Halloween Train Rides in New Jersey (2026)

Trains and TravelHalloween Train Rides
Written By Kelsey Cecil

Updated October 14, 2026 · 32 min read

Every October train out of Phillipsburg pauses in a glade in front of the Carpentersville Lime Kilns, which the Delaware River railroad calls the oldest and largest surviving lime kilns in New Jersey, and that is where kids hop off to pick a free pumpkin. Eight Jersey rides still have dates on or after October 14: five pumpkin and costume rides and three after-dark haunted ones, one of which already shows every seat taken. For rides past the state line, see our map of Halloween train rides across all 50 states.

The state splits neatly in two. North Jersey has the Delaware River Railroad in Phillipsburg and the Black River & Western out of Flemington, both heading to pumpkin stops, plus a PG-13 haunted train at the Wild West City theme town near Stanhope. South Jersey belongs to the Woodstown Central, which runs three different Halloween trains from one station, and to a ride-on train at a Hammonton bowling center. The shore gets the cheapest scare in the region, a narrow gauge night loop inside Allaire State Park.

The short version

  • Pumpkin and costume rides: From Newark, the Black River & Western Pumpkin Train in Flemington is about an hour away and runs through Oct 25, while the Great Pumpkin Train in Phillipsburg is about 1 hour 10 minutes and keeps going through Sunday, Nov 1.
  • Philadelphia families have the shortest drives in the state: the Pumpkin Patch Flyer in Woodstown is about 40 minutes over the bridge and the DiDonato's Trick-or-Treat Train in Hammonton is about 45. DiDonato's says it sells out online often, so buy before you leave the house.
  • For an evening ride that stays gentle, the Trick-or-Treat Special leaves Woodstown at 6:00 PM on Fridays, Oct 23 and Oct 30, and the railroad promises no haunted-house scares.
  • Shore families in the Toms River area are about an hour from Hammonton, the closest pumpkin pick for them.
  • Haunted rides: North Jersey's real scare is Haunted Wild West City near Stanhope, about 50 minutes from Newark on Friday and Saturday nights through Oct 31. The park rates it PG-13, so it suits older kids.
  • The Salem Ghost Train in Woodstown, the storytelling option with ghost legends at a creekside grove, is about 40 minutes from Philadelphia, but as of Oct 14 the booking calendar shows every seat class sold out for Oct 16, 17 and 24.
  • The Haunted Halloween Express at Allaire State Park is about 20 minutes from Toms River and an hour from Newark, with tickets sold at the gate on Fridays and Saturdays through Oct 24.

The Whippany Railway Museum pumpkin train already finished its October dates.

Watercolor of a red train car on a cliffside track heading into a dark tunnel
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Look inside the book

A dark tunnel, a brave corgi. Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi rides into a dark tunnel, gets a little scared, and comes out to a big bright light and happy cheers. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to a New Jersey pumpkin train.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Compare every New Jersey Halloween train side by side

Every ride on this page in one table: type, dates left, the lowest posted ticket price, ride length, who it suits and whether tickets are still on sale. Tap a ride for the full details.

RideTypeDates leftTicketsLengthBest forStatus
The Great Pumpkin Train on Delaware River Railroad ExcursionsPhillipsburgPumpkin and costumeOct 17 to Nov 1 (6 dates)From $152 hoursAll ages, toddlers welcomeOn sale
Pumpkin Train on the Black River & Western RailroadFlemingtonPumpkin and costumeOct 17 to Oct 25 (4 dates)From $16.99Not postedAll ages, toddlers welcomeOn sale
Pumpkin Patch Flyer on the Woodstown Central RailroadWoodstownPumpkin and costumeOct 17 to Oct 25 (4 dates)From $35About 1 hourAll ages, toddlers welcomeOn sale
Trick-or-Treat Special on the Woodstown Central RailroadWoodstownPumpkin and costumeOct 23 to Oct 30 (2 dates)From $351 hourAll ages, toddlers welcomeOn sale
Salem Ghost Train with the Salem County Historical SocietyWoodstownHauntedOct 16 to Oct 24 (3 dates)From $35About 2 hoursOlder kids who like spookySold out
Haunted Wild West City Train Ride and Walking TrailStanhopeHauntedOct 16 to Oct 31 (6 dates)From $30About 15 minutesOlder kids who like spookyOn sale
Haunted Halloween Express on the Pine Creek RailroadWall TownshipHauntedOct 16 to Oct 24 (4 dates)From $7.50Not postedOlder kids who like spookyOn sale
Trick-or-Treat Train at DiDonato Family Fun CenterHammontonPumpkin and costumeOct 17 to Oct 25 (4 dates)From $18.95Not postedAll ages, toddlers welcomeOn sale

The rest of October at a glance

When each New Jersey Halloween train still runs

Oct 14Oct 21Oct 31

Pumpkin and costume ride Haunted ride Halloween night

New Jersey Halloween train calendar: what runs which day

Every remaining date for every ride on this page, from today through Halloween weekend. Green is a gentle pumpkin and costume ride, blue is a haunted ride. Tap a ride to jump to its details.

Phillipsburg: The Great Pumpkin Train on Delaware River Railroad Excursions

Next: Sat Oct 17Best for: All ages, toddlers welcomeFrom $152 hoursDates left: Oct 17 to Nov 1

In October, every train out of Phillipsburg is the Great Pumpkin Train, so any weekend departure includes the pumpkin stop. The train runs along the Delaware River and pauses at a patch in front of the Carpentersville Lime Kilns, which the railroad dates to before the Revolutionary War. Every child picks a free pumpkin there.

If you book the Full Adventure option, the train also stops at Snyders Station for nearly two hours, with a picnic grove and free giant games. Gem panning ($6) and a dinosaur-themed corn maze ($5) cost extra. This is also one of the few Jersey rides still running on Sunday, Nov 1.

The Great Pumpkin Train on Delaware River Railroad Excursions at a glance

Type
Pumpkin and costume ride: Daytime pumpkin train, not scary
Dates left
Sat Oct 17, Sun Oct 18, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25, Sat Oct 31 and Sun Nov 1
Tickets
No sold-out dates posted as of Oct 14
Times
Weekends at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM
Ride length
Scenic round trip along the Delaware River; the Full Adventure option adds a Snyders Station stop of nearly 2 hours
What's included
A free pumpkin for every child at the Lime Kilns patch stop; Full Adventure adds the Snyders Station picnic grove and giant games. Gem panning ($6) and a dinosaur corn maze ($5) are add-ons
Price
About $21 for adults and $15 for children; exact prices show at booking
Ages and scare level
No minimum age stated; a family fall ride, not scary
Costumes
The railroad has not posted costume rules; check the operator site No costume? The Rally tunnel tee counts.
Strollers
No stroller policy posted; check the operator site
Parking
Not posted; check the operator site
Where
Delaware River Railroad Excursions station, 38 Market St, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865

Tickets on the railroad’s site (opens in a new tab)

Flemington: Pumpkin Train on the Black River & Western Railroad

Next: Sat Oct 17Best for: All ages, toddlers welcomeFrom $16.99Dates left: Oct 17 to Oct 25

The train ride itself is short. The main event is about an hour at Everitt Farms, a stop the railroad calls Pumpkin Junction, with a 6-acre pumpkin patch, a corn maze, a kids' corn box, a straw-bale maze, wagon rides, a petting zoo and a live DJ. Entry to the patch is included, but pumpkins cost extra.

A few rules from the railroad worth knowing: strollers and baby car seats are not recommended because space on board is limited, and pets are not allowed (service animals are fine). Flemington Station has no restrooms, so the stop is the portable toilets at Everitt Farms. Trains leave at 10:00 AM, 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM, and the Sunday, Oct 11 trains were canceled for weather.

Pumpkin Train on the Black River & Western Railroad at a glance

Type
Pumpkin and costume ride: Daytime pumpkin farm train, not scary
Dates left
Sat Oct 17, Sun Oct 18, Sat Oct 24 and Sun Oct 25
Tickets
All three departures on Oct 17, 18, 24 and 25 were bookable as of Oct 14; none sold out
Times
10:00 AM, 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM each day
Ride length
A short train ride to Everitt Farms plus about an hour at the farm
What's included
Round trip from Flemington, entry to the 6-acre pumpkin patch (pumpkins extra), corn maze, kids' corn box, straw-bale maze, wagon rides, petting zoo, music and games with a live DJ
Price
Coach: adults (12+) $22.99, children (3 to 11) $16.99
Ages and scare level
No minimum age stated; a family fall ride, not scary
Costumes
The railroad has not posted costume rules; check the operator site
Strollers
Not recommended, per the railroad; strollers and baby car seats take up limited space on board
Parking
Not posted; check the operator site
Where
Flemington Station, 80 Stangl Rd, Flemington, NJ 08822

Tickets on the railroad’s site (opens in a new tab)

Woodstown: Pumpkin Patch Flyer on the Woodstown Central Railroad

Next: Sat Oct 17Best for: All ages, toddlers welcomeFrom $35About 1 hourDates left: Oct 17 to Oct 25

This one covers about 18 miles round trip through Salem County farmland: a 30-minute ride out, about 45 minutes at Fenwick Grove along Fenwick Creek, then 30 minutes back. Kids take home a pumpkin and play fall games at the grove, and if the schedule holds, steam locomotive No. 9 is on the front.

The railroad's two pages disagree on one detail: the event page said cider and donuts at the grove cost extra, while the booking page lists cider and a donut with the pumpkin, so check the operator site. The train is not wheelchair accessible. Restrooms are at the station and on board, which matters on a ride close to two hours long.

Pumpkin Patch Flyer on the Woodstown Central Railroad at a glance

Type
Pumpkin and costume ride: Daytime pumpkin train, family friendly
Dates left
Sat Oct 17, Sun Oct 18, Sat Oct 24 and Sun Oct 25
Tickets
As of Oct 14, coach and open-air seats were open at 10:00 AM, 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM on Oct 17, 18, 24 and 25; caboose seats were down to a few departures and the Deluxe Table Car showed none
Times
10:00 AM, 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM
Ride length
About 1 hour 45 minutes: 30 minutes each way plus about 45 minutes at Fenwick Grove
What's included
A pumpkin to take home, fall games and activities at Fenwick Grove, about 18 scenic miles round trip, and steam locomotive No. 9 when it runs as scheduled. Whether cider and a donut are included differs between the railroad's pages, so check the operator site
Price
From $35
Ages and scare level
No minimum age stated; the railroad calls it family friendly
Costumes
The railroad has not posted costume rules for this ride; check the operator site
Strollers
No stroller policy posted; check the operator site
Parking
Free parking on site
Where
South Woodstown Station, 650 Alloway-Woodstown Rd, Woodstown, NJ 08098

Tickets on the railroad’s site (opens in a new tab)

Woodstown: Trick-or-Treat Special on the Woodstown Central Railroad

Next: Fri Oct 23Best for: All ages, toddlers welcomeFrom $351 hourDates left: Oct 23 to Oct 30

The train leaves at 6:00 PM, so most of this 90-minute trip happens in the dark, but the railroad says there are no haunted-house scares or intense scare tactics. That is why we list it with the gentle rides. The payoff is an actual trick-or-treat walk at Fenwick Grove, and every child gets a trick-or-treat bag with candy and Halloween treats.

Costumes are encouraged as long as they are family friendly and let your child climb aboard and move around safely, so skip the long capes and floor-length gowns. Child tickets cover ages 4 to 12, and there is a separate toddler ticket for ages 0 to 3.

Trick-or-Treat Special on the Woodstown Central Railroad at a glance

Type
Pumpkin and costume ride: Evening trick-or-treat train, operator says no scares
Dates left
Fri Oct 23 and Fri Oct 30
Tickets
Both Fridays bookable as of Oct 14 in coach, open-air gondola, first-class and deluxe cars; caboose seats show for Oct 30 only
Times
Departs 6:00 PM
Ride length
1 hour 30 minutes
What's included
Evening round trip, a trick-or-treating stop at Fenwick Grove, a trick-or-treat bag with candy and Halloween treats
Price
From $35; child (4 to 12) and toddler (0 to 3) tickets are offered
Ages and scare level
All ages; the railroad says no haunted-house scares or intense scare tactics
Costumes
Encouraged; they must be family friendly and let guests board and move safely
Strollers
No stroller policy posted; check the operator site
Parking
Free parking on site
Where
South Woodstown Station, 650 Alloway-Woodstown Rd, Woodstown, NJ 08098

Tickets on the railroad’s site (opens in a new tab)

Woodstown: Salem Ghost Train with the Salem County Historical Society

Next: Fri Oct 16Best for: Older kids who like spookyFrom $35About 2 hoursDates left: Oct 16 to Oct 24

This is a night ride on Salem County's first railroad line, built in 1863, with storytellers from the Salem County Historical Society telling local ghost legends outdoors at Fenwick Grove. We list it as haunted because it is meant to feel spooky, but the railroad describes it as family friendly, with no haunted-house jump scares and no actors chasing guests.

It is a long evening, about two and a half hours from a 6:30 PM departure, with a short walk over grass and uneven ground in low light. The bigger problem this year: as of Oct 14, the booking calendar shows every seat class sold out for all three remaining nights, so unless seats are released, put it on next October's list.

Salem Ghost Train with the Salem County Historical Society at a glance

Type
Haunted ride: Night ghost story train, no jump scares per the railroad
Dates left
Fri Oct 16, Sat Oct 17 and Sat Oct 24
Tickets
Sold out: as of Oct 14 the booking calendar shows every seat class sold out for Oct 16, 17 and 24
Times
Departs 6:30 PM
Ride length
About 2 hours 30 minutes, an 18-mile round trip
What's included
Nighttime round trip on the 1863 line, live ghost stories and local legends told at Fenwick Grove
Price
From $35
Ages and scare level
No minimum age stated; the railroad calls it family friendly with a spooky atmosphere but no jump scares or chasing actors
Costumes
No costume rules posted; check the operator site
Strollers
No stroller policy posted; the walk at the grove is over grass and uneven ground in low light
Parking
Free parking on site
Where
South Woodstown Station, 650 Alloway-Woodstown Rd, Woodstown, NJ 08098

Tickets on the railroad’s site (opens in a new tab)

Stanhope: Haunted Wild West City Train Ride and Walking Trail

Next: Fri Oct 16Best for: Older kids who like spookyFrom $30About 15 minutesDates left: Oct 16 to Oct 31

Wild West City is an Old West theme town with its own train, and on Friday and Saturday nights in October the park turns it into a scare event. A U.S. Marshal climbs aboard carrying the cursed Sacred Bone Dice, and actors stage a chase through the town around the cars. After a train ride of about 15 minutes comes a haunted walking trail of about 10, all done within an hour of your entry slot.

The park rates it PG-13. Anyone may attend, but the operator itself suggests its daytime Spooky Wild West City for younger children, and that daytime program does not include the train. Leave toy guns and other weapons at home, even with a cowboy costume. Tickets are $30 online for kids and adults alike, or $35 at the door while a limited supply lasts.

Haunted Wild West City Train Ride and Walking Trail at a glance

Type
Haunted ride: Night haunted train and walking trail, operator rates it PG-13
Dates left
Fri Oct 16, Sat Oct 17, Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Fri Oct 30 and Sat Oct 31
Tickets
All 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 PM entry slots on the remaining dates were bookable as of Oct 14
Times
Fri and Sat 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM; entry slots at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 PM; last train 9:15 PM
Ride length
About 15 minutes on the train plus about 10 minutes on the walking trail, finished within an hour of your slot
What's included
Theatrical haunted train ride and a haunted walking trail
Price
$30 online, $35 at the door while limited tickets last; same price for adults and children
Ages and scare level
All ages may attend, but the park rates it PG-13, calls it a scare event and points younger kids to its daytime event
Costumes
Toy guns and weapons are not permitted; no other costume rules posted
Strollers
No stroller policy posted; check the operator site
Parking
Not posted; check the operator site
Where
Wild West City, 50 Lackawanna Drive, Stanhope, NJ 07874 (the park says it sits in Byram Township)

Tickets on the railroad’s site (opens in a new tab)

Wall Township: Haunted Halloween Express on the Pine Creek Railroad

Next: Fri Oct 16Best for: Older kids who like spookyFrom $7.50Dates left: Oct 16 to Oct 24

The New Jersey Museum of Transportation runs this small narrow gauge railroad inside Allaire State Park, and in October the short night loop is billed as an escape from the "terrifying Allaire Woods." Trains leave every half hour in the evening, and the museum has not posted an age limit.

At $7.50 a person it is one of the cheapest haunted rides in the region, but note that the price and the rule that tickets go on sale at 6:00 PM on the night come from the 2025 terms. It runs weather permitting, so check the museum's posts before you drive.

Haunted Halloween Express on the Pine Creek Railroad at a glance

Type
Haunted ride: Night haunted narrow gauge ride, no age limit posted
Dates left
Fri Oct 16, Sat Oct 17, Fri Oct 23 and Sat Oct 24
Tickets
Tickets sold at the gate on the night, weather permitting; confirm on the operator site
Times
Every half hour from about 6:30 or 7:00 PM until 9:30 PM
Ride length
A short narrow gauge loop
What's included
Not posted beyond the ride; check the operator site
Price
$7.50 per person, sold on the night starting at 6:00 PM (2025 terms; confirm for 2026)
Ages and scare level
No age limit posted; billed as escaping the terrifying Allaire Woods
Costumes
No costume rules posted; check the operator site
Strollers
No stroller policy posted; check the operator site
Parking
Not posted; check the operator site
Where
Pine Creek Railroad, Allaire State Park, 4265 Atlantic Ave, Wall Township, NJ 07727

Tickets on the railroad’s site (opens in a new tab)

Hammonton: Trick-or-Treat Train at DiDonato Family Fun Center

Next: Sat Oct 17Best for: All ages, toddlers welcomeFrom $18.95Dates left: Oct 17 to Oct 25

This is an outdoor ride-on train at a bowling center, not a full-size railroad. It loops through a "goblin-friendly" Halloween town with five trick-or-treat stops, and the ticket also covers a Halloween corn maze, a pumpkin from the patch, a visit with the Local Witch and the Warlock, a giant slide, a 40-foot inflatable obstacle course and one free game of bowling with shoes.

Entry is timed every 15 minutes. The center says it sells out online often, and if it does, there are no tickets at the door. Babies 12 months and under get in free.

Trick-or-Treat Train at DiDonato Family Fun Center at a glance

Type
Pumpkin and costume ride: Daytime ride-on trick-or-treat train for little kids
Dates left
Sat Oct 17, Sun Oct 18, Sat Oct 24 and Sun Oct 25
Tickets
Not listed as sold out as of Oct 14, but the operator says it sells out online often and does not sell at the door when sold out
Times
Sat and Sun 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM, timed entry every 15 minutes; last admittance 3:15 PM
Ride length
Train loop through the Halloween town, plus open play; total time not posted
What's included
Train ride with 5 trick-or-treat stops, Halloween corn maze, meet the Local Witch and the Warlock, a pumpkin from the patch, giant slide, 40-foot inflatable obstacle course, one free game of bowling and shoe rental
Price
$18.95 per person online, $22.95 at the door if any remain; 12 months and under free
Ages and scare level
Made for little kids; the operator calls it goblin friendly
Costumes
Encouraged; family friendly only, with no gore, weapons or face-covering masks
Strollers
No stroller policy posted; check the operator site
Parking
Not posted; check the operator site
Where
DiDonato Family Fun Center, 1151 S White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037

Tickets on the railroad’s site (opens in a new tab)

Already wrapped for 2026

  • Pumpkin Patch Train, Whippany Railway Museum, Whippany: Ran Oct 4, 10 and 11 this year and is done for 2026; the museum plans to bring it back in 2027.

Rally’s Spooky Train Ride: Halloween shirts

The tunnel page from the book, Rally on his red seat in the dark, is printed on black shirts in sizes for the whole family, from baby to 5XL. Skip the costume hassle: no masks to fog up, no capes caught in the train door, just a shirt that already says Halloween and layers under a coat on a cold platform. A matching set makes for easy pumpkin train photos. See everything in the Rally shop.

Drive Times to Each New Jersey Halloween Train From Newark, Philadelphia and Toms River

These times are rough estimates with no traffic, and the Turnpike and Parkway on an October Saturday rarely cooperate, so leave early.

Drive times, no traffic

Phillipsburg
about 1 hr 10 min from Newark; about 1 hr 30 min from Philadelphia; about 1 hr 45 min from Toms River
Flemington
about 1 hr from Newark; about 1 hr 15 min from Philadelphia; about 1 hr 15 min from Toms River
Woodstown
about 2 hr from Newark; about 40 min from Philadelphia; about 1 hr 30 min from Toms River
Woodstown
about 2 hr from Newark; about 40 min from Philadelphia; about 1 hr 30 min from Toms River
Woodstown
about 2 hr from Newark; about 40 min from Philadelphia; about 1 hr 30 min from Toms River
Stanhope
about 50 min from Newark; about 1 hr 50 min from Philadelphia; about 1 hr 30 min from Toms River
Wall Township
about 1 hr from Newark; about 1 hr 20 min from Philadelphia; about 20 min from Toms River
Hammonton
about 1 hr 50 min from Newark; about 45 min from Philadelphia; about 1 hr from Toms River

Small Jersey Railroad Rules That Change Your Day

  • DiDonato's in Hammonton says it sells out online often, and when it does there are no tickets at the door, so buy the timed entry before you load the car. Last admittance is 3:15 PM.
  • The Black River & Western in Flemington does not recommend strollers or baby car seats because space on board is limited, and Flemington Station has no restrooms (Everitt Farms has portable toilets). Bring a carrier, and remember pumpkins at the farm cost extra.
  • Woodstown Central has free parking on site and restrooms at the station and on board, but the trains are not wheelchair accessible. Its pages disagree on whether cider and a donut come with the Pumpkin Patch Flyer, so check the operator site.
  • At Allaire, the Pine Creek Railroad sold tickets on the night starting at 6:00 PM last year, so bring cash or a card and arrive early on Saturdays. It runs weather permitting.
  • Costume rules are strictest at DiDonato's: no gore, no weapons and no face-covering masks. The Woodstown Trick-or-Treat Special asks for costumes kids can board and move in safely.
  • Adding Snyders Station to the Phillipsburg trip means nearly two extra hours, so pack lunch for the picnic grove and plan naps around it.
  • Haunted Wild West City is $30 online and only a limited number of $35 tickets are held for the door, so book a 6:30, 7:30 or 8:30 PM slot ahead. Toy guns stay home, even with a cowboy costume.

Ghost Stories by the Creek or a Night Loop Through Allaire Woods: Which One Can a Preschooler Handle?

The gentlest Jersey picks are all daytime: the Great Pumpkin Train in Phillipsburg, the Flemington run to Pumpkin Junction, the Pumpkin Patch Flyer and the DiDonato's ride-on train, which the operator calls goblin friendly. If you want an after-dark ride for a little one, the Woodstown Trick-or-Treat Special is the safe bet, since the railroad rules out haunted-house scares and intense scare tactics.

The three haunted rides are very different. Haunted Wild West City is the one built to frighten: the park rates it PG-13, actors chase through the Old West town, and the operator itself sends younger kids to its daytime event. The Salem Ghost Train has no jump scares or chasing actors, per the railroad, but it runs two and a half hours at night (and is sold out this year anyway). The Pine Creek loop is short and cheap but sells itself on the terrifying woods, and the museum posts no age guidance. For a nervous preschooler, try something like "the woods are dark, but the train lights are on, and the storyteller is a person telling a pretend story."

Watercolor view from inside a dark tunnel looking out at a sunny beach and cliffs
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

There is a moment in our book when the train slips into a tunnel and Rally cannot see a thing. Then his big ears pick up happy cheers, a bright light shows up ahead, and the train comes out beside cliffs and the sea. I think about that page with the Salem Ghost Train, where the dark is the whole point and the lit-up grove is waiting at the other end. Before you go, color a tunnel page from our free Rally coloring sheets together.

My mom imagined Rally's whole journey before I ever wrote it, and how her story became our book is one I love telling.

Jersey Weather in Late October, From the Delaware Hills to the Shore

Expect October afternoons in the 60s, sliding into the 50s by Halloween, with nights in the 40s. The daytime pumpkin trains in Phillipsburg, Flemington, Woodstown and Hammonton usually need just a fleece. The 6:00 and 6:30 PM departures in Woodstown and the Allaire night loop are another matter: sunset comes around 6:30 PM in mid October, so those trains ride in full dark, and after the clocks change on Nov 1 it gets dark closer to 5:50 PM.

Where you ride matters too. The North Jersey hill country around Flemington and Phillipsburg runs a few degrees colder than the South Jersey farmland around Woodstown and Hammonton, and Allaire State Park, near the shore, can turn breezy and damp at night. For the Salem Ghost Train, which keeps you outdoors at Fenwick Grove for the stories, dress kids like it is ten degrees colder than the forecast.

Pumpkin Trains Just Across the Delaware and the Hudson

From Trenton, the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware has a deep bench of gentle pumpkin trains, plus a haunted show in Lancaster County and a ghost story night at Kutztown, though New Hope, about 30 minutes across the river, has not posted 2026 Halloween dates. Dates for the rest are in our rundown of Pennsylvania's pumpkin and haunted trains.

North Jersey families are within about two hours of the Catskill and Hudson Valley pumpkin rides in New York, which make a good backup if Flemington and Phillipsburg do not fit your weekend. See our New York Halloween train guide for those.

A train book for the ride

For a big-train day with no costumes required, see our guides to the Northeast Regional with young kids and the Keystone Service as a family, both of which cross New Jersey.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. They fit in a folder with a few crayons for the line at the depot or the drive home.

Get the free coloring pages for Phillipsburg
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents, including one dark tunnel he is brave enough to ride through. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Sources

Checked against each railroad’s own pages and ticket calendars on October 14, 2026. Dates, prices and policies change, so confirm with the railroad before you go.

New Jersey Halloween Train Questions, From Phillipsburg to Hammonton

What Halloween events are there for kids in Phillipsburg, New Jersey?

One family Halloween event in Phillipsburg is the Great Pumpkin Train from Delaware River Railroad Excursions, a gentle daytime ride along the river on Oct 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31 and Nov 1. Trains leave at 10:00 AM, noon, 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM, and every child picks a free pumpkin at a patch beside the Carpentersville Lime Kilns. Fares run about $21 for adults and $15 for children.

Is there anything to do for Halloween with kids in Flemington, NJ?

Yes. Flemington's Halloween train is the Black River & Western Pumpkin Train, a gentle daytime trip to Everitt Farms on Oct 17, 18, 24 and 25, with trains at 10:00 AM, 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM. Families spend about an hour at the farm, with a 6-acre patch, petting zoo, corn maze, wagon rides and a live DJ. Coach fares are $22.99 for ages 12 and up and $16.99 for ages 3 to 11, and pumpkins cost extra.

What Halloween train rides run in Woodstown, New Jersey this October?

Woodstown Central runs three. The Pumpkin Patch Flyer is a gentle daytime ride on Oct 17, 18, 24 and 25 with a pumpkin to take home. The Trick-or-Treat Special leaves at 6:00 PM on Oct 23 and 30 for a no-scares candy walk at Fenwick Grove. The Salem Ghost Train, a spookier night ride with local ghost stories, showed every seat sold out for Oct 16, 17 and 24 as of October 14. Fares start from $35, with free parking.

Are there Halloween events for older kids in Stanhope, NJ?

One Halloween event for older kids near Stanhope is Haunted Wild West City, a night train ride and haunted walking trail at the Old West theme town on Fridays and Saturdays through Oct 31. Entry slots are 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 PM, and tickets are $30 online. A U.S. Marshal boards with cursed dice and actors stage a chase. The park rates it PG-13 and suggests its daytime event for younger children.

Are there Halloween events for families in Wall Township, New Jersey?

One option in Wall Township is the Haunted Halloween Express on the Pine Creek Railroad inside Allaire State Park, a short narrow gauge night loop on Oct 16, 17, 23 and 24. Trains leave every half hour from about 6:30 or 7:00 PM until 9:30 PM. Last year tickets were $7.50 at the gate. It is billed as an escape from the terrifying Allaire Woods, with no posted age limit.

What is there to do for Halloween in Hammonton, NJ with little kids?

One pick for little kids in Hammonton is the Trick-or-Treat Train at DiDonato Family Fun Center, an outdoor ride-on train through a goblin-friendly Halloween town with five treat stops. It runs Oct 17, 18, 24 and 25 with timed entry from 11:30 AM. The $18.95 online ticket also covers a corn maze, a pumpkin, a giant slide, an inflatable course and a free game of bowling.

Is there a pumpkin patch train in Phillipsburg, New Jersey?

Yes. Throughout October, every Delaware River Railroad Excursions train out of Phillipsburg stops at a pumpkin patch in a glade in front of the Carpentersville Lime Kilns, and every child takes home a free pumpkin. The railroad says the kilns date to before the Revolutionary War. Remaining dates are the weekends of Oct 17 to 18, Oct 24 to 25 and Oct 31 to Nov 1.

Does the Flemington pumpkin train go to a real pumpkin patch?

It does. The Black River & Western runs to Everitt Farms, which the railroad calls Pumpkin Junction, and riders get about an hour there. Admission to the 6-acre pumpkin patch is included, but you pay for any pumpkins you pick. The farm stop also has a corn maze, a straw-bale maze, a kids' corn box, wagon rides and a petting zoo. The last dates are Oct 24 and 25.

What Halloween events for kids are near Newark, New Jersey?

The closest Halloween train to Newark is Haunted Wild West City near Stanhope, about 50 minutes away, but the park rates it PG-13. For younger kids, the Black River & Western Pumpkin Train in Flemington is a gentle daytime farm ride through Oct 25, about an hour away. The Great Pumpkin Train in Phillipsburg, about 1 hour 10 minutes away, runs weekends through Nov 1 with a free pumpkin for every child.

Which New Jersey Halloween trains are closest to Philadelphia?

Woodstown is closest, about 40 minutes from Philadelphia. Its gentle Pumpkin Patch Flyer runs Oct 17, 18, 24 and 25, and the no-scares Trick-or-Treat Special runs the evenings of Oct 23 and 30, though the spookier Salem Ghost Train there was sold out as of October 14. DiDonato's Trick-or-Treat Train in Hammonton, about 45 minutes away, is a ride-on train for little kids on the same two weekends.

Halloween things to do with kids near Toms River and the Jersey Shore?

The closest Halloween train to Toms River is the Pine Creek Railroad Haunted Halloween Express at Allaire State Park, about 20 minutes away, a short haunted night loop on Oct 16, 17, 23 and 24. For a gentle daytime option, DiDonato's Trick-or-Treat Train in Hammonton is about an hour away and runs Oct 17, 18, 24 and 25. Flemington's Pumpkin Train is about 1 hour 15 minutes north.

Can kids wear costumes on the DiDonato's Trick-or-Treat Train in Hammonton?

Yes, costumes are encouraged, but DiDonato Family Fun Center keeps them family friendly. The operator rules out gore, weapons and masks that cover the face, so a superhero mask over the eyes is a safer bet than a full rubber mask. With five treat stops on the train ride plus a corn maze and an inflatable course, a costume your child can climb and run in works best.

Is the Salem Ghost Train in Woodstown too scary for a toddler?

It is probably more tiring than scary for a toddler. The railroad says there are no haunted-house jump scares and no actors chasing guests, just local ghost legends told outdoors at Fenwick Grove. But it leaves at 6:30 PM and lasts about two and a half hours, mostly in the dark. As of October 14 every seat was sold out anyway, and the Trick-or-Treat Special from the same station is the easier evening for under-fives.

Can I still get tickets for a New Jersey Halloween train this weekend?

Mostly yes, as of October 14, with one exception: the Salem Ghost Train in Woodstown shows every seat sold out for Friday and Saturday. Flemington had seats at all three Saturday and Sunday times, the Pumpkin Patch Flyer had coach and open-air seats, Phillipsburg posted no sold-out dates, and Haunted Wild West City had every Friday and Saturday slot open. DiDonato's in Hammonton warns it sells out online often, and Pine Creek sells at the gate.

Are strollers allowed on the Black River & Western Pumpkin Train?

The railroad does not recommend them. Black River & Western says strollers and baby car seats are not recommended because space on board is limited. A baby carrier or hip seat is the easier choice, especially since you will walk around Everitt Farms for about an hour. None of the other Jersey railroads in our research posted a stroller policy, so check the operator site before you go.

Do you buy Pine Creek Railroad Haunted Halloween Express tickets ahead or at Allaire?

Under the 2025 terms, tickets were sold on the night at Allaire State Park starting at 6:00 PM, at $7.50 per person. The museum had not confirmed 2026 terms in our research, so check the operator site. Trains leave every half hour until 9:30 PM on Oct 16, 17, 23 and 24, and the ride runs weather permitting, so look for a cancellation post before you go.

Is there a New Jersey Halloween train at night that is not scary for young kids?

Yes, the Woodstown Central Trick-or-Treat Special. It leaves South Woodstown Station at 6:00 PM on Fridays, Oct 23 and Oct 30, and the railroad says there are no haunted-house scares or intense scare tactics. The 90-minute trip ends in a trick-or-treat walk at Fenwick Grove, and kids get a bag of candy and treats. Toddlers 0 to 3 have their own ticket type.

Kelsey Cecil
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