Top 5 Things to Do this Fall in Hunterdon County NJ

Want to experience Fall in Hunterdon?  Start exploring now!

Hunterdon County is ‘the other side of Jersey’ where you will find vineyards, u-pick farms, a craft beer trail, charming towns, outdoor adventures, and natural beauty that shines in the fall.  If you are a new visitor or a local, this list is your guide to the top 5 things to do in Hunterdon County NJ this fall!

#1 Pick Apples or Pumpkins this Fall in Hunterdon

A perfect fall day starts with a wagon ride!  On fall weekends, Melick’s Town Farm offers wagon rides at both their Oldwick NJ and Califon NJ apple orchards.  

Melick’s Town Farm in Califon features apple and pumpkin picking, wagon rides, a corn maze, and a tire playground for children. Kids of all ages love watching the farm animals playing on the goat tower.  Who can resist homemade cider donuts, pies, and apple cider?

Melick’s Town Farm Cider Mill and Orchard in Oldwick features a cider tent for the fall season, the site of festivals and hard cider tastings for adults. Sip delicious hard cider while exploring the orchard!   Reservations are suggested: melickstownfarm.com.

Everitt Farms at Pumpkin Junction in Ringoes NJ offers fall fun for all ages. A $7 admission fee includes: wagon rides, corn mazes, music and games, a petting zoo, 6 acre pumpkin patch, and concessions.

Schaefer Farms in Flemington NJ is another great destination for family fun. Take a tractor-drawn hayride through 200+ acres of the working farm to the Pumpkin Patch and pick the perfect pumpkin!  Visit friendly farm animals in the barnyard, stroll through the mini corn maze and larger hay maze. The farm store features fresh produce and seasonal treats. 

If you enjoy being spooked, Schaefer’s Farm of Horrors includes a Hayride of Horror, Trail of Terror, and MassAcre Corn Maze. Eeek!  Note: This attraction is not recommended for anyone under age 13. 

Bonacorsi Family Farm in Flemington is open on weekends for a large variety of pick-your-own apples and grapes.  Phillips Farms in Milford NJ  is a pick-your-own farm with a large property that offers a peaceful experience and lots of fresh apples!

More info on Hunterdon County’s farms, markets, and events can be found at Hunterdon579Trail.com.

#2 Stroll a Main Street

Lambertville NJ has it all –  delightful Victorian architecture, antiques, art + artisans, galleries, coffee shops, shopping,  and a vibrant food scene.  In the fall, Lambertville is especially fun to visit with theatrical Halloween displays throughout the town.  Take a stroll around Lambertville for a fun and entertaining afternoon. 

Frenchtown NJ boasts a vibrant arts scene, a rich history, and was recently recognized by  USA Today as one of “America’s Top 10 Best Small Towns for Shopping.”  And, with the expansion of Art Yard, Frenchtown’s reputation as a center for the arts continues to grow.

In Clinton NJ, the iconic Red Mill is transformed into the infamous Haunted Red Mill for some serious fall fun. Venture through mazes, trails, and hayrides and end up facing terrors within the famous Red Mill. 

In Flemington NJ, don’t miss the Hunterdon Harvest Fest in October. This fun event features live music, craft beer from local breweries, and farm to festival foods celebrating the local harvest.

The Fall Jazz Series at Flemington DIY features world-famous musicians performing on select Saturday evenings. Spend the day in the town, enjoy dinner, and catch a jazz show for an entertaining day in historic Flemington! 

#3 Visit a Vineyard this Fall

Hunterdon County’s vineyards boast spectacular views of fall foliage, live music, tasting events, and cozy heated outdoor seating.  Cabanas, fire pits, and fire tables are very popular so please check online for details and reservations.

Vineyards include: Beneduce Vineyards in Pittstown NJ, Old York Cellars in Ringoes NJ, Federal Twist Vineyard in Stockton NJ, Mount Salem Vineyards in Pittstown NJ, Unionville Vineyards in Ringoes NJ, and newcomer Angelico Winery in Lambertville NJ.  

The Cider Garden at Ironbound Farm in Asbury NJ serves hard cider or seltzer, and seasonal fare made with fresh ingredients grown on the farm and cooked outdoors over an open fire. 

#4 Get your Passport to the Hunterdon Beer Trail

The Hunterdon Beer Trail Brewery Passport is a popular seasonal promotion that invites you to visit each of the craft breweries on the beer trail, get your passport stamped, and be rewarded with a commemorative cap.  Hunterdon County’s craft breweries are fun destinations for exploring and sampling over a weekend or a few weeks. 

In the fall, special events at the breweries include Oktoberfest, live music, comedy, trivia, and more.  Passports are available at any of the breweries on the Hunterdon Beer Trail.   

HunterdonBeerTrail.com includes tap lists, events, and information on Brewery Passports. Breweries include: Odd Bird Brewing in Stockton, Lone Eagle Brewing in Flemington, Conclave Brewing in Raritan Township, Descendants Brewing Company at the Old Ship Inn in Milford, Sunken Silo Brew Works in Lebanon, and Readington Brewery & Hop Farm in Readington.  

#5 Hike or Bike this Fall in Hunterdon

Winding roads, sweeping views of foliage, and lots of trails make Hunterdon County a premier destination for hiking and biking. 

The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park is known as  the “towpath”  because its first travelers were mules who towed barges of freight along the canals. Autumn leaves and crisp weather make the fall the perfect time to stroll on the path along the scenic Delaware river.  The family-friendly path is popular with parents “towing” little ones in wagons or strollers. You can enter or exit the path in the famed River Towns of Lambertville, Frenchtown, Stockton, or Milford which each offer unique options for food, drink, and exploration.

The Columbia Trail offers a spectacular ride, away from cars and distractions.  The leafy rail-trail runs alongside the Raritan River and through the scenic Ken Lockwood Gorge.  We recommend starting in High Bridge, so you can enjoy the coffee shops and restaurants upon your return. For other biking adventures, read our Blog, Enjoy Bicycling this Fall in Hunterdon County, NJ.

For more fun things to do in Hunterdon County, visit ExploreHunterdonNJ.com. Learn about Hunterdon County tourism initiatives at Hunterdon579Trail.com, HunterdonMainStreets.com, HunterdonBeerTrail.com, and BikeHunterdon.org.