Fill Your Fall Weekends In The Bergen County Area

Labor Day marks the end of the summer. For many New Jersey residents, that means no more Shore. But here in North Jersey (which we all know is the better half), fall is an opportunity for our many farms, high schools, and local bars to shine.

Here’s a seasonal list of ways to spend your weekends in the fall.

Apple Picking Apples are some of the easiest fruits to pick. They’re big enough for children to spot and not easily bruised. Many orchards also have “dwarf trees” with can make apple-picking easy for even three-year-olds. You can also visit a pumpkin patch later in the fall to pick your own pumpkins.

Hayrides Many farms offer hayrides in the fall, often in the same harvest season that you might pick your own fruits and vegetables. In September, they’re likely giving you a closer look at the heather to show off their grounds and animals. Nearer to Halloween, you can go for a “haunted” hayride with spooky effects.

Bonfires Bonfires are part of the beach experience, but also included in rural areas in the fall, such as harvest festivals and Halloween celebrations. They’re also not hard to set up in your own backyard -- as long as you check with your municipality to see whether bonfires are allowed in your area.

Football Games Yes, you can head to the local bar to watch the Jets, the Giants, or even the Eagles. But if you really want the players to hear you cheering them on, why not go see a local high school’s football team play? Or, if you want to be even more integral to the game, get your friends together for a pickup game in the park.

Oktoberfests It’s time to ditch the light summer beers -- and thank heavens! Fill your glass with autumnal ales at an Oktoberfest this fall. Adults can definitely enjoy these boozy celebrations but some have rides and games for the kids as well.