Now’s the Time to Take a Trip to Salem County (Part 1)
If you’re looking for a fun day trip idea, I would like to suggest taking a trip down to Salem County. I took a tour of the area to give you an idea of some of the things that you can do and see while visiting the area. There’s plenty of family friendly, couple friendly, and adventure seeking activities in this great Southwest county.
For part one of this two part article, I’m going to focus on fun things you can do that are family friendly.
Salem County has plenty of rich farmland and agriculture, and one farm I stopped at was Coombs Barnyard (20 Route 77, Elmer). The barnyard is run by sisters Jennifer Coombs-Kelly and Amanda Coombs-Shimp, who are the ninth generation on the family farm.
Coombs Barnyard hosts a variety of family fun events throughout the season (April to October) including Flashlight Friday(a corn maze in the dark that is not scary), Barnyard Bashes (an open house style event with hayrides, pumpkin picking, barrel train rides, and visiting with the animals), and more.
During my visit I got to meet and greet the animals which included goats, sheep, and a donkey.
Continuing on with family fun in Salem County, Appel Farm (457 Shirley Road, Elmer, NJ). Since its founding, “Appel Farm has evolved into a major nonprofit regional arts center with diverse facilities. Appel Farm believes that the arts are an exciting and essential part of the learning process and that artistic talent is innate and waiting to be developed in every person.”
While visiting Appel Farm I got to participate in a DIY art class which involved glass, paint, and fire. It was a lot of fun!
In addition to their education programs, Appel Farms has events that are open to the public such as the South Jersey Arts Festival, an Earth Day celebration, and family camping weekends.
Looking for a trip to the old West? Look no further than Cowtown Rodeo (780 Harding Highway, Pilesgrove) a family run business founded in 1929. Every Saturday night from May through September, guests can experience seven pro-rodeo events including bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, girls’ barrel racing, team roping, and tie down roping. Cowtown Rodeo is the longest running weekly rodeo in the country!
Cowtown also has a twice-weekly, year round, indoor and outdoor farmers and flea market which has been operating since 1926. The flea market features outdoor and heated indoor facilities showcasing 400+ vendors.
And of course I must mention the Salem County Fairgrounds (735 Harding Highway, Woodstown) which holds special events and festivals year round. Two of their most popular events include the Salem County Fair, a four day “old fashioned” county fair, held every August and the South Jersey Pumpkin Show. The Salem County is a FREE event that has been around since 1959.
“With a rich legacy of historical places and events, a vast array of natural resources and open spaces, a stable farming community, and a strong economic job base, Salem County offers a very unique quality of life. Nestled in the southwest corner of New Jersey, Salem County is within easy driving distance of Philadelphia, New York, Wilmington, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Atlantic City. Leave the urban sprawl behind, get away for a day or a weekend to the scenic landscapes, living history and lively arts of Salem County. Whether you plan to spend the day discovering Salem County’s many historic sites, exploring our natural wonders, or enjoying the diverse culture of our community, we have something waiting for you. The hospitality you’ll receive makes staying another day or two an easy choice.” – Visit South Jersey
For additional information be sure to visit Visit South Jersey and Discover Salem County.
