The Ultimate Guide To Seasonal Activities In New Jersey: Pumpkin Patches, Christmas Lights, Water Parks, And More

A trip to Holland Ridge Farms will have you thinking you missed your stop in New Jersey and somehow ended up in Holland. With millions of tulip blooms, this place has more tulips than anywhere on the east coast. You can even pick your own flowers. Tulips tend to bloom in the spring, but the farm also celebrates sunflowers throughout the fall. This place looks like something out of a fairy tale.

On days when it's hot and you don't feel like getting sand all over you at the shore, a water park is a great alternative. New Jersey has plenty of them to choose from. Two of the best are the water parks run by Morey's Piers: Ocean Oasis and Raging Waters. Is your preference relaxing on the Endless River? Or do you like the adrenaline rush of Shotgun Falls or Riptide Rapids? Either way, you won't run out of things to do here.

Is anything more relaxing than an all-day float trip? That's something that should be on everyone's annual summer bucket list. If you're looking for all-day float trips in New Jersey, it doesn't get much better than Pinelands Adventure. The company rents canoes and kayaks for several different trips. Options range from 1.5-hour beginner trips to 8-hour adventures for experienced paddlers. Ready to hit the river?

Regardless of your age, there's something special about visiting a pumpkin patch and picking your perfect pumpkin. For many New Jersey families, a visit to Abma's Farm is an annual tradition. Not only is there a pumpkin patch, you can also enjoy hayrides and a petting zoo. This is a holiday celebration like no other.

One time-honored tradition for many in New Jersey is the thrill of getting lost in a corn maze in the fall. Amazingly, Buterhof's Shady Brook Farm near Egg Harbor City has been harvesting fresh produce since 1854. Each fall, they have a three-acre corn maze with hayrides, and both are an absolute blast. This is so much fun for the entire family. Can you make it through the maze of corn?

We get it. Some like their Halloween to be filled with cutesy jack-o'-lanterns and adorable skeletons. But others prefer the macabre and genuinely creepy. If you're in the latter category and spend all of October marathoning slasher flicks, we've got a haunted Halloween town in New Jersey for you. Sure, it may look absolutely beautiful in the photo, but it's got a chilling past. The Red Mill Village in Clinton was the site of many fatal accidents. After all, 200 years ago, there weren't many safety measures in place for workers. The area is said to be quite haunted now. Each October, the Red Mill Village transforms into a creepy haunted house that looks like something out of a horror movie set. Are you brave enough to visit the Red Mill Village in Clinton during the spookiest season of the year?

Christmas in New Jersey is a magical time. We've got many great little holiday towns that transform with the season. One of our very favorites is historic Smithville. The quaint town is filled with dozens of adorable shops, and each winter, there's a beautiful light show on the lake that you won't want to miss. This place is just what you need to get in the holiday spirit.

If you're looking for a real-life Polar Express, you're in luck. There's a great annual Christmas train in New Jersey. The Black River Railroad Historical Trust's North Pole Train is one of the most popular Christmas trains in the northeast. The two-hour journey features meetings with Santa Claus and even a holiday gift bag. Hop on board to head to the North Pole.

There are so many great Christmas lights in New Jersey. You may enjoy seeking out holiday drive-thrus, or maybe you just like roaming through neighborhoods seeing the houses all decked out. One incredible Christmas light show that you won't want to miss is in historic Smithville. Over 120 trees are set up on Lake Meone, and they're decked out in 100,000 lights. The light show is synchronized to holiday music. This is a holiday tradition you won't want to miss.