The summer may be over, but true South Jersey natives know that the Shore is just as good – if not better! – in the fall.
Without the hustle of peak season, the Jersey Shore reveals itself in new ways, whether you’re paddling down calm rivers, wandering through charming coastal towns or immersing yourself in the region’s rich history and arts scene. Sure, you might need a sweater, but that’s just part of the charm.
Fall at the Shore offers a different kind of magic, one where you can truly savor its beauty at your own pace.
Here’s how to enjoy it.
Fall is for the birds
Fall is a fabulous time to see a variety of birds and butterflies at the Shore. The Cape May peninsula sits in the heart of the Atlantic Flyway, so you can watch thousands of birds make their way down south. On any day this month, you could see a peregrine falcon flying low along the salt marsh and flocks of white-winged scoters migrating along the oceanfront.
Take a drive to the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge and visit acres of protected, undeveloped forest and beach. The site has boardwalks and two observation platforms along with a nearly one-mile sand and clamshell trail that leads you through the maritime forest habitat. If you enter the driveway from Route 621, pull off onto the shoulder to see the ponds on either side of the road.
At Cape May Point State Park, hawk watching is the main attraction, but you can also see the migration of songbirds, seabirds and monarch butterflies. (The orange and black butterflies make their way down the coastal dunes, nectaring from seaside goldenrod and a variety of other fall blooming flowers.) You just might find a crew of naturalists from the New Jersey Audubon Society there as official hawk counters. And it’s ok to ask them to identify any of the 19 species of raptor you might see soaring by. The park includes a lighthouse, trails, boardwalks, viewing platforms and covered picnic areas, and it’s free to enter.
If you’d like to learn a bit more about the environment, check out the Nature Center of Cape May. The campus includes a three-story observation tower, an indoor observation lounge, three classrooms and themed display gardens. Fall is a great time to visit the small patch of beach across from the Nature Center to get an up-close view of an osprey, common loon or American oystercatcher.
Holiday Happenings
Winterfest By The Sea
Saturday, Nov. 16,
9 am – 3 pm | Ocean City
Enjoy craft and food vendors, and more, at Ocean City’s Winterfest by the Sea Holiday Gift & Craft Market. Vendors are set up from 9 am to 3 pm at the Sports & Civic Center on 6th and Boardwalk. Visit oceancityvacation.com for more details.
Dickens Village
Dickens Village
Saturday, Nov. 23,
5 – 7:30 pm | Cape May
Get in the Christmas Spirit during the Holiday Inns Tour, when you can visit festively decorated homes. In the evening, Victorian Cape May transforms into a Dickens Village, which kicks off with a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Emlen Physick Estate.
This is part of the Carroll Gallery Exhibit:
An Old-Fashioned Christmas Exhibit.
Find more information at capemaymac.org.
Family Holiday Beach Bonfire
Family Holiday Beach Bonfire
Friday, Nov. 29, 5 – 9 pm North Wildwood
Enjoy an evening of festive music and a cozy bonfire at 2nd & Surf Ave. This family-friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate with loved ones by the sea. Suggested donation is $10 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. All proceeds support the North Wildwood Volunteer Fire Company #1. For more details, visit wildwoodsnj.com
Miracle on Asbury Avenue
Ocean City
Enjoy free horse and carriage rides through downtown Ocean City as you celebrate the holiday season down the Shore. Board at 6th and Asbury Ave. Visit oceancityvacation.com for dates and times.
Holiday Crafts & Collectibles Show
Friday & Saturday, Nov. 29 & 30, 10 am – 4 pm | Cape May
Wrap up your holiday shopping at Cape May Convention Hall, where dozens of local artisans and merchants will be selling handmade crafts, collectibles, decor, gifts and more. Visit capemaymac.org for more details.
Island Holiday Weekend
Friday Nov. 29 & Saturday, Nov. 30 | Stone Harbor
Visit the Holiday Market & Carousel at Water Tower Lot from 11 am to 5 pm, enjoy a Pet Parade at 1 pm, and don’t miss the Tree Lighting and Hospitality Night starting at 6 pm in the business district. On Saturday, start the day with the Downtown Dash at 10 am and stay for the Christmas Parade at 6:30 pm. For more details, visit stoneharborchamber.com.
Your Best Friend at the Beach
Peak Shore season may be done for us, but it’s in full swing for our furry friends. Here’s your seasonal guide for dogs at the beach. Keep in mind: All of these beaches require dogs to be on a leash at all times.
Atlantic City:
Sept. 16 – Memorial Day
Avalon:
Oct. 1 – Feb. 28.
Dogs are not permitted on the boardwalk.
Barnegat Light:
Oct. 1 – April 14
Brigantine:
Oct. 1 – May 29
Cape May:
Nov. 1 – March 31
Cape May Point:
Nov. 1 – March 14
Long Beach Township:
Oct. 1 – May 15, except Bayview Park
North Wildwood:
Year-round 6 – 9 am and 5:30 – 10 pm. Dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk.
Ocean City:
Oct. 1 – March 14 on all beaches, March 15 – April 30 everywhere except between Longport Bridge and the jetty near Seaview Rd., and between 18th & 34th Sts. Dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk.
Sea Isle City:
Sept. 30 – May 1
Stone Harbor:
Sept. 2 – May 22
Ventnor:
Anytime from Oct. 1 – May 14, and from 7 – 9 pm from May 15 – Sept. 30.
Wildwood:
Oct. 1 – May 30. Dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk.
Day Trippin’
If you’re taking the drive but can only stay for a day, the shore has so much for you to do. Spend hours touring some of South Jersey’s most interesting historic and cultural sites.
Wheaton Arts
WheatonArts
1501 Glasstown Rd., Millville
wheatonarts.org
Hours: Thursday through Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm through December.
Admission: Adults: $12 | Seniors: $11 | Students: $7
Discover the rich history and artistry of glassmaking at WheatonArts. Visitors can watch live glass and pottery demonstrations, explore fascinating glass art galleries, and even get involved with hands-on activities in the Artist Studios.
The Noyes Arts Garage
2200 Fairmount Avenue, Atlantic City
artsgarageac.com
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am – 6 pm
(Park for free in the Wave garage with a $40+ studio purchase.)
The Arts Garage features artist studios, galleries and shops. Watch artists at work, learn about their creative processes, and purchase unique pieces of original artwork. Artists work in a variety of mediums such as photography, painting and illustration.
The Museum of Cape May County
504 North Route 9, Cape May Court House
cmcmuseum.org
Tours every Wed. and Fri. at 10 am and noon
Set on a 3-acre campus with three historic buildings, this museum tells the story of Cape May County, from Native American history to the 21st century.
New Jersey Maritime Museum
New Jersey Maritime Museum
528 Dock Rd., Beach Haven
njmaritimemuseum.org
Hours: Fri. – Sun., 10 am – 4 pm
Admission: Donations accepted. Explore two floors of maritime exhibits, including boat models, shipwreck artifacts and Coast Guard memorabilia. The museum also houses a database of 4,800 shipwrecks along the Jersey coastline.
African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center, 661 Jackson Road, Newtonville
aahmsnj.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 am – 3 pm
This museum showcases over 12,000 artifacts, documents, and exhibits that highlight African American history and culture. It also features works by local African American artists.
Doo Wop Experience
4500 Ocean Ave., Wildwood
doowopusa.org
Hours: Friday and Saturday,
6 – 9:30 pm
Step back into Wildwood’s 1950s and 1960s heyday at the Doo Wop Experience. This colorful museum is filled with retro artifacts, neon signs, and the fun, lively spirit that made Wildwood famous during the Doo Wop era.
Cruisin’ along the water
The water might be cold (so be sure to wear a wet suit if the combined air and water temperatures are less than 120 degrees), but you can still have a fall kayaking adventure down the Shore.
Wharton State Forest
Spanning Atlantic, Burlington and Camden counties, Wharton State Forest offers more than 120,000 acres to explore. Kayak the Mullica River, surrounded by fall colors or take a peaceful trip around Atsion Lake. Be sure to check out Batsto Village, a historic bog iron and glass-making town. There’s no entrance fee for the forest, though Batsto Village and Atsion recreation area have an entrance fee per vehicle for NJ residents.
Double Trouble State Park
In Ocean County, Double Trouble State Park is home to Cedar Creek, perfect for a peaceful kayak trip. Paddle through cranberry bogs and past the remnants of Double Trouble Village, a once-thriving cranberry and lumber town. This park offers a blend of history and natural beauty, and there’s no entrance fee to visit.
Bass River State Forest
With over 18,000 acres of nature in Burlington and Ocean counties, Bass River State Forest is ideal for family-friendly kayaking. Paddle through the scenic Lake Absegami, a 67-acre lake created in the 1930s. History buffs will appreciate the forest’s ties to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s conservation efforts during the Great Depression. Don’t miss West Pine Plains Natural Area, a rare “Pygmy Forest” of stunted trees no taller than 4 feet.
Corson’s Inlet State Park
Located in Cape May County, Corson’s Inlet State Park is a quiet escape for kayakers. This 341-acre park offers a peaceful paddle with opportunities for birdwatching. It’s a nesting site for endangered species like the Piping Plover, making it a unique spot to connect with nature. No entrance fee is required.
Belleplain State Forest
Kayak on the picturesque Lake Nummy in Belleplain State Forest, located in Cape May and Cumberland counties. Originally a cranberry bog, the lake is a scenic fall destination. You’ll find restrooms, changing rooms, and a concession stand on site. Belleplain also offers plenty of hiking trails and picnic areas to enjoy after your paddle. A vehicle fee applies for NJ residents.
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Situated at the northern tip of Long Beach Island, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park offers stunning views of the Atlntic Ocean and Barnegat Bay. While the inside of the lighthouse remains closed, you can still kayak near the inlet and try your luck fishing in the surrounding waters. Entrance is free, and the lighthouse makes for a dramatic backdrop on your fall kayaking trip.
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
If you’re looking for a mix of kayaking and history, Brendan T. Byrne State Forest in Burlington and Ocean Counties offers both. Kayak near Whitesbog Village, a historic cranberry and blueberry farming town. The fall foliage combined with the serene waterways makes this park a beautiful destination. Entrance is free, and there are plenty of trails to explore after your paddle.
Off the beach
You don’t have to get sand all over you just to have fun at the Shore. Stop by some of these fall happenings.
Stairway to the Stars
Friday, Nov. 1, 7 – 9 pm
Cape May
Climb the 199 steps to the Cape May Lighthouse watchtower to catch a glimpse of the new moon. The stairway is open from 7 to 9 pm, and tickets cost $20 for adults, $10 for children. Find more information at capemaymac.org.
Crafts & Collectibles Show
Saturday, Nov. 2, 10 am – 4 pm
Cape May
Head to Cape May Convention Hall to shop with local artisans and merchants at the Fall Crafts & Collectibles Show. Vendors are set up from 10 amto 3 pm. Visit capemaymac.org for more details.
Trail of Two Cities 5K
Saturday, Nov. 2 starting at 8 am
Ocean City
Lace up your running shoes and head down the shore for a 5k run from Ocean City to Somers Point. The route starts at the Transportation Center in Ocean City at 9th Street and Haven Ave. at 8 am and finishes at John F. Kennedy Park in Somers Point.
There will be buses to bring runners from Somers Point to Ocean City, with the last bus leaving at
7:30 am, and buses to transport runners back to Ocean City at the finish line. Registration starts at 7 am and costs $35. Find more information at ocnj.us.
Candlelight Walk
Saturday, Nov. 2, 5 – 8 pm
Cape May
Stroll through the Historic Cold Spring Village by candlelight as you enjoy wine, beer, food and live music. Tickets are $45 for adults and $40 for members. Visit hcsv.org for more details.
Fast & Furriest 5K Turkey Trot
Thursday, Nov. 28 starting at 8:30 am
Ocean City Boardwalk
Bring your furry friend for the Fast & Furriest 5K Turkey Trot on the Ocean City Boardwalk. Sponsored by the Humane Society of Ocean City, this event is a fun way to burn off Thanksgiving calories while supporting a great cause. Registration costs $35 for the 5k Run and the 5k Walk, and $20 for the 1 Mile Kids Fun Run. For more information, visit hsocnj.org.
Look up (at night)
Anyone who caught the Northern Lights beam through South Jersey last month knows the Shore is one of the best places in the state to catch a glimpse of the stars. Wide-open skies and minimal light pollution plus the flat expansive shoreline next to the ocean offers a prime spot for stargazers.
There’s no better time to look to the skies than in the fall, when the cool weather causes humidity levels to drop. On a hot summer night, the moisture in the air scatters and absorbs light, making it hard to see the stars and planets as clearly. Lower humidity, which is more common in the cooler months like fall, provides clearer skies with less light scattering, allowing for crisper, more detailed views of the night sky.
This is all a part of the area’s growing reputation as a hub for stargazing and night sky photography.
Notable astronomical events in this month include the Taurid Meteor Shower (Nov. 11-12), a moderate meteor shower known for producing bright fireballs best visible around midnight. Catch the Leonid Meteor Shower (Nov. 17-18), known for producing 10-15 fast, bright meteors per hour, from midnight to dawn and the Full Beaver Moon (Nov. 15), which is an opportunity to capture the moon rising over the ocean.
Also this month, South Jersey residents will have several opportunities to catch a glimpse of the International Space Station (ISS) as it passes overhead. Keep an eye out on Nov. 3 at 6:40 am for a 6-minute window to view the ISS and on Nov. 4 for a 4-minute window at 4:43 am. The station will appear as a bright dot crossing the sky from the northwest to the southeast on Nov. 3. And in the opposite direction on Nov. 4.
