A Central Jersey Local’s Guide to Halloween Events and Autumn Family Fun
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For many of us, autumn in Central New Jersey is our favorite time of the year. The weather is crisp and snuggly. The colors of fall are vibrant as leaves start to fall. And best of all – Halloween! There are pumpkins everywhere. And one doesn’t have to look far for events that are autumn and/or Halloween related. Here are some of Central Jersey’s favorite picks of “Things to Do.” Check out website links to verify dates and times of these great Halloween and Fall events throughout Central Jersey!
Field of Terror/Sunshine Acres- East Windsor
Celebrating 13 years of fear, this is the place to go for daytime or evening events. Sunshine Acres is ideal for small children and families with pumpkin picking, a corn maze, and hayrides. There’s also a Field of Terror suited for brave teens and adults taking place nightly every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October as well as Oct. 20, 27, and 31. 831 Windsor-Perrineville Road, East Windsor (609) 758-7817. www.fieldofterror.com
It’s spooky family fun for everyone as iPlay American transforms into a Spooktacular Halloween this October. This family friendly event features free live magic shows and kids’ entertainment every weekend, a trick-or-treat trail, and Halloween décor. 110 Schanck Road, Freehold (732) 577-8200. iPlayAmerica.com/Halloween
Schaefer Farms’ Frightfest- Flemington
Schaefer Farms’ Frightfest 2016 promises to scare the yell out of you! Four nightmare inducing attractions include: Hayride of Horror, Trail of Terror, MassAcre Maze, and The Carnival of Chaos. 1051 Flemington Whitehouse Road, Flemington (908) 782-2705. www.schaefersfrightfest.com
Come enjoy fall on the farm! Family owned and operated since 1860, the pumpkin market is open daily. Kids can enjoy hayrides, a corn maze, and other activities. 83 Emlys Hill Road, Cream Ridge (609) 758-8726. www.bullockfarms.com
Boo at the Boardwalk, Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, Pt. Pleasant Beach
The temperatures may have dropped, but that doesn’t mean that the party has gone down at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk. Boo at the Boardwalk (October 15-16 and 22-23) is an annual Jersey Shore Fall event for the whole family. Dress up in your best costume and enjoy kid-friendly attractions including face painting, a Beach Maze and even the 2nd Annual Perky’s Pumpkin Derby.
Enjoy a full month of fall fun on 80 acres of mostly preserved farm land. During the fall festival families can enjoy activities such as hay rides, a corn maze, a potato sack slide, a wooden train, pumpkin bowling, pony rides, pumpkin picking, face painting, and glitter tattoos. 586 South Middlebush Road, Somerset (732) 496-0441. http://snyders-farm.com/
This Halloween season be sure to check out the slay ride – a terrifying hayride that drives you to madness and terror – plus other frightening attractions that make your nightmares come to life! 116 South Branch Road, Hillsborough (908) 371-2697. www.scarefarm.com
Fall Festival at Norz Hill Farm- Hillsborough
During the month of October there’s a two-mile corn maze trail to enjoy during the crisp fall days. You can also enjoy picking pumpkins, as there’s a great selection to choose from. 116 South Branch Road, Hillsborough (908) 371-2697. http://www.norzhillfarm.com/fallfestival.htm
Nightmare at Gravity Hill Haunted Trail (at Cicconi Farms)- Jackson
A 35- to 45-minute walkable experience with over a dozen scary scenes to witness as the heart rate increases! You won’t know what lurks around each next turn, but one thing is sure – it’s frightening! 1005 Farmingdale Road, Jackson (732) 703-4198. www.nightmareatgravityhill.com
Every weekend throughout October there’s kid-friendly Halloween activities including a family hayride. While kids take part in the fun, Moms can have their own pleasure shopping at the market which features: pumpkins, mums, pies, and cider. 1005 Farmingdale Road, Jackson (732) 363-1420. http://www.cicconifarms.com/
Two very scary attractions are featured this year. Guests can attend Sinister Sneed’s Chaotic Carnival of Chaos and The Forbidden “The Inbred & Nearly Dead.” Portions of proceeds go towards the Ocean of Love Cancer Foundation. 151 Brick Boulevard, Brick (732) 477-0606. www.scaryrottenfarms.com
Oasis Family Farm- Robbinsville
This fall kids can enjoy pumpkin picking, gem mining and a fossil adventure. Little Monster Kids Maze is available for smaller children. And for the more adventurous, the farm is offering the Oasis Island of Terror – the destination to fear! 3 Circle Drive, Robbinsville (609) 259-7300. www.oasisfamilyfarm.com
Halloween at Happy Day Farm- Manalapan
There’s something for the entire family. Pick pumpkins in the well-stocked patch, enjoy a hayride or stroll through New Jersey’s largest corn maze. 97 Daum Road, Manalapan Township (732) 977-3607. www.happydayfarmnj.com
This indoor scare house features two floors of fear – The House of Nightmares and the Attic. Halloween enthusiasts call this New Jersey’s most original and innovative haunted attraction.105 West Dewey Ave., Wharton (732) 485-2653. http://hauntedscarehouse.com/
Brookdale Haunted Theater- Lincroft
Every year the annual Haunted Theater is designed, built, and run by current and former Brookdale Community College Performing Arts students. Visitors can take a walking tour of a maze of blood chilling rooms filled with evil creatures, ghosts, bloody body parts, and ghouls. 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft (732) 224-2411. http://www.brookdalehauntedtheater.com/
During this magical time of year families can enjoy walking acres upon acres filled with unique pumpkins and gourds of every shape, size, and color. In addition to pumpkin picking, there are also hayrides and farm animals. 2095 U.S. Highway 9, Old Bridge (732) 721-5728. http://www.cheesequakefarms.com/
House of Horrors Presents Nightmare at the Asylum- East Brunswick
Open every Friday and Saturday night in October. Just a mere $8 for a combo haunted house ticket and hayride. 645 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick (732) 398-5261 http://houseofhorrorsnj.wixsite.com/2015/home
Giamarese Fall Harvest Weekends- East Brunswick
Pumpkin picking, hayrides, a corn maze, pony rides, and many food vendors makes for a great weekend during the month of October. 155 Fresh Ponds Road, East Brunswick (732) 821-9494. http://www.giamaresefarm.com/
Navigate through the abandoned Bowcraft Amusement Park as you try to find items for survival – while trying not to attract flesh eating zombies! 2545 U.S. Highway 22, Scotch Plains (805) 666-1699. http://pantophobia.com/
This country farm market has it all when it comes to autumn: corn maze, hayrides, school tours, wine tasting, pumpkin picking, gourds, mums, indian corn, homemade pies, apple cider, donuts, and activities for small children. 300 Route 33 West, Freehold (732) 431-2668. http://www.wemrockorchard.com/