Home Food + DrinkBars Fall Activities to Do Within 2 Hours of Hudson County

Fall Activities to Do Within 2 Hours of Hudson County

by Megan Joseph
Attain Medspa
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As chillier weather moves into Hudson County, residents are looking forward to traditional autumn activities and outdoor events to entertain friends and family. From haunted houses to Sunday football, be sure to bookmark this list before you start planning. Read on to discover activities and events within two hours of Hudson County to put on your calendar this season.

Fall Foliage Viewing Spots

There are few things that are more telling of fall than the beautiful changing leaves. Find out where to catch some gorgeous fall foliage below. 

Central Park  {New York City, NY}

central park

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{Photo credit: @centralparknyc}

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Nothing says autumn like watching the leaves change color. If you’re looking for breathtaking fall foliage, check out Central Park in Manhattan. Accessible by bus, subway, and ferry, these iconic views can easily be caught in real life{instead of just tuning into Sex and the City to catch them}. 

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Fort Tryon Park  {New York City, NY}

At the very northern tip of Manhattan {a 30-minute drive}, check out Fort Tryon Park. Rich with history and nature, it’s an ideal spot for autumn leaves.

Palisades Interstate Park {Alpine, NJ}

On the New Jersey side, visit Palisades Interstate Park in Alpine {a 40-minute drive), complete with 12 miles of hiking land, a State Line Lookout, and three historic sites. If that’s too far, a bit closer to home are Stevens Park or Pier A Park in Hoboken. Take a stroll through either for a quick fix.

Stokes State Forest {Sandyston, NJ}

Hikers, campers, fishermen, and even photographers frequent Stokes State Forest in Sussex County for its insane views. Whether you climb to the top of Sunrise Mountain or stay at the Tillman Ravine {with a rushing stream}, you’re bound to get some IG-worthy pics {and soak in all that nature has to offer, of course}.

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Battlefield State Park  {Manalapan, NJ}

The historic Battlefield State Park in Manalapan is home to the American Revolutionary War’s Battle of Monmouth. It doubles as a 1,818-acre state park with fresh springs, walking trails, picture-perfect picnic spots, and of course, tons and tons of trees in all their autumn glory. Scenic beauty + huge historical significance = a great place to spend a fall Saturday.

For a complete list of viewing spots, click here.

See More: Kid-Friendly Fall Activities Within Two Hours of Hoboken 

Tour Haunted Houses

Halloween is just around the corner and these local haunted houses won’t disappoint Hudson County residents who love a good scare.

Blood Manor {359 Broadway, New York City}

Blood Manor will terrify guests until November 9th and you can get tickets here

The Bronx Haunted House {11197 Bryant Avenue, Bronx}

The Bronx Haunted House, open on weekends, is $10 general admission or $40 for groups of five at the door. 

The Brighton Asylum {2 Brighton Avenue, Passaic}

The Brighton Asylum in Passaic, NJ {a 30-minute drive} has ghost tours, escape rooms, and a haunted house. Events run through November 2nd and you can purchase tickets here

Bane Haunted House {618 West 46th Street, New York}

New York’s largest haunted house — the Bane Haunted House in Hell’s Kitchen — was voted the most terrifying by the Star Ledger five years in a row. Get your tickets here.

Fear in the Forest {182 City Line Road, Pemberton}

On October 18th and 19th, Fear in the Forest is a two-day haunt that takes visitors on a dark trip around cranberry bogs and blueberry bushes that are home to clowns, ghouls, and possibly the Jersey Devil himself. They open the gates at 10:00PM, and while this is a free tour, the suggested donations are $10 for ages 16 and up, $5 for ages five to 15, and free for ages four and under.

Dark Carnival {136 Atlantic City Boulevard, Bayville}

Open every Friday – Sunday in October, the Dark Carnival {136 Atlantic City Blvd, Bayville} is what nightmares are made of {no, we’re not kidding}. With sideshow creatures like Morbus the Aquatic Fish Boy, Algano the Amphibious Lizard Man, Mongo the Human Mutant, the Meat Grinder, Pig Man, the pitch-black Night Terrors, and The Sanitarium, our dreams may be haunted ’till next Halloween. Admission is $20.

13th Hour Haunted House {105 West  Dewey Avenue, Wharton}

Two floors means double the scare, and that’s exactly what you’ll get at the 13th Hour Haunted House, with themes and characters straight out of a horror film like the bloody butchers, evil Pennywise-type clowns, and dragons. This year, they’ve added a new {and terrifying} attraction: finding your own way out of the haunted house and through the {figurative} hands of the Hayden family. Admission ranges from $28 to $25 and they’re open every Friday – Sunday in October and on Halloween.

Pumpkin + Apple Picking

pumpkin picking north jersey

It’s the perfect weather to be outdoors with friends and family, holding onto a thermos of hot chocolate, cozied up on a hayride, or perusing apple orchards + pumpkin patches. For a complete guide to North Jersey pumpkin and apple picking events, head here.

Abmas Farm Market {700 Lawlins Road, Wyckoff}

Only 50 minutes away from Hudson County, guests can PYO pumpkins, visit the petting zoo, sip on apple cider, and more.

Demarest Farms {244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale}

Just a 50-minute ride away from Hudson County, head here to pick your own apples and pumpkins, ride a hayride, explore a corn maze, see farm animals, and so much more.

Farms View Roadstand {945 Black Oak Ridge Road, Wayne}

Head here to pick your own pumpkins {just in time for Halloween}, hop on a hayride, visit farm animals, and so much more.

Norz Hill Farm Market {120 South Branch Road, Hillsborough Township}

An hour away from Hudson County, enjoy pumpkin picking, hayrides, a corn maze, pony rides for the little ones, fall crafts, and more. 

Snyders Farm {586 South Middlebush Road, Somerset}

Also an hour away, guests can pick pumpkins, listen to music, bounce in a pumpkin moon bounce, explore a corn maze, and more. 

Read More: Your Guide to Pumpkin and Apple Picking in North Jersey

Hard Ciders Tastings

JC Beerfest Valentines Guide

Few things scream fall more than fall-themed fall ciders. Check out where to sip on hard cider near Hudson County this year.

Cider Week NYC {Multiple Locations}

For all the cider fans out there, Cider Week in NYC starts November 8th through the 17th with events in various boroughs and neighborhoods throughout the area. You can taste cider at CiderFeast in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and all the way to the Lower East Cider Fest at the Essex Market. Check out more here.

Cliffton Dry {220 36th Street, Brooklyn}

Cliffton Dry, based in Brooklyn, offers tastings at 15 different New York restaurants and even Whole Foods stores.

Big Apple Hard Cider {34 Union Square East, New York}

This Manhattan-based brews special New York-inspired cider for residents, sold in stores and at restaurants.

Descendant Cider {52-05 Flushing Avenue, Queens}

Another Manhattan-based brewery, this local brewery serves a variety of ciders to satisfy all taste buds.

Winery Tours 

winery tours

Wine goes great with any season, but there’s something special about a crisp glass of red or white on a clear fall day. Check out local wineries to visit this fall below.

Tomasello Winery  {Chester, NJ}

Visit Tomasello Winery tasting room at Alstede Farms, a family-owned farm in Chester, NJ. The farm also produces its own fruits, vegetables, and flowers are grown using sustainable and organic production.

Torne Valley Vineyards {Hillburn, NY}

Less than an hour drive,  Torne Valley Vineyards in Hillburn is a unique wine-tasting spot and wedding venue in New York’s Hudson Valley. Founded in 2009 by brothers Jon and Stephen France, Torne Valley was the first fully-functioning winery in Rockland County. 

Warwick Valley Winery + Distillery {Fowler, NY}

Warwick Valley Winery + Distillery not only has a tasting room for wine and spirits, but it’s also home to apple picking and live music events. An hour and a half from Hudson County, you’ll be able to spend the entire day here and even enjoy their on-site bakery and cafe. For more details, head here.

Red Hook Winery {Brooklyn, NY}

For an exclusive vineyard experience, visit Red Hook Winery in Brooklyn which offers wine tasting and barrel tasting tours for guests. Their harvest regions span across the state, from North Fork, Long Island to Finger Lakes, NY. All 150 labels of red and white wine are produced from the grape to the bottle at the Brooklyn location.

Make Wine With Us {Wallington, NJ}

Make Wine With Us in Wallington, NJ is only a 30-minute drive from Hudson County. Guests can choose the perfect grapes, bottle their own vintage, and even design a personalized label. The owners are American Wine Society-certified judges and their hands-on classes will leave you with the knowledge of an almost sommelier.

Click here for more wineries in the area.

Fall Festivals and Fairs

fall festivals hudson county

What really makes us feel like it’s fall are the festivals — happening all over Hudson County. Celebrate outdoors with family and friends from now through November at local fairs and festivals in Hoboken and Jersey City {+ beyond}. For all Hudson County fall festivals and fairs, head here.

Fall Football Sundays

football sundays

Every Sunday this season, Hoboken + Jersey City residents gather at local bars to watch their favorite college and NFL football teams on the big screen. For a list of the best football viewing 2019 bar specials in the area, click here.

Hoboken Bar Crawls

bar crawls

Of course, we would be remiss to not mention fall bar crawls. Check out some of the top ones below.

Halloween Bar Crawl

Don’t forget about Hoboken’s infamous Halloween bar crawl and this year, it will take place on October 19th and 26th. Both events will start at 3:00PM and end at 11:00PM. Participating bars include Wicked Wolf, Pig + Parrot, Green Rock Tap & Grill, The Shannon, Cadillac Cantina, and 80 River Bar + Kitchen. Check out more details here

Hoboken’s Once Upon a Bar Crawl

On November 9th, dress up as your Disney character of choice for Hoboken’s Once Upon a Bar Crawl from 3:00PM to 11:00PM. Participating bars include Wicked Wolf, Pig + Parrot, Green Rock Tap Grill, The Shannon, Cadillac Cantina, and 80 River Bar + Kitchen. Check out more details here

Which of these fall activities are you most looking forward to this year? Comment below! 

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