As the air turns crisp and the leaves change colors, it’s the perfect time to explore all the fall fun our area has to offer. From cozy local favorites to short day trips worth the drive, here are some Drumbeats picks for making the most of autumn.
Abma’s Farm Market in Wyckoff is a beloved childhood destination for the FLOW area and offers several attractions for teenagers during November. The main year-round draw is the barnyard petting zoo, which is open daily. This engaging experience allows visitors to interact with and feed a variety of animals, including goats, sheep, alpacas, donkeys, and ponies. In addition to the animals, the farm’s market and greenhouse remain open. The farm market is a great place to find fresh produce, homemade baked goods, and prepared foods, with a good selection of items for the upcoming holidays, including Thanksgiving essentials. The greenhouse features a vibrant array of seasonal plants and flowers. While seasonal activities like hayrides and pumpkin picking have concluded by November, Abma’s Farm still offers a range of activities to explore. One notable offering this year is a hands-on apple pie-making class scheduled for November 12th. During this workshop, participants will learn to make a signature homemade apple pie from scratch. They will be guided through the process of assembling and baking the pie, with the option to bake it immediately or freeze it for Thanksgiving. This activity provides a practical and enjoyable skill-building opportunity that is sure to appeal to teens interested in cooking or baking.
Conklin Farms in Montville, NJ, offers a classic and cozy autumn experience. Their large pumpkin patch features a wide variety of unique pumpkins in different shapes, colors, and sizes, making it a more cost-effective option than most. On weekends, Conklin Farms hosts hayrides, including a haunted hayride option for those seeking a thrill. Throughout the week, visitors can enjoy an interactive goat petting and feeding enclosure. In addition to outdoor activities, the farm has a decorated barn store filled with festival goodies and painted pumpkins. Be sure to try their fresh, hot cider donuts, available on Saturdays and Sundays! This tasty treat, along with many other affordable options, can be found at a small stand located in the center of all the attractions. Conklin Farms is a vibrant fall destination that offers all the traditional fun activities you’re looking for. The main highlight of this attraction is that its peak months usually occur earlier in the fall, specifically in September and October, when all fall activities take place. However, it resumes again during the winter for its festive preparations.
During the fall, Demarest Farms in Hillsdale, NJ, offers a variety of attractions that celebrate the season. Visitors can pick their own apples and pumpkins during September and October. On select days, hayrides provide transportation to and from the fields. A charming petting zoo featuring animals like goats and alpacas is also available for guests to enjoy. For November visitors, the attractions shift from Halloween-themed events to the kickoff of the holiday season. The Orchard of Lights, a drive-through holiday light display, begins in late November. During this time, reservations are required to warm up by a fire pit after the tour, visit with Santa and his singing reindeer, enjoy seasonal treats like hot cocoa from the farm market, make s’mores with kits available for purchase, and take photos! The on-site farm market regularly sells a range of seasonal items, including fresh produce, homemade pies, and the farm’s highly praised apple cider donuts. A tip for ensuring a spot during the peak fall season: guests should make reservations in advance for pick-your-own activities, so please plan accordingly!
A walk in Montclair, NJ, reveals a vibrant and walkable area that features an eclectic mix of classic and modern businesses, seamlessly blending a historic feel with contemporary amenities throughout the year. The center of Montclair is home to the Montclair Art Museum, which will host “An Evening with Rob Riggle,” a stand-up comedian and veteran, on November 11. The museum also has its regular exhibits open for viewing throughout the month. In addition to the Wellmont Theater, the area boasts a variety of boutiques, restaurants, and shops. Notable upcoming events include the Montclair Comedy Festival, taking place from November 13 to 15, featuring over 10 shows and more than 100 comedians showcasing stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy. For those who love thrifting, the Montclair Flea is back for the holidays at Lackawanna Station, beginning on November 30. This market offers a festive atmosphere with handmade goods, vintage items, food, and live music. Winter Wonderland is an exciting event for those looking forward to the winter season. Coinciding with Shop Small Saturday on November 29, the Wellmont Arts Plaza will host Winter Wonderland, featuring live music, holiday characters, kids’ craft stations, and raffle prizes to support local businesses and non-profits. Montclair also has several lively districts, with Walnut Street known for its eateries and a farmer’s market, while Upper Montclair is recognized for its boutiques.
In November, Ridgewood, NJ, offers a variety of community-focused activities that transition the town from autumn into the holiday season. The central business district serves as the main hub of activity. A key event is the annual Ridgewood Downtown for the Holidays celebration, which typically occurs in late November, often on the day after Thanksgiving or the surrounding weekend. This event marks the unofficial start of the local holiday season, featuring seasonal decorations, live music, dance performances, and an appearance by Santa Claus, all culminating in the lighting of the village tree. Throughout the month, visitors can explore numerous boutique shops and local businesses that are preparing for the holiday season and often have unique offerings. Memorial Park at Van Neste Square serves as the central hub for Ridgewood’s seasonal transition from fall to winter. While it’s a pleasant spot for a quiet stroll or to sit on a bench during the day, the park’s main attraction is the annual Winterfest celebration, which will take place on November 29 this year. The Ridgewood Guild hosts this event, featuring music, ice sculptures, storytelling with elves, and a visit from Santa Claus. Families can enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, cookies, and candy canes. A hayride and trackless train ride will also be offered, with tickets available for purchase. Winterfest is scheduled for Saturday, November 29, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and will take place rain or shine. Additionally, the town library and local recreation department host various community programs and smaller events. In November, Ridgewood combines fine dining experiences, ongoing recreational opportunities, and special events that celebrate the transition from autumn festivities to the beginning of the holiday season. The downtown area remains a central hub for shopping at boutiques like Pazzazed and Bookends or enjoying various restaurants and cafes. For those who appreciate the outdoors, the Saddle River County Park, specifically the Wild Duck Pond Area, offers extensive paved trails for walking, running, or biking, along with a playground. Indoor cultural options include the Schoolhouse Museum, which houses exhibits on local history from the Ridgewood Historical Society. Dining events also add to the festive atmosphere, with restaurants like Bareburger hosting themed nights, such as a “Friends” Thanksgiving Trivia night on November 18. The festive spirit continues with events like the annual USR Holiday Market starting November 21, featuring local artisans and a bake sale, making it perfect for early holiday shopping. There’s a lot to look forward to toward the end of the month!
In November, Secor Farm in Mahwah shifts its focus from peak fall activities to the transitional period between autumn harvests and the upcoming winter holiday season. The farm market and greenhouse remain open for visitors to purchase fresh produce, baked goods, and seasonal decorations for Thanksgiving. As the month progresses toward the holidays, the farm typically begins offering Christmas trees and holiday decorations, which usually arrive around Thanksgiving or the last week of November. The petting zoo also remains open during market hours for visitors to enjoy. After a brief closure, the farm reopens around November 25th to begin its winter season. During this period, the focus shifts to holiday preparations, including the sale of pre-cut Fraser Fir Christmas trees, a variety of plain and decorated wreaths, grave covers, and poinsettias available in the greenhouse. Isabella Kaminski adds, “I have been going to Secor Farms every year for pretty much my whole life, always in October to go pumpkin picking and in December to get my family’s Christmas tree. Every single year when we go, the experience is always so much fun and memorable. Every year, my family members and I bring our friends and others to go pumpkin picking, and everyone always has so much fun and enjoys everything the experience has to offer. From the delicious food like the apple cider donuts, and the fun sites like the corn maze and the pumpkin patch, the farm has so many activities to do and so many things to buy. I definitely would and often do recommend Secors Farms as well as their hayrides to anyone of any age looking for something fun and festive to do outdoors for fall.” Throughout the entire month (except during the brief closure), the farm market remains a popular attraction, stocked with New York State apples, fresh-pressed apple cider, and the farm’s highly praised homemade apple cider donuts and pies, which are especially popular for Thanksgiving.