Whether you’re looking for music by the beach or local brews with a side of fall foliage, these five New Jersey fall festivals serve up easy day trips from New York City.
Sea.Hear.Now Music Festival
When: September 21-22nd, 2019
Where: Asbury Park, New Jersey
Head to the beach for a weekend of music on the Jersey Shore and everything from Jack Johnson’s surf vibes to Incubus’ angsty rock at the Sea.Hear.Now Festival. Start your days doing yoga on the sand or relax as you watch surfing expression – 30 minute sessions where expert surfers combine athleticism and creativity on their boards. Tickets start at $109.
How to get there: Take NJ Transit North Coast Line to Asbury.
Red Bank Oyster Festival
When: September 29th, 2019
Where: Red Bank, NJ
This annual festival is for the foodie with a penchant for oysters. Along with the fresh shellfish, 25 local restaurants will be onsite for you to taste and try Red Bank’s best eats. Those looking for a drinking experience can expect beer throughout the day and an after party at the Dublin House after the street festival.
How to get there: Take New Jersey Transit to Red Bank and walk 6 blocks to the Dublin House
Hoboken Fall Arts and Music Festival
When: September 29, 2019
Where: Hoboken, New Jersey
A mix of live music, artisans and a food fair await you across the Hudson in Hoboken. This year, the annual Hoboken Arts and Music Festival brings dozens of bands to three stages and food ranging from Indian to Greek for purchase. Expect to find watercolors, sculpture, metalwork and pottery among the 100 artists on-site. Free to attend.
How to get there: Take the Path train or NY Waterway Ferry
Seton Village Food Truck And Craft Beer Festival
When: October 18th, 209
Where: South Orange, New Jersey
Head to South Orange for an Oktoberfest with a local twist: Garden State craft beer! The annual Seton Village Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival brings 25 New Jersey brewers together alongside 20 food trucks making it a perfect day trip from the city.
How to get there: Take the NJ Transit Dover Line to South Orange.
Arts Council of Princeton Day of the Dead
When: November 2nd, 2019
Where: Princeton, New Jersey
While this suggestion is more of a celebration than a festival, it’s worthy of making it to your events list this fall. Don a costume and head to Princeton to enjoy El Día de los Muertos with food, folk art, and skulls. Learn about the history and traditions of this Mexican holiday and enjoy an afternoon outdoors with the sound of mariachis in the background. Free to attend.
How to get to Princeton from NYC: Take the Coach USA 100 bus from Port Authority to Princeton Palmer Square.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram