Lovebird Cafe and Market Opens in Brick Township with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony (2024)

September in New Jersey is a magical time when summer lingers just long enough to blend into the crisp beginnings of fall. If you’re looking for a mix of beach days and fall vibes, the Garden State has got you covered. Here are five things you definitely need to check out this September.

Hit the Beach for Locals' Summer

The best-kept secret of the Jersey Shore? Locals' Summer. With the tourists gone, the beaches are wide open, the boardwalks are blissfully uncrowded, and parking is a breeze.

Whether you're planning to soak up some sun, take a dip in the warm ocean waters, or enjoy a quiet walk along the shore, September is the perfect time. Plus, beach towns like Cape May and Ocean City still have plenty going on with shops, restaurants, and ice cream stands open for business.

Feast at a Fall Food Festival

September is prime time for food festivals in New Jersey, where you can sample everything from barbecue to seafood. The Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival is a local favorite, combining fresh oysters with craft beer and live music.

If you’re more into comfort food, the Sea Isle City Food Truck Festival brings together some of the best mobile eateries around. Either way, your taste buds are in for a treat.

Explore a State Park with a Side of Fall Foliage

New Jersey’s state parks are stunning year-round, but September offers the best of both worlds: lush green landscapes with hints of fall color beginning to appear. Head to High Point State Park for panoramic views, or explore the trails at Hacklebarney State Park, where the early signs of autumn start to paint the trees. Bring a picnic, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the tranquility before the full fall rush.

Experience the Charm of New Jersey’s Wine Country

Yes, New Jersey has wine country! And September is harvest season, making it the perfect time to visit local vineyards.

Take a trip to the South Jersey Wine & Ale Trail, where you can sip on award-winning wines while overlooking the vines. Some vineyards even host harvest festivals, complete with grape stomping, live music, and food pairings. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or just looking for a relaxing day out, this is a must-do.

5. Go Apple and Pumpkin Picking

Nothing says fall in New Jersey like a trip to a local orchard or farm for apple and pumpkin picking. Visit places like Alstede Farms in Chester or Terhune Orchards in Princeton, where you can fill your basket with crisp, juicy apples and find the perfect pumpkin for carving. Many farms also offer hayrides, corn mazes, and fresh cider doughnuts, making it a full day of autumn fun for the whole family. It’s the perfect way to welcome the season and take home a taste of fall.

Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, and for many locals on the Jersey Shore, it’s not just a time to say goodbye to beach days and boardwalk nights—it’s also the moment when the BENNYs pack up their towels and head back north. For those unfamiliar with the term, BENNYs are the visitors from North Jersey and New York who flock to the Jersey Shore every summer, filling the beaches, restaurants, and roads.

The name "BENNY" is a long-standing, somewhat affectionate yet exasperated nickname, supposedly derived from the first letters of Bayonne, Elizabeth, Newark, and New York.

So, should we be popping champagne bottles in celebration when they leave?

For the locals, the departure of BENNYs often feels like the return of their hometown. Streets are less crowded, you can finally get a parking spot close to your favorite ice cream shop, and the beaches are blissfully quiet. After a summer of dodging tourists and waiting in lines, the Shore transforms back into the peaceful paradise locals adore. It’s not just about physical space either. The vibe changes. Gone are the chaotic weekenders looking for a good time, replaced by the laid-back, easygoing energy that defines the Shore in the off-season.

But beneath the surface of this relief lies a more complex reality. While the departure of BENNYs might mean peace and quiet, it also marks the end of a significant economic boost.

These summer visitors are the lifeblood of the local economy, filling hotel rooms, packing restaurants, and buying every last bit of saltwater taffy. Many Shore businesses rely on that seasonal influx of tourists to make it through the rest of the year. So when we’re celebrating the end of summer, we might also be cheering the exit of the very people who help keep these communities afloat.

There’s also the undeniable fact that BENNYs bring a certain energy to the Shore that simply vanishes after Labor Day. Love them or hate them, they give the area a pulse. The excitement, the events, the hustle and bustle—they all die down when the BENNYs head home. Suddenly, it’s a lot easier to get a table at your favorite spot, but you might find that the spot isn’t quite the same without the lively buzz of summer crowds.

And let’s not forget that some BENNYs have been coming to the Shore for generations, creating family traditions and memories that span decades.

To them, the Jersey Shore isn’t just a summer fling—it’s a second home. Their presence, while sometimes overwhelming, is part of what makes the Shore the vibrant, diverse place that it is. Without them, the local culture would be missing a key ingredient.

So, should we really be celebrating the departure of BENNYs each year? Maybe the answer isn’t so straightforward. While there’s no denying the appeal of a quiet September beach or a traffic-free drive down Ocean Avenue, there’s also a bittersweetness to the post-Labor Day calm.

The end of summer means more than just the exit of tourists; it signals a shift in the very heartbeat of the Jersey Shore.

In the end, perhaps it’s best to embrace both sides of the coin.

Celebrate the return of peace and quiet, but also acknowledge the vital role that BENNYs play in making the Shore what it is. After all, when Memorial Day rolls around again, you just might find yourself looking forward to their return.

CAPITOL HEIGHTS, Md. — Prince George's County Police have charged Rene Pop Chub, 32, in connection with the death of his brother, Crisantos Pop Chub, 45, following a domestic-related altercation. The incident occurred on August 16, 2024, on the 500 block of Shady Glen Drive.

Officers responded to a report of a fight at approximately 11:30 p.m. Upon arrival, they found Crisantos Pop Chub unconscious and another man, also injured, lying outside. Both were transported to a nearby hospital. Crisantos Pop Chub succumbed to his injuries on August 30, 2024.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Rene Pop Chub pushed his brother during an argument, causing him to fall and strike his head. The second victim's injuries were described as non-life-threatening.

Rene Pop Chub has been charged with second-degree murder and is currently held without bond at the Department of Corrections. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to contact detectives at 301-516-2512.