This Charming New Jersey Village Is Perfect For An Autumn Day Trip

New Jersey has a number of quaint historic villages, but one stands out as an amazing autumn destination. Located in Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, Whitesbog Village has so much going on during the fall season. While open and a wonderful trip year-round, the special events in October offer visitors a truly unique experience.

Still an active cranberry bog, Whitesbog was once the largest cranberry farm in New Jersey. It is also the site where the highbush blueberry was first cultivated.

Whitesbog consists of 3,000 acres of bogs, creeks and forests, offering hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. The scenery is spectacular.

The site contains several historic structures, five of which function as museums. These museums are open during scheduled village tours, special programs and by appointment. Building #9, a worker's cottage, has been restored to reflect life in the early 1900s.

You'll also find an estate home, agricultural museum, cranberry substation, art museum and general store.

The general store is open on weekends and offers unique gifts along with delicious jams and preserves.

The autumn activities really make this destination stand out. Head to Whitesbog on October 1st for a guided tour or October 2nd for an interactive cranberry harvest workshop.

Celebrate Elizabeth White's (cultivator of the highbush blueberry) birthday on October 5th with cake, coffee and a guest lecture or take a moonlit hike on October 15th.

On October 22nd, enjoy s'mores around a campfire and wagon rides or take a daytime harvest hike on the 23rd followed by a living history event with period actors focusing on life in the 1920s.

Events continue into November, are all very reasonably priced and offer a unique peek into the past with a sizable dose of family fun. Visit for yourself at 120 W Whites Bogs Road # 34, Browns Mills. For more fall fun in New Jersey, check out this fall foliage train ride or these fall festivals in the Garden State.