Take Advantage of Fall With These Autumn-Themed Trips

By Cassie Galasetti

Situated between the blazing hot summer and chilly winter is autumn, a time when the air is a little crisper and the scenery is a bit more colorful. It’s the perfect time to gather friends and family to take a day or even overnight trip.

On the East Coast there’s no shortage of beautiful scenery and activities if you’re looking to have a classic fall experience not too far from home.

Here are some amazing places you can experience after a short drive or train ride:

HISTORIC SMITHVILLE

The quaint little village of Smithville is the perfect place to enjoy a fall day. You can browse over 60 shops and get some early holiday shopping done or just walk through the cobblestone walkways and footbridges. Hop on a paddleboat for a ride on Lake Meone to view the village from another angle before having dinner and a night’s stay at the Historic Smithville Inn. October in Smithville boasts fun events so you may want to book your stay around their Oktoberfest (Oct. 5-6), Irish Festival (Oct. 12-13), Costume Pet Parade (Oct. 19), Corvette Show (Oct. 20), or Monster Bash and Witches Day (10/27).

Smithville, smithvillenj.com

HIGH POINT STATE PARK

What better place to view the sights than at the highest point in New Jersey? At 1,803 feet above sea level you’ll get a spectacular panoramic view of the fall foliage of the farmlands, forests, hills and valleys of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. For adventurers, you can hit the Appalachian Trail that follows the Kittatinny Mountain Ridge through High Point State Park with three designated overnight shelters for camping. Besides camping you can go boating, fishing and picnicking in designated areas.

Sussex, njparksandforests.org

NEW JERSEY BOTANICAL GARDEN

Part of the Ringwood State Park, the New Jersey Botanical Garden boasts 96 acres of specialty gardens that you can tour on your own or with a guide. Until October you can view the beautiful Azalea Garden, Magnolia Walk and Octagonal Garden. Both September and October are jam-packed with autumn nature walks, a harvest festival and workshops for kids. Also on the property is The Skylands Manor, designed in the mid-1920s and open to explore, you’ll feel history as you walk through its many grand rooms.

Ringwood, njbg.org

ECHO LAKE STABLES

Tired of walking? Get ready to ride the scenic trails of Echo Lake Stables; it’s considered one of the best places in the state to go horseback riding. There’s really no better way to enjoy the fall weather and foliage than trotting through trails along the mountainside and stream. Echo Lake Stables also offers nighttime trail rides with a bonfire and barbecue. Not an avid rider? Have no fear, many beginners have said this is the perfect place to start. Bonus: Hit the stables and the New Jersey Botanical Garden in the same trip; they are only 30 minutes apart.

Newfoundland, echolakestables.com

BLACK RIVER AND WESTERN RAILROAD

Depart on a 90-minute sunset trip specifically designed for fall foliage viewing in vintage coach cars aboard the BR&W Railroad from Flemington to Bowne Station. This is a great way to teach the little ones about the earlier days of the locomotive. To add even more fall fun to your trip, catch the steam engine at Flemington Station for a trip to Everitt Farm, known as Pumpkin Junction for their pumpkin picking and corn maze.

Flemington, blackriverrailroad.com; Ringoes, everittfarm.com

OUT OF STATE

NEW YORK

For those wanting to get out of state, New York is the mecca for autumn-themed trips. Take the Amtrak train Empire Service or Adirondack line (rated one of the top 10 most scenic train rides in the world) out of Manhattan and up through the lush wine country of the Hudson Valley. Once you pick a town to explore, it won’t be hard to find apple picking, pumpkin picking, hikes, wineries, breweries and so much more. If you make your way to the Gore Region of the state, be sure to check out railbiking with the Revolution Rail Company. This fun excursion lets you ride a railbike with a group through the Adirondacks and the Hudson River. There’s no age requirement so everyone in the family can enjoy the fall foliage experience!

North Creek, N.Y., revrail.com; amtrak.com

PENNSYLVANIA

Hop on the Pennsylvanian Amtrak line from Manhattan and head out to the Keystone State. Once the city life of New York and Philadelphia are in the distance, you’ll start to experience the country life. The Lancaster region’s countr yside comes to life in the fall with the Amish plowing fields and selling homemade sweets (like shoofly pies) at roadside stands. This region of Pennsylvania has no shortage of farm markets, apple festivals, hayrides and Dutch Country fairs. If you stay on the train past Lancaster, you’ll reach Elizabethtown or Harrisburg, both great towns to explore sights and historic landmarks.

Lancaster, Penn., lancasterpa.com