For more local trip ideas, checkout //www.discovercentralnj.com Holiday trips in the family car while growing up in the 1970s often featured my mother leading the family in singing “Over the River and through the Woods,” a holiday poem and song written by a prominent abolitionist in 1844. It goes this way: “Over the river, and through the woods, To Grandmother’s house we go; the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through the white and drifted snow.” Early snowfalls are rarer today, but otherwise the spirit of an old-fashioned holiday journey is very much alive in Central Jersey, home to dozens of farms, farm markets, and beverage makers, just an hour’s journey by car, bus, or rail from New York and Philadelphia. Make Discover Central NJ your guide to the Garden State’s holiday bounty. Crossing the D&R Canal will get you to many Central Jersey Farms Whether you are crossing the mighty Hudson or Delaware rivers from a major city, or just crossing the Millstone or Raritan rivers from a nearby town, Central Jersey’s Canal Region is the perfect holiday season destination. Stock up on a bounty of traditional holiday foods and beverages, including a heritage breed turkey for Thanksgiving, an old fashioned Christmas goose, a holiday ham, or a wide assortment of prepared side dishes, fruit pies, local wines and spirits, and gift baskets. You can make a full day or a weekend of your holiday foraging in Central Jersey by rounding out your itinerary with stops at farm-to-table restaurants, breweries, historic sites, recreation areas, cultural destinations, and hotels. Double Book Farm in Hopewell and Griggstown Farm in Franklin Township pasture-raise heritage breeds of turkeys, the most similar to what was available to the Pilgrims, making them the perfect center piece to your holiday table. Double Brook Farm
For more local trip ideas, checkout //www.discovercentralnj.com Holiday trips in the family car while growing up in the 1970s often featured my mother leading the family in singing “Over the River and through the Woods,” a holiday poem and song written by a prominent abolitionist in 1844. It goes this way: “Over the river, and through the woods, To Grandmother’s house we go; the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through the white
New Jersey is the Garden State for a reason. For more three centuries, the state’s fertile fields and valleys have fed America’s cities and armies. Indeed, Central Jersey was the site of the “forage wars” of the American Revolution, in which winning the loyalty of local farmers as a key to the American victory. Today Central Jersey’s farmers welcome millions of visitors from near and far to partake in the bounty—and fun—of harvest season. Just an hour from New York and Philadelphia by train, car, or bus, Central Jersey is one of the most accessible agricultural areas in America. At DiscoverCentralNJ.com you’ll find farms and orchards to please everyone, including families, friends, couples and seniors. The biggest crowds are drawn to harvest festivals, beginning Sept 14 an running through October: Terhune Orchards and Winery, near Princeton, is the region’s agritourism leader, inviting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year to a 200-acre family-owned and operated farm. Autumn brings Terhune’s Apple Days Fall Festivals, featuring cider, pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, pumpkin painting, pony rides, pedal tractors, wagon rides, corn stalk maze, adventure barn, and a barnyard of farm animals. Every Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14 to Oct. 27. Admission $10 per person. Snyder Farm in the Somerset section of Franklin Township offers a family-oriented Farm Festival weekends starting September 27. Activities include hayrides, pumpkin moon bounce, hippity hop, potato sack slide, corn maze, hay bale maze, spider web, pedal carts, corn hole games, bowling, hay bale activity center and more. General admission of $13 is required for pumpkin picking, plus cost of pumpkin. Suydam Farms is operated by the family’s 12th generation of farmers in Somerset, located on State Route 27 and served by the 100 bus out of New York’s Port Authority. The history of local farming is a big
New Jersey is the Garden State for a reason. For more three centuries, the state’s fertile fields and valleys have fed America’s cities and armies. Indeed, Central Jersey was the site of the “forage wars” of the American Revolution, in which winning the loyalty of local farmers as a key to the American victory. Today Central Jersey’s farmers welcome millions of visitors from near and far to partake in the bounty—and fun—of harvest season. Just
Dear EscapeMakers -- Tackle the corn maze challenge and harvest your perfect pumpkin at the Norz Hill Farm Fall Festival! Don't miss this family-owned and operated farm of almost 100 years! Every weekend in September and October, visit Norz Hill Farm and pick from over 45 acres of pumpkins, gourds and squash! You and your family will find all the right fall decorations, tour the farm and befriend the animals, enjoy pony rides and visit the farm store and food stands for refreshments. They also feature a haunted "Scare Farm" attraction in October that'll scare-your-crow pants off! Located in Central New Jersey, Norz Hill Farm is in the town of Hillsborough, in scenic Somerset County. For the car-less, just take NJ Transit from NYC's Penn Station to Somerville (1.5 hours) and Norz Hill Farm is a quick 15-minute cab or car-share ride! Check out all the fun & activities at:NorzHillFarm.com or call 908.371.COWS (2697) Experience More Things to Do in Somerset County, NJ VisitSomersetNJ.org
Dear EscapeMakers — Tackle the corn maze challenge and harvest your perfect pumpkin at the Norz Hill Farm Fall Festival! Don’t miss this family-owned and operated farm of almost 100 years! Every weekend in September and October, visit Norz Hill Farm and pick from over 45 acres of pumpkins, gourds and squash! You and your family will find all the right fall decorations, tour the farm and befriend the animals, enjoy pony rides and visit
Dear EscapeMakers -- Travel less than an hour from NYC for some good old-fashioned fun! Somerset County New Jersey will continue their annual 4-H Fairtradition on Wednesday August 7th through Friday August 9th (10am-10pm) at North Branch Park located in Bridgewater NJ. This is a FREE family-friendly event with no admission or parking fees and no fees on midway or carnival rides. All day professional & amateur entertainment can be enjoyed as well! The Fair is sponsored by the Somerset County 4-H Association and the Board of Chosen Freeholders in support of the 4-H Youth Development Program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension. 4-H Members, volunteer Fair Managers, 4-H Club Leaders, and parents work together, making this the largest event in Somerset County!
Dear EscapeMakers — Travel less than an hour from NYC for some good old-fashioned fun! Somerset County New Jersey will continue their annual 4-H Fairtradition on Wednesday August 7th through Friday August 9th (10am-10pm) at North Branch Park located in Bridgewater NJ. This is a FREE family-friendly event with no admission or parking fees and no fees on midway or carnival rides. All day professional & amateur entertainment can be enjoyed as well! The Fair
Dear EscapeMakers -- If you're looking for the ULTIMATE local wine getaway just an hour or so from NYC, we've got the scoop! Book an exclusive 2-night escape at the eco-friendly Chauncey Hotel during: Central Jersey Art & Wine Weekend! July 26-29 Thepackage includes 2-nights hotel, breakfast and a dinner at Chauncey Hotel for two, plus a series of wine tastings for two at Terhune Orchards, Unionville Vineyards Summer Artisan Market and Sourland Mountain Spirits, dinner at Brick Farm Tavern and a sustainability tour and cheese tasting at Cherry Grove Farm! MORE SUMMER EVENTS IN CENTRAL NJ: MORE THINGS TO DO, SEE & TASTE IN CENTRAL NJ: Check out the Central New Jersey agri-tourism map, visit some great family farms, orchards and farm stores, reserve your table at a delicious farm-to-table restaurant, and taste the outstanding and award-winning wine, cider, and spirits. Plus, explore historic sites, recreation areas, canals and arts venues! For more events and Central NJ updates, visit: DiscoverCentralNJ.com
Dear EscapeMakers — If you’re looking for the ULTIMATE local wine getaway just an hour or so from NYC, we’ve got the scoop! Book an exclusive 2-night escape at the eco-friendly Chauncey Hotel during: Central Jersey Art & Wine Weekend! July 26-29 Thepackage includes 2-nights hotel, breakfast and a dinner at Chauncey Hotel for two, plus a series of wine tastings for two at Terhune Orchards, Unionville Vineyards Summer Artisan Market and Sourland Mountain Spirits,
Celebrate 'merica with blueberry picking at Central NJ Farms! Dear EscapeMakers -- Blueberry season is in full swing at Snyder's Farm in Somerset, NJ starting June 29th until they are all picked out! July 13th, visit for Blueberry U-Pick & Movie under the stars. Only a 5-minute cab from the Somerset NJ Transit train station (1 hour from NYC),just grab a friend, a basket and go! And on July 6-7th from 10am-5pm, Terhune Orchards in Princeton, NJ, hosts their annual Blueberry Bash, a great all-American event for kids, families and blueberry fans alike! Pick-Your-Own blueberries in their 2-acre patch and enjoy country music while you relax with a glass of their award-winning Rooster Red dark cherry wine or Farmhouse White chardonnay blend. Family entertainment includes a puppet show, tractor-drawn wagon rides, pony rides, face painting, games in the barnyard and visits with the sheep, goats, ducks and chickens! And when hunger strikes at Terhune, visit the Mount Family's Blueberry Bash Buffet, chock full of tasty blueberry treats – blueberry-apple crisp, blueberry drinks, blueberry muffins, blueberry cobbler, blueberry jam, blueberry salsa and more! You can even enter their juried Blueberry Bash Bake Off Contest for a $100 first prize farmstore certificate! Terhune Orchards is accessible by taking NJ Transit to Princeton and then a quick 13-minute cab ride to the farm)! By the way, three women, including co-founder Pam Mount (pictured here, middle), are key members of Terhune's leadership team. DiscoverCentralNJ.com is highlighting local women in agriculture since they comprise more than 40% of New Jersey farmers -- a fact that has been hidden until now. Read here how a methodology change in the US Farm Census revealed this secret fact! Keep checking the site as they add more amazing women farmers to support! MORE THINGS TO DO, SEE & TASTE
Celebrate ‘merica with blueberry picking at Central NJ Farms! Dear EscapeMakers — Blueberry season is in full swing at Snyder’s Farm in Somerset, NJ starting June 29th until they are all picked out! July 13th, visit for Blueberry U-Pick & Movie under the stars. Only a 5-minute cab from the Somerset NJ Transit train station (1 hour from NYC),just grab a friend, a basket and go! And on July 6-7th from 10am-5pm, Terhune Orchards in
Dear EscapeMakers -- Less than an hour from NYC in Somerset County, New Jersey, Duke Farms will be all aglow at the Firefly Festival! On Friday July 12th & Saturday July 13th, experience the magic of fireflies at the Firefly Festival, one of the world's most renowned environmental destinations! During this family-friendly event, you'll meander along a self-guided 1.5-mile loop through woodlands and meadows to get a glimpse of fireflies in action. Stop at over 20 activity stations along the way and learn to communicate with fireflies, discover what a glowworm is, learn what it takes to create a home for fireflies in your backyard, and much more! The festival runs from 7:30pm - 10:30pm each day! Please register all individuals in your group in advance. BOOK NOW ! More Upcoming Events at Duke Farms NJ Native Orchids (Recurring) Community Garden Snoop Tour (Recurring) Getting to Know Orchids (Recurring) Junior Naturalists (Recurring) Waterfall Hike - July 5th Up with the Birds - July 22 Butterfly Gardening for Kids - July-August Experience Things to Do in Somerset County, NJ VisitSomersetNJ.org
Dear EscapeMakers — Less than an hour from NYC in Somerset County, New Jersey, Duke Farms will be all aglow at the Firefly Festival! On Friday July 12th & Saturday July 13th, experience the magic of fireflies at the Firefly Festival, one of the world’s most renowned environmental destinations! During this family-friendly event, you’ll meander along a self-guided 1.5-mile loop through woodlands and meadows to get a glimpse of fireflies in action. Stop at over
Dear EscapeMakers -- Make a vibrant connection to history! Visit 30 significant historic sites, all open to the public, free of charge, for special events and activities celebrating the history of Somerset County on their annual Weekend Journey Through the Past! Explore the county's quaint villages, rolling farmsteads, lively towns and unspoiled natural areas. Witness what life was like 50, 100 or even 200 years ago, from daily work responsibilities and pleasant pastimes to the difficult hardships endured during the American Revolution. Participating sites are open on Saturday, October 13th (10am-5pm) and Sunday, October 14th(12pm-4pm). MORE INFO! Welcome to Bluebird Farm Alpacas, family fun in a beautiful farm setting, situated among the rolling Somerset Hills in Peapack, New Jersey. Turn a normal day into an extraordinary one! Visit Bluebird Farm Alpacas on October 27-28 to meet and interact with, photograph, or even adopt one of the cuddly creatures. You'll experience alpacas up-close, feel the alpaca fleece, tour the bucolic 11-acre farm, view live demonstrations, learn about raising and breeding alpacas, shop for alpaca products, and enjoy a fun-filled day for the entire family! MORE INFO! Upcoming Events in Somerset County... Duke Farms Creature Fest (Hillsborough) - October 21 16th Annual Colonial Christmas (Bedminster) - November 24 & 25; December 1 & 2 Lord Stirling Winter Holiday Festival - December 1 Experience Things to Do in Somerset County, NJ VisitSomersetNJ.org
Dear EscapeMakers — Make a vibrant connection to history! Visit 30 significant historic sites, all open to the public, free of charge, for special events and activities celebrating the history of Somerset County on their annual Weekend Journey Through the Past! Explore the county’s quaint villages, rolling farmsteads, lively towns and unspoiled natural areas. Witness what life was like 50, 100 or even 200 years ago, from daily work responsibilities and pleasant pastimes to the
Dear EscapeMakers -- Travel less than an hour from NYC for a day filled with jazz music at the Central Jersey Jazz Festival - Somerville! Free parking is available in all municipal parking lots as well as on-street. Plus, the festival is only a few blocks from the Somerville train station. Take NJ Transit from Penn Station! Experience the sounds of today's best live jazz at Somerset County Historic Courthouse Green in Downtown Somerville. The free concert will be held on Sunday, September 16th from 1pm- 6pm, and seating will start at noon. The Central Jersey Jazz Festival - Somerville is rain or shine. Plus, artists and artisans will be offering an array of fascinating and affordable artwork at the JazzFest Art Exhibit & Sale and delicious food and beverages will be available for purchase at the Festival Food Court & Beer Garden. Verve Restaurant will offer a wine and beer garden and Tapastre restaurant will also offer a local craft beer garden with over 20 New Jersey craft beers on tap and ciders for visitors over 21! MORE INFO! Upcoming Events in Somerset County... Somerville Oktoberfest Norz Hill Farm Fall Festival 98th Running of the Far Hills Race Meeting Experience Things to Do in Somerset County, NJ VisitSomersetNJ.org
Dear EscapeMakers — Travel less than an hour from NYC for a day filled with jazz music at the Central Jersey Jazz Festival – Somerville! Free parking is available in all municipal parking lots as well as on-street. Plus, the festival is only a few blocks from the Somerville train station. Take NJ Transit from Penn Station! Experience the sounds of today’s best live jazz at Somerset County Historic Courthouse Green in Downtown Somerville. The
Dear EscapeMakers -- Less than an hour from NYC in Somerset County, New Jersey, Duke Farms will be all aglow at the Firefly Festival! On Friday July 13th & Saturday July 14th, experience the magic of fireflies at the Firefly Festival - at one of the world's most renowned environmental destinations! During this family-friendly event, you'll meander along a self-guided 1.5-mile loop through woodlands and meadows to get a glimpse of fireflies in action. Stop at over 20 activity stations along the way and learn to communicate with fireflies, discover what a glowworm is, learn what it takes to create a home for fireflies in your backyard, and much more! The festival runs from 8:00pm - 11:00pm each day! REGISTER NOW! More Upcoming Events at Duke Farms NJ Native Orchids (Recurring) Community Garden Snoop Tour (Recurring) Getting to Know Orchids (Recurring) Junior Orchid Club (Recurring) Up with the Birds - July 22 Junior Gardeners - July 28 - October 27 Junior Ornithologists - July 29 Experience Things to Do in Somerset County, NJ VisitSomersetNJ.org
Dear EscapeMakers — Less than an hour from NYC in Somerset County, New Jersey, Duke Farms will be all aglow at the Firefly Festival! On Friday July 13th & Saturday July 14th, experience the magic of fireflies at the Firefly Festival – at one of the world’s most renowned environmental destinations! During this family-friendly event, you’ll meander along a self-guided 1.5-mile loop through woodlands and meadows to get a glimpse of fireflies in action. Stop
