NJ’s Best & Safest Towns for Trick-or-Treating

Experience has taught me: smaller houses, tighter neighborhoods, solid lighting, and a safe town vibe make all the difference when it comes to trick-or-treating — both for kids and us adults tagging along!

Growing up in Mays Landing (home of one of the best Halloween Parades in the state), I remember the houses in our neighborhood were on 1/4-acre lots or smaller. Fast forward to taking our kids out for Halloween, and we were covering half-acre properties. That’s when I learned: smaller lots = less walking = more candy. (Math that really matters on Halloween night!)

After some serious online digging and combining it with my personal NJ know-how, here’s my list of New Jersey’s best bets for a safe, fun, and candy-loaded Halloween night!

️ Towns That Bring the Magic:

️ Lambertville, Hunterdon County
All-out Halloween vibes! Decorations, lights, and super walkable streets. Just magical.

Haddonfield, Camden County
Charming Victorian homes + safe residential blocks = the ultimate spooky stroll.

Haddon Heights, Camden County
House after house after house… and most are giving out treats!

Westfield, Union County
THE go-to spot in Union County. Dudley Avenue is where the action’s at — plan ahead!

Alpine, Bergen County
Way up north and totally worth it. Expect big homes, big lots, and yup… full-size candy bars.

Chester, Morris County
Small town charm, crisp fall air, and amazing trick-or-treating energy.

️ Madison, Morris County
Vintage homes and a classic Halloween vibe… but heads up — lots of hills!

Maplewood, Essex County
Maplewood Ave is the go-to street. Hit downtown, then hit the neighborhoods.

Bordentown, Burlington County
Thompson Street decorations = WOW. Nearly every house is participating, but it gets busy fast!

Toms River, Ocean County
They host one of NJ’s best Halloween parades — it’s a full-on event!

Hackensack, Bergen County
Check out Halloween Highway on Clinton Place. It’s a full-blown spectacle!

Monroe Township, Gloucester County
Chestnut Green has a haunted house AND full-size candy bars. Need I say more?

Pitman, Gloucester County
Charming town with lots of small Victorian homes and candy-packed blocks. So much fun!

North Wildwood, Cape May County
Usually known for its summer vibes, but their trunk-or-treat event is fantastic!

️ Montclair, Essex County
Big homes, tight-knit streets, and creative decor make this a candy goldmine.

Special Mention:

️ Cape May City, Cape May County
Historic Victorian homes, twinkling lights, top-tier landscaping — walking through Cape May on Halloween is as magical as being there in the summer!

‍♀️ Before You Go…

Make sure to:

• ✅ Check the town’s official trick-or-treat times and dates

• ☂️ Look at the weather forecast

• Scout out parking

• Bring flashlights and stay visible!

New Jersey is packed with charming, safe, and spirited towns that go all out for Halloween. So lace up your comfiest walking shoes, grab a costume, and go make some candy memories!