As of September 23, fall is officially here. Now is the perfect opportunity to get together with your family and friends to enjoy the season at its finest. Even with the fading of the summer sun, there are many outdoor activities bursting with excitement. Apple and pumpkin picking, haunted hayrides, haunted houses, and Six Flags Great Adventure’s Fright Fest are just a preview of the many local activities to participate in. Who says you have to be a little kid to still have fun during the season of trick or treating and pumpkin picking?
If you are looking for some fearful fun, www.hauntworld.com provides great suggestions for some of the more terrifying venues in the area. The top three visitors picks are the Field of Terror in East Windsor, NJ, C. Casola Farms Haunted Hayride of Terror in Camden, NJ, and the Pennhurst Asylum located in Spring City, PA.
Field of Terror is a six-acre haunted cornfield with scary surprises lurking in every twist and turn. Visitors have been so scared upon visiting the cornfield, it has received a 10 out of 10 scare factor according to hauntworld.com. “This is definitely not made for children,” said Edith Altomare, a senior at Georgian Court University. “The field gave me nightmares, and I’m 21 years old. It’s a fun activity to do on the weekend with friends, no matter how old you are.”
C. Casola Farms Haunted Hayride of Terror offers three haunted attractions including a hayride, barn, and trail –each of which are considered to be some of the scariest in New Jersey, according to hauntworld.com. The Pennhurst Asylum is a “haunted” asylum and museum, featuring a ghost hunt and spooky tunnel of terror.
Don’t forget about Six Flags Great Adventure’s annual Fright Fest, located in Jackson, NJ. Here, an entire amusement park of haunted theme fun comes to light. According to the Six Flags website, there are a number of hayrides, shows, and haunted houses taking place in October throughout the park.
People in terrifying costumes roaming throughout the grounds really set the mood for Halloween. This is a great night out with friends, relatively affordable, and located not too far from the University.
If you are not in the mood to be scared senseless, fear not. There are plenty of other fall activities within the Garden State that are far less terrifying. New Jersey boasts some beautiful fall foliage of its own that can be seen in and around the University’s campus. Walking and seeing the colors change is one of the best parts of fall.
There are also many nearby orchards full of fresh pumpkins and apples ripe for picking. According to pickyourown.org, some of the best local ones include, Battleview Orchard in Freehold, Eastmont Orchards in Colts Neck, and Menzel Brothers Farm in Holmdel.
After spending the day picking out your personal pumpkins and apples, there are a variety of meals and desserts that can be made from scratch. Some seasonal traditions are apple and pumpkin pie, as well as apple cider and roasted pumpkin seeds. The possibilities are endless. For some appetizing fall recipes visit http://familyfun.go.com/autumn/fall-recipes/.
For the 21 and older crowd, Maloney’s Pub and Grill located in Matawan will be hosting a two-week event from September 30 through October 9 called the “Oktoberfest Celebration”. During this event, the pub will offer many seasonal craft ales, authentic German dishes, and desserts, as well as many drink and food specials.
Asbury Park is also hosting their first ever beer festival at the Asbury Park Convention Hall on October 8. During the festival, the Asbury Park boardwalk will serve craft beers from all over the world, well-known specialty beers, cider, and more.
Apboradwalk.com provides detailed information on all of the events taking place. “Asbury is one of my favorite places to hang out, and I’m looking forward to all of the seasonal events that will be offered there in the fall,” said Long Branch local, Nicole Zambrano.
From September through November, reconnect with your inner child and take advantage of what fall activities New Jersey has to offer. Whether you want to be scared on a hayride, or fill your belly up with delicious food, fall is the perfect time of year to do it all.
PHOTO COURTESY of marketsofnewyork.com
