LIFE

Scenic, relaxing drives to enjoy fall colors (and stop for a bite!) in North Jersey

Rebecca King
NorthJersey.com

Our green mountains, hills and forests are beginning to turn brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow. Leaf-peeping season is here.

We searched for the highways, byways and country roads that blaze through the most vibrant fall foliage North Jersey has to offer.

Put on your favorite playlist, roll the windows down and cruise along these scenic roads.

Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah

This long and winding road snakes through low, hilly mountains bursting with beautiful fall foliage. You’ll also catch glimpses of the rambling Ramapo river, horse farms and historic mansions.

Where to eat: The quaint, rustic Harvest & Ale in Oakland uses ingredients sourced from local farms, creameries and vendors wherever it can. Try the goat cheese fritters, served with local honey and blueberry compote. 588 Ramapo Valley Road, Oakland; 201-383-9916, harvestandale.com.

The fall leaves show their colors at Ramapo Valley County Reservation Park in Mahwah on Wednesday morning October 31, 2018.

Where to stop: The Ramapo Reservation has hiking through various trails with views of waterfalls and — if you climb high enough — the New York City skyline. 608 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah; nynjtc.org/park/ramapo-valley-co-reservation

Pines Lake Drive West, Wayne

Laurelwood Arboretum in the fall.

Pines Lake Drive circles completely around Pines Lake. The whole loop is lovely, but the western edge hugs the Laurelwood Arboretum, a great place for leaf-peeping.

Where to eat: The family-owned Bagel Loops has been making hand-rolled bagels, deli sandwiches and sweet bakery treats since 1993. Its specialty is vibrant rainbow bagels. Grab one before heading to Pines Lake Drive. 2134 Hamburg Tpk., Wayne; 973-831-8071, facebook.com/Bagelloops.

Where to stop: Of course, we have to recommend the Laurelwood Arboretum. It’s a former commercial nursery that now encompasses 30-acres of trails, gardens, ponds, streams and trees. 725 Pines Lake Dr. W., Wayne; 973-831-567, laurelwoodarboretum.org.

Apple picking:Where to pick your own apples this fall in New Jersey

Donuts:24+ places to get apple cider donuts throughout New Jersey this autumn

Park Road, Woodland Park

A woman walks with an umbrella through Garret Mountain Reservation on a rainy Thursday afternoon on Nov. 12, 2020, in Woodland Park.

Park Road loops around beautiful Garret Mountain Reservation. You can walk it, bike it or simply drive through the reservation to see the leaves.

Where to eat: Imocha Thai is a small, humble restaurant just a few miles away from the Garret Mountain Reservation. It offers solid Thai dishes, coffees, teas and affordable lunch specials. 970 McBride Ave., Woodland Park; 973-837-8567, imochathai.com.

Where to stop: The Auto Overlook along Park Road is essentially a parking lot situated high above Paterson. Stretch your legs while gazing out over the city. 8 Mountain Ave., Woodland Park.

Weldon Road and Espanog Road, Jefferson and Lake Hopatcong

Sunset at Lake Hopatcong's Henderson Cove.

Take a drive through the Rockaway River State Wildlife Area on Weldon Road. Weldon turns into Espanog Road, which traipses along the massive Lake Hopatcong.

Where to eat: The Windlass is an iconic Italian/American restaurant on the shores of Lake Hopatcong. The nautical-themed restaurant has one of the best views of the lake you can find and has dock seating. 45 Nolans Point Park Road, Lake Hopatcong; 973-663-3190, thewindlass.com.

Where to stop: Main Lake Market is a darling shop, white with striped window awnings and built in 1905, that is a mere few steps from the water of Lake Hopatcong. There, you can rent boating equipment, order deli sandwiches and ice cream, or shop for gifts and clothing. 234 S. New Jersey Ave., Lake Hopatcong; 973-663-0544, mainlakemarket.com.

Walpack Flatbrook Road, Walpack Township

Taken in the fall of 2019, this scene shows one of the abandoned farm fields beside Route 209 on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The hillside in the background is in New Jersey  and the Delaware River is just behind the first stand of trees.

Amble through the 7,000 acres of forest in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area on Walpack Flatbrook Road.

Where to eat: The sprawling Walpack Inn has fresh, top-quality food with views of the gorgeous Sussex County mountains and — on some nights — live music. Sit in the rustic dining room, out on the deck or in the yard. 7 National Park Service Road 615, Layton; 973-948-3890, walpackinn.com.

Where to stop: Just off Walpack Flatbrook Road, on Mountain Road, you’ll find Buttermilk Falls, a pretty place to stretch your legs. Mountain Road, Layton.

Western Highlands Scenic Byway, Vernon

This 21.4-mile route was designated by the state as a scenic byway — in other words, a really nice place to take a drive — in 2014. The byway takes you past sections of the Appalachian Trail, historic farms and Revolutionary War-era structures. Go to state.nj.us/transportation/community/scenic/western for the route.

Where to eat: Restaurant Latour, located in Crystal Springs Resort, is a fine dining restaurant (so bring some fancy clothes to change into from your drive). The food is made with locally sourced ingredients and the wine is plentiful. 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg; 844-205-1857, crystalgolfresort.com/culinary/restaurants/grand-cascades-lodge-dining/restaurant-latour.

Where to stop: Wawayanda State Park in Hewitt has more than 60 miles of trails for both novice and experienced hikers. A 19-mile portion of the Appalachian Trail runs through the park. Lake Wawayanda is also a great place for boating. 885 Warwick Turnpike, Hewitt; nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/wawayandastatepark.

Macopin Road, West Milford

The Vreeland Store in West Milford, as seen on April 6, 2018, is a historic building as designated by the town in 1995 now operated as a restaurant, inn, and bar.

Macopin Road winds through a dang pretty part of Passaic County. The changing leaves along on this country road won’t disappoint.

Where to eat: The Vreeland Store is a cozy restaurant and bakery located in an old home. Stop in for sandwiches, eggs, pancakes and other breakfast and lunch foods in the restaurant. 1383 Macopin Road, West Milford; 973-874-0860, thevreelandstore.com.

Where to stop: Did we mention the Vreeland Store also has a counter service bakery? It serves muffins, scones and other baked goods, along with coffee and tea.

Palisades Interstate Parkway, Fort Lee

Palisades Interstate Park

Palisades Interstate Parkway is designated as a scenic byway by New Jersey. It hugs the Palisades cliffs that look out over the Hudson River and New York City skyline. The 42-mile drive runs from The George Washington Bridge to the Bear Mountain Bridge in New York and offers plenty of leaf-peeping opportunities.

Where to eat: The squat little restaurant So Kong Dong looks unassuming but has become famous for its soft tofu soup. This warm, spicy dish, served with plenty of banchan, is a perfect autumn meal. 130 Main St., Fort Lee; 201-585-1122, so-kong-dong.com.

Where to stop: Pull over to the Rockefeller Lookout, off the parkway. It sits 400 feet above the river and offers views of the Manhattan skyline. You can find it about a mile north of Parkway Exit 1.

Rebecca King is a food writer for NorthJersey.com. For more on where to dine and drink, please subscribe today and sign up for our North Jersey Eats newsletter.

Email: kingr@northjersey.com 

Twitter: @rebeccakingnj 

Instagram: @northjerseyeats