Fall has of the best festivities! But before you know it, the season will come to an end (sad face). Don’t sweat it! There is still time to do as many more fall activities as you can – especially in the Greater New York City Area. These are this season’s must-do activities:
New Jersey
1. Take a hike and watch the leaves change.
Take a break from school and technology. Fall is the best time of the year to grab your backpack, pack a lunch, and go on a hike. There are an incredible 72.2 miles of the Appalachian Trail that runs through the Garden State offering countless trails alongside scenic mountains, hills, rivers, lakes, and streams. If you want more scenic views as the leave change color, consider going to High Point State Park in Sussex and Cheesequake State Park in Sayreville.
2. Pick your apples (or your pumpkins).
Apple lovers, New Jersey is known for their apples and local farms which grow dozens of fresh products for picking, slicing, and eating. Visit a farm like Battleview Orchards Country Market and Bakery in Freehold. In fact, Melick’s Town Farm in Califon, is one of the state’s largest apple growers. They offer horse-drawn wagon rides, apple-picking, and pumpkin picking through October. The Her Campus Montclair team just went to Wightman Farms in Morristown for a fun pumpkin-picking-hayride-riding-doughnut-eating day and we had a blast!
3. Learn How to Make Apple Cider
I can make my own apple cider?! Count me in! If you love anything apple cider like I do, this is the place to go. This historic cider mill was built in 1860 and is now a popular place to see the cider making process in action. Visit Hacklebarney Farm Cider Mill located at 104 State Park Road in Chester, NJ. If you are planning on going do call ahead, their cider pressing time varies slightly each weekend. Not only can you make your own cider, pumpkin picking is available, along with a corn maze to get lost in.
New York City
4. Haunted Lantern Tours at Fort Totten Park
Ain’t afraid of no ghost? Dare to take this Urban Park Rangers Tour on Friday, October 27th through Saturday 28th and spot a few spirits… as the line blurs between history and Halloween. There will be lanterns provided to explore the creepy Water Battery Gate at Fort Totten Park in the pitch black. Click on Haunted Lantern Tour for more information and did I forget to mention this is free? Happy Halloween!
5. Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade
Who doesn’t love seeing puppies in adorable outfits? Dog lovers and dog owners come together in the Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade in the East Village this Saturday, October 21st at 12 PM. The annual dog parade is filled with remarkable getups, cute puppies, and there’s a chance you can win thousands of dollars worth in prizes for Best in Show.
6. Village Halloween Parade
Grab a costume and check out the Village Halloween Parade NYC 2017 Guide to plan your role during this spooky parade. This event is NYC’s spookiest parade and one of the best Halloween events in the city overall. With over 50,000 zombies, giant puppets, and other unforgettable costumes and floats taking the streets. The Village Halloween Parade is on October 31, 2017, and typically goes from 7:00–10:30 PM. Costumes are mandatory for anyone who wants to walk, so make sure you bring it!