Hunterdon County leans into fall with festivals, foliage and haunted attractions

Hunterdon County is promoting an autumn lineup of foliage drives, farm stops, Oktoberfest events and Halloween attractions aimed at day-trippers and weekend visitors from New York City and Philadelphia. The season’s draw includes the Haunted Red Mill, Schaefer Farms, the Pumpkin Train and beer-trail celebrations across the county.

Why it matters: - Hunterdon County is trying to turn fall foliage season into a travel driver for farms, breweries, outdoor recreation and small-town shopping. - The county says the mix of scenic routes, harvest events and Halloween attractions makes it an easy autumn escape for day trips and weekend getaways. - The pitch is aimed at visitors coming from New York City and Philadelphia, both about an hour away.

What happened: - Hunterdon County opened its fall tourism push with festivals, harvest celebrations, Oktoberfest events and haunted attractions. - The county is highlighting outdoor stops, farm experiences and the Haunted Red Mill in Clinton as part of the seasonal lineup. - Marc Saluk, director of Hunterdon County Economic Development & Tourism, said fall is when visitors can combine trails, farms, historic downtowns, local food or wine and nighttime events into one trip.

The details: - Round Valley Recreation Area offers some of the county’s strongest fall views as color reflects across the reservoir. - Trails throughout Hunterdon County give hikers and cyclists direct views of the season. - Along the Delaware River, visitors can pair outdoor time with stops in Lambertville, Stockton, Frenchtown and Milford. - Hunterdon County’s rolling farmland, wooded roads, reservoirs and river communities support foliage drives, hikes, bike rides and casual wandering. - Visitors can also build itineraries around farm stands, markets, wineries, breweries, restaurants, galleries and independent shops. - The Haunted Red Mill runs Oct. 2-24 at the Red Mill Museum Village, 56 Main Street in Clinton. - The haunted attraction runs Friday and Saturday nights starting at 7 p.m. - This year’s theme is “Lurking in the Shadows.” - The experience includes winding trails, eerie mazes, scares and a haunted hayride along the river. - Families can visit Happy Haunts on Saturday mornings for a milder Halloween option. - Schaefer Farms in the Flemington area is hosting the Farm of Horrors on October weekends. - The haunted farm event covers more than 200 acres. - Visitors can ride the Hayride of Horror, then continue through the Trail of Terror, MassAcre Maize and CarNevil of Chaos. - Lone Eagle Brewing in Flemington is holding a full day of music and entertainment on Sept. 19. - Readington Brewery & Hop Farm will hold its 5th Annual Oktoberfest Oct. 2-4. - The main event starts Saturday, Oct. 3 at noon with live music, steinholding competitions, goat races and beer on the farm. - More information on beer-trail Oktoberfest activities is available in the county beer trail guide. - The Black River & Western Railroad’s Pumpkin Train departs from Flemington Station on Stangl Road and rides to Everitt Farms at Pumpkin Junction in Ringoes. - The historic coaches are pulled by a vintage diesel-electric locomotive. - Riders get access to a six-acre pumpkin patch, a corn maze, a straw-bale maze, a kids’ corn box, a petting zoo, wagon rides and a live DJ. - Tickets and details are available for the Pumpkin Train. - The 579 Trail connects more than 40 farms, farmers markets, wineries and other agricultural stops across the county. - Fall on the 579 Trail centers on cider, pumpkins and seasonal farm goods. - ExploreHunterdonNJ.com is promoting trip ideas, outdoor adventures, farms, markets, wineries, breweries, dining, shopping and upcoming events.

Between the lines: - Hunterdon County is packaging a broad set of fall activities to keep visitors in the area longer and spread spending across farms, hospitality businesses and attractions. - The county’s mix of nature-based tourism and themed events gives it multiple entry points for travelers who want either low-key scenic outings or full Halloween and Oktoberfest experiences.

What's next: - The Haunted Red Mill, Farm of Horrors, Oktoberfest events and Pumpkin Train will anchor the county’s fall calendar through October. - Visitors can keep building trips around the county’s trails, farms, breweries and river towns as foliage season continues. - More trip planning information is available at ExploreHunterdonNJ.com.