With so many unique historic sites and homesteads, it’s no surprise that Central Jersey is a great place to spend the spooky season of Halloween. Central Jersey is reputedly home to ghosts related to Revolutionary War heroes and widows, the Lindberg baby’s murderer, and many others.
“Scare Farm” at Norz-Hill is part of the harvest season fun.
One of our favorite Halloween activities is Scare Farm at Norz-Hill in Hillsborough, who sell tickets online or at the gate every Friday and Saturday 6:30pm to 10pm, and Sundays until 9pm. Major activities include Creepy Hollow, Paranoia Walking Trails and the Slayride – Hayride.
Less scary farm destinations such as Terhune Orchards, Synders Farm, and Von Thun Farms offer pumpkin patches along with other seasonally appropriate fruits, baked goods, and more. Von Thun offers midnight mazes and campfires Friday and Saturday nights in October. Terhune welcomes pumpkin carving artist Tom Cook the weekend of October 23-24.
Most activities require advance ticket purchases, and plans can change due to weather or other conditions. So check out each location’s website or social media pages before heading out the door.
Hopewell Theater is offering FrightFest, a film series that features Poltergeist, the Shining, The Witches, and Beetlejuice. Every night, guests who attend in costume will enjoy free giveaways, and kids are admitted for free to The Witches and Beetlejuice.
Terhune Orchards will have a talented pumpkin carver on Oct. 23-24
A family-friendly Masquerade Parade on the theme of “Birds, Bats, and Bugs, Oh My!” will occur on Sunday October 31 from noon to 5pm at the St. Michaels Farm Preserve in Hopewell. Sponsored by D&R Greenway Land Trust, the event will feature stationary floats as carloads of participants drive through beautiful, preserved farmland. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes and decorate their cars.
Now open Wednesday through Sunday, Flounder Brewing in Hillsborough is offering a Pumpkin Ale, plus a special “Paranormal Night,” on Friday October 29, to see what’s going on in their new 200-year-old barn. You’ll also find seasonal autumn and Octoberfest beers at Jersey Cyclone in Somerset.
For more ideas about autumn adventures in Central Jersey, be sure to explore our map for more farms, beverage makers, historic sites, and arts venues.
Click above to explore our interactive map.