Okay, so you’re done with the shore for the season and you’re looking for something different. Why not visit Lafayette for the Italian & Garlic Festival! Mmmmm, it’s got my mouth watering just thinking about it. A little veal parm, extra garlic…ooh, a slice of tomato pie…mmm, you get the picture.

Lafayette is your place this weekend, if this is your thing. You’ll find over 100 varities of garlic, get some great food, hear good music and more.

Here’s the scoop:
Olde Lafayette Village, Rt 15 at Rt 94.

Times:
October 4 & 5
Saturday 11am-6pm
Sunday 11am-4pm

Who knew there were that many varieties of garlic…I didn’t!

Wildwood is having a party this weekend. Will you be there? October 4th, from 11am to 8pm, there will be food, crafts, fun, music and more. Can you say pie eating contest? You’ll find the fun at Atlantic Ave between Wildwood and Schellinger Aves.

This is a family event, so keep it friendly!

If you’re looking for a place to stay, you can find Wildwood Hotels here.

As September falls away, and October sneaks up on us, be sure to set your calendar for the Chowderfest on Long Beach Island. This is a huge event that you’ll want to attend. On Saturday, October 4th from 10am-2pm, there’s a giant end of the season merchant mart. Over 80 retailers put their wares out at deep discounts. They have music, food and good bargains!

Then on Sunday the Chowder Cook-Off takes place. This is the 20th Annual Chowderfest features both New England (White) Chowder and Manhattan (Red) Chowder. Which will be your favorite? Be sure to join the fun so you can vote and taste them all.

This is a rain or shine event.

North Jersey Pumpkin Farms are all over the place! It should be a snap to find one local for all your pumpkin shopping needs! Can you believe October is only a week away? Seriously, when did that happen? I’m still in beach mode, but now I have to shop for Halloween! If you love to go out an pick your own pumpkin, have I got a list for you!

Here are a few North Jersey Pumpkin Farms to get you started:

Abma’s Farm
Lawlins Rd, Wyckoff, NJ

Ashley Farms
Hillside Ave, Flanders, NJ

Conklin Farm
Vreeland & River Rds, Montville, NJ

Country Fresh Farms
W Asbury-Anderson Rd, Hampton, NJ

Denville Farms
Boonton Rd, Denville, NJ

Everett’s Farm
Beekman Ln, Hillsborough, NJ

Grochowicz Farm Market
Route 31 South, Glen Gardner, NJ

Habiak Farms
Deans Rhodes Hall, South Brunswick, NJ

Hamilton Farms
Old Denville Rd, Boonton, NJ

Heaven Hill Farm
Route 94, Vernon, NJ

Hillsboro Farm
Hillsoborough Rd, Hillsborough, NJ

Ideal Farm
Route 15, Lafayette, NJ

Kattermann Farms
Route 23 South, Sussex, NJ

Lines Farm
Eyland Ave, Succasunna, NJ

Ort Farms
Bartley Rd, Long Valley, NJ

Matarazzo Farms
Route 519, Belvidere, NJ

Menzel Brothers Farm
Route 34, Holmdel, NJ

Parks Farms
Route 34, Chester NJ

River Lea Farm Market
South Branch Rd, Branchburg, NJ

Slope Brooke Farms
Heyers Mill Rd, Colts Neck, NJ

Stattels Brookrest Farm
Route 520, Marlboro, NJ

Stony Hill Farm Market
North Rd, Chester, NJ

Sun High Orchard
Canfield Ave, Randolph, NJ

Sunny Acres Pumpkin Patch
Burlington Path Rd, Cream Ridge, NJ

Suydam Farms
Route 27, Somerset, NJ

Union Hill Farms
Cooper Rd, Denville, NJ

Valley Brook Farm
Route 22 East, Lebanon, NJ

You can find more fun places to go in New Jersey with the New Jersey Fun Finder.

South Jersey Pumpkin Farms are a great place to get your next pumpkin. I don’t know about you, but when fall rolls around, I’m thinking of pumpkins, corn mazes and apple cider. Some people love haunted hay rides, but between the hay and the scaring, it’s not my thing! Sneezing and being scared isn’t up my alley. On the other hand, carving a pumpkin, or making a pumpkin pie…up my alley.

Here’s a couple South Jersey Pumpkin Farms (that I’m aware of) that you can check out to go pick our your perfect pumpkin for Halloween (if you know some that I missed, feel free to leave them in the comments):

Indian Acres Tree Farm
Tuckerton Rd, Medford

Marlboro Farm Market
601 Route 49, Bridgeton

Springdale Farm Market
1638 S Springdale Rd, Cherry Hill

There are 21 New Jersey Counties. Of those 21 counties, 12 counties are in Northern New Jersey. 8 of the Counties are in Southern New Jersey. Here’s as simple list of the NJ Counties:

Northern New Jersey Counties

1. Bergen County
2. Essex County
3. Hudson County
4. Hunterdon County
5. Mercer County
6. Middlesex County
7. Monmouth County
8. Morris County
9. Pasaic County
10. Somerset County
11. Sussex County
12. Union County
13. Warren County

Southern New Jersey Counties

1. Atlantic County
2. Burlington County
3. Camden County
4. Cape May County
5. Cumberland County
6. Gloucester County
7. Ocean County
8. Salem County

I live in Hunterdon County, and Ocean County is my favorite place to be!

Here’s a map of New Jersey. Go take a look…Do you see our entire east coast line is beaches? That’s right, it’s one of the biggest reasons I love living in New Jersey. The thing is, with so many different beaches, there’s a different beach for everyone. Looking for a teenage hang out, then you’ll want to hit Wildwood. Families with young children, Point Pleasant is the place for you. If you’re looking for a non-commercialized place without all the fast food garbage, check out LBI. Sea Isle City, a great beach for low key families, Cape May if you like charming towns.

I’ve got a huge selection of beaches right here at home. Seriously, I can’t imagine living in the middle of the country and being more than a short drive to see the ocean. It blows my mind some people have never seen an ocean, and yet it’s one of my favorite things to see in the world.

We might be a small state, but we’ve got some damn fine beaches to share!

Jersey may be a small state, but Jersey girls have big personality! This guide will keep you up to date on the latest places to get those great shoes, the hottest beach to visit, tell you who’s who, and what’s what…Jersey girl style.