By Julia Train
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of outdoor activities before the chill of winter sets in. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun or thrilling spooky adventures, there’s no shortage of options. To make your planning easier, I’ve rounded up eight local experiences that offer something for everyone—daytime outings for families and thrills for those who crave a scare after dark.
- R and J Farm
Located on W. Herschel Street in Galloway is R and J Farm. The family-owned farm provides fun for visitors of all ages. Kids can have all-day access to a jumping pad for $5. Guests can get lost in the corn maze or take a hayride out to the pumpkin patch to pick the perfect pumpkin, both for the price of $9. Combo tickets are also available.
There’s also a snack shack, pumpkin stand–for those who would rather just pick up a pumpkin and other plants for home decor–and the Taylor Made Treats dessert truck on the weekends.
- Working Dog Farms
On S. Odessa Avenue in Galloway, Working Dog Farms is hosting “Pumpkin Picking and Sweet Potato Digging” for three out of the four weekends of October.
For $10, visitors can participate in hayrides, picking a small pumpkin or digging two sweet potatoes, pumpkin decorating, chicken feeding, a corn pit, outdoor games and many photo opportunities.
- Stiles Farm and Nursery
Located at 172 South Delsea Drive, Cape May Court House, is a “U-pick” fruit farm, something that is hard to find in Atlantic and Cape May counties. At Stiles Farm and Nursery, pick apples, pears, figs, pumpkins and more.
- Johnson’s Corner Farm
A drive away, in Medford, you can pick your own apples, sunflowers, pumpkins and more. Every weekend through October, the farm has Harvest Festivals with hayrides to pick pumpkins, gourds and apples, live music, a festival food tent, gem mining and duck races, a corn maze and animals.
And for those who seek to be spooked during this season:
- Forever Forest
Experience a “Nightmare Before Christmas” at 354 Bremen Ave., Egg Harbor City. For $24.99, enter an immersive experience every weekend in October. There are four sessions that last an hour and a half each day–two kid-friendly daytime sessions and two at night that are suited for older kids and adults.
The night sessions include a mile-long haunted walking trail, going through the newly added “Haunted Tree Maze” and “Tunnel of Terror,” with live actors. This is not for younger children. The day sessions are a family-friendly experience that includes a trolley ride through the Forever Forest farm with Halloween decorations. There are also outdoor activities like crafts, karaoke and s’mores by the campfire.
- Terror in the Junkyard
Presented by the Scullville Volunteer Fire Company is the “Terror in the Junkyard” haunted hayride and “Maze of Terror.” Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October, volunteers come together to scare visitors at Flemings Junkyard. Tickets are $15 for the hayride, $10 for the maze and $20 for both.
- Miller Farms
Every Friday and Saturday in October from 7-10 p.m., walk through the haunted woods and maze at Miller Farms, which is located at 624 S. Egg Harbor Road in Hammonton. You’ll come in contact with flesh-eating zombies, devilish clowns, chainsaw maniacs and a variety of other creatures. A ticket for the haunted woods is $20 and $10 for the haunted maze.
- Atlantic City Ghosts: Banshees of the Boardwalk
Explore Atlantic City’s most haunted and historic locations on the Boardwalk with an hour-long walking tour. Visit the Warner Theatre, Caesars and Bally’s, among others. Tickets are $29 for adults, $19 for children 6 and over.
Julia is a recent Rider University graduate, where she studied multiplatform journalism and social media strategies. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, trying new coffee shops, photography and the beach. She can be reached at juliatrainmedia@gmail.com or connect with her on Instagram @juliatrain
