardens & Arboretums
New Jersey Indoor Play AreasRock Climbing to the Top at The Gravity Vault Chatham
Articles about Absecon Lighthouse
Review of Hereford Inlet Lighthouse
Articles about Tinicum Rear Range Lighthouse
Articles about Tuckerton Seaport
Review of Finn’s Rear Range Lighthouse
A Trip to the Roebling Museum ~ A Fun and Informative Family Visit
New Jersey Parks & Playgrounds
Hawk Rise Sanctuary ~ Linden’s Nature & Wildlife Trail
Lots to Explore at Great Swamp
New Jersey Skating Rinks
Ice Skating Rinks in New Jersey
Roller Skating Rinks in New Jersey
New Jersey State Parks & Forests
Sahara Sam’s Oasis ~ 5 Sahara Sam’s Indoor Play Areas to Discover with Your Kids
The Popcorn Park Zoo ~ A Fun, Feel-Good Family Day Trip
Places to See Dinosaurs in New Jersey
Outdoor Day Trips in New Jersey
Explore the Manasquan Reservoir
6 Great Places to Take a Nature Walk in Atlantic County
8 Ways to Spend a Day at Sandy Hook
Unique Day Trips in New Jersey
Dr. William Robinson Plantation – Clark
Find the Magic at Columbia Trail in Hunterdon County
Five Ways to Spend a Fall Day in Mercer County
Historic Village at Allaire – History Comes to Life
Mercer County – Our Favorite Spots to Learn About the History of New Jersey
Monarch Tagging at Cape May Point State Park
New Jersey’s Most Unique Ice Cream Parlors
Our Amazing Adventure Going Tree to Tree in Cape May
Our Favorite Spooky Places in Hunterdon County
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park & The Day With No Falls!
Soupy Island a Hidden Treasure of Gloucester County
Take a Trip Through America’s Past at Morris County Historical Sites
Visit the Miller-Cory House for a Trip Into Union County History
Where to see Trains in New Jersey
6 Things to do at the Whippany Railway Museum
Great Philadelphia Day Trips for Kids
Dorney Park ~ A Great Time for the Whole Family!
Pennsylvania Museums
Academy of Natural Sciences ~ Dinosaurs Unearthed Returns
Please Touch Museum ~ Our Favorite Parts of the Please Touch Museum
13 Secrets to an Amazing Adventure at the Philadelphia Zoo
Great New York Day Trips for Kids
New York City Attractions with Free Admission
Our Visit to the Bronx Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo
Fantastic Ideas for Fall Family Vacations
New Jersey kids have off for different holidays and reasons this fall. Sometimes these holidays fall on Fridays or Mondays. These extended weekends off from school are a perfect opportunity to get away for fall family vacations. Check out our family travel series to get ideas for your next fall family vacation.
California Family Vacations
Connecticut Family Vacations
Maryland Family Vacations
Massachusetts Family Vacations
Minnesota Family Vacations
New Hampshire Family Vacations
New Jersey Family Vacations
New York Family Vacations
Pennsylvania Family Vacations
My Daughter’s Mermaid Experience at Kalahari Resorts
Washington DC Family Vacations
Virginia Family Vacations
Washington DC Family Vacations (coming soon)
Family Vacations Abroad
Where are you excited to take your kids to this fall?
My family would love to visit six flags, Dorney park, and the pumpkin patch this fall! Also would love to see Niagara Falls around this season!
My kids want to go to Sahara sams
My family is interested in a NYC day trip!
We really want to hike The Stairway to Heaven Appalachian Trail with the kids this fall and see the changing leaves!
Diggerland!
My kids would love to visit Virginia in the fall!
We really want to try the new climbing bridge and rope exhibit at the Bronx Zoo!! Oh and the Franklin Institute
The NJKC show, Pirates Day, & Fall foilage sightseeing around the state
As many museums as possible! & to the shark tunnel at Adventure Aquarium
Jumping in leaves at parks, collecting leaves, taking pictures of fall foilage
Anything & everything nature related! Fall foilage, pumpkins, foilage, scary farms, witch hunts, tractors, parks, etc
Diggerland
My kids are curious about anywhere where they touch & push buttons to learn about everything from dinosaurs to history including living conditions & daily life to how things work
Apple picking (Terhune Orchards), corn mazes (anywhere), and bowling are the things our kids are most excited about doing this fall. Love this list though; I’m gonna need to spend some more time planning our weekends. Thanks for putting it together.
Thank you for the kind feedback. Have a great fall. – Jenn