Hidden Gems to Explore this Fall in North Jersey and Beyond
September 2022
Kelly Brennan
Growing up in a wooded area of Northern New Jersey, the fall season holds a special place in my heart. The breathtaking changing of the leaves, campfires, festivals, apple cider donuts, and fresh crisp air feels like home to me. Have you ever wondered what the fall foliage across the valley looks like from the top of a mountain? You can see it for yourself in Northern New Jersey. This is a guide to seeing fall like a local around North Jersey from a small town girl. Here you will find local gems, cideries, and even the best songs to listen to this fall.
Where to Stay
If staying in an old general store filled with antiques and waking up to the smell of fresh scones and coffee sounds appealing, I have just the place for you. The Vreeland Store in West Milford, New Jersey is a part restaurant, part bar, part lodging, and part cafe. This establishment has old creaky floors with a vintage and antique feel to it with delicious food. Stay upstairs in The Relda Suite or The Charles Suite and come down in the morning for a fresh pumpkin scone.
Christina Fenui, a frequent at The Vreeland Store, said, “My experience at The Vreeland Store has always been a positive one. When walking in it feels a bit like a second home. It’s warm and inviting and it just smells absolutely divine. While waiting for the food you’re surrounded by beautiful decorations and artwork. How the whole place is laid out just feels natural and friendly.”
Fenui continued, “The food is absolutely outstanding and always tastes fresh. I have never received a meal that I was not satisfied with.”
Fall Foliage to See
Mountain Creek in Vernon, New Jersey is a regular place to go in the winter to ski and snowboard, but in the fall, they offer incredible views of the colorful foliage across the valley. You can take a “Sky Ride” up the mountain in their gondola to see the breathtaking changing leaves or take a zipline tour through the mountains.
Daniela Escalante, a zipline tour guide at Mountain Creek, said, “At Mountain Creek you can really immerse yourself in fall. Personally, I think that by taking a zip tour, you get to see the mountain’s foliage in one of the most spectacular ways. It’s truly a whole different world.”
Where to Eat
Recently voted by NorthJersey.com, Smoke Shack Barbeque in West Milford, New Jersey has one of the 14 best sandwiches in all of New Jersey. The Three Little Pigs sandwich has three different types of pork (smoked pulled pork, smoked pork belly, and whole-hog bacon)! The food at Smoke Shack Barbeque is unbelievably delicious and made all in-house.
Where to Drink
Right across the border of Jersey into New York lies Pennings Cidery. Pennings offers cider tastings and their drinks are delicious. Serving a variety of flavors of cider, beers, and sangria, this is something you don’t want to miss out on. The flavors are interesting and fresh like their Ginger Beet Cider, or something sweeter like the Maple Vanilla Cider.
Torri Burghoffer went to Pennings last fall to have a tasting with friends. She said, “Going to Pennings Farm Cidery was such a fantastic adventure that I had the pleasure of experiencing with some of my closest, most admired friends. Pennings cider was delicious and it was a great experience.”
What to Listen to
“I love going on long walks while listening to my fall playlist while it’s sunny with a chilly wind blowing. It gives off true fall vibes,” says Sam DiBari. She shared that there’s just certain songs that have a fall “mood” to them. Her recommendations are:
Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones
How We Operate by Gomez
Suddenly I See by KT Tunstall
M79 by Vampire Weekend
Festivals to Attend
Autumn Lights Festival in West Milford, New Jersey is a local festival that started to celebrate the town’s first traffic light! Over 20 years later, the folks of North Jersey turn out to this festival every year to experience the beer garden, apple cannons, and local vendors.
Travel across the border of West Milford to Warwick, New York and attend a festival celebrating apples! Established in 1989, Orange County’s Applefest is something that people travel from all over the state to experience. They have apple pie eating and baking contests and award winners every year. Similar to Autumn Lights, Applefest has local vendors making crafts, food, and even has entertainment for your enjoyment.
Activities to Do
“Pick Your Own” at Och’s Orchard in Warwick, New York, is a crowd favorite of many North Jerseyans. In the fall, you can go to the orchard to pick apples, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, pumpkins, and potatoes! They also have a fresh farm stand, petting zoo, and ice cream parlor!
Pick up some fresh apple cider, homemade pies, and apple cider donuts at the fresh farm stand!
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