New Jersey is one of the best states in the nation to celebrate Halloween. The Garden State has a rich haunted history and an abundance of seasonal events. We may not have Salem, but we do have seven towns that go above and beyond to make the holiday as delightfully spooky as can be. They're listed below, in no particular order.

1. Asbury Park

This quirky shore town kicks off the Halloween season with a massive zombie walk (now in its 10th year), and things only get spookier from there. Paranormal Books & Curiosities hosts a series of ghost walks including a tour of Paramount Theater by flashlight and a candle ritual tour designed to merge the gap between the realms of the living and the dead. Visit on the 27th for a free screening of classic vampire film, The Lost Boys. On October 31st, the town will be hosting its first ever trunk or treat celebration.

2. Jackson

Jackson, New Jersey may be best known for Fright Fest at Six Flags but that's not all it offers. With its impressive stage shows and wide variety of haunted attractions, it should not be missed but there are plenty of scares lurking nearby. Nightmare at Gravity Hill offers over a dozen different spooky scenes/settings spread out over 5 acres, with 35 minutes of chilling walkable trails. Also in Jackson is Dracula's Domain, a haunted attraction with three different thrills. Choose between a haunted hayride, the psycho path or the dead end corn maze...or, choose all three.

3. Bordentown

Bordentown really gets into the Halloween Spirit. Each year, it hosts a parade, home decorating contest and scarecrow contest. The parade has been a tradition for over four decades! The best decorations can often be found on Thompson Street (neighbors come together with an annual theme), though residents throughout town light up the night with eerie scenes.

4. Hackensack

When it comes to Halloween decorations, though, I'd have to say Hackensack reigns supreme. Clinton Place is the place to be each October, when residents spend hours (and thousands of dollars) creating the most incredible displays, raising money for charity. Previous displays have included actual planes and an authentic hearse. Decorations have dwindled, following a vandalism incident several years ago, but this is one tradition I'd really like to see kept alive. In addition to the decorations, the local library will be hosting a spooky carnival with games, face painting and more on October 20th.

5. Chester

Chester is all about family-friendly fall fun and little scares for the little ones. You won't be running for your life here, but you can enjoy a wide variety of attractions at Alstede Farms. Halloween events include harvest moon hayrides and a night time corn maze. You'll certainly want to stop at the ice cream stand while you're here, for mouthwatering flavors including pumpkin pie and apple cider donut.The town features several other farms (Riamede, Stony Hill, Hacklebarney) that offer autumn adventures, but for more Halloween fun, head to the Cooper Gristmill on October 28th. There will be costumes, creepy crafts, spooky story telling and more.

6. Lambertville

If the photo above freaks you out, you'll love Lambertville during the Halloween season. Creepy decorations can be found all over town, with the eerie epicenter along North Union Street. The town also hosts a zombie walk on October 28th, which begins at River Horse Brewery and ends at Bucks County Playhouse (across the river in New Hope). There will also be costumed races on October 30th, a Halloween parade on the 29th and performances of Bram Stoker's Dracula at the Canal Studio Theater beginning on October 20th. The town's seasonal transformation has been captured in a documentary, Halloweenville.

7. Cape May

This shore resort ranks among the most haunted towns in the country, so you can be sure it shines during the Halloween season. There's so much to do here, you could easily spend a weekend. Start with a Ghosts of Cape May Trolley Tour or Historic Haunts House Tour. Then, check out the Dept. 56 Halloween exhibit. You'll also find murder mystery dinners, a seance and scarecrow alley at the Physick Estate.Want more? Cape May has got you covered. Special Tea & Confessions events will discuss Lizzie Borden and Typhoid Mary. The town hosts a Halloween parade on October 22nd and Elaine's Dinner Theater will be putting on a production of Young Dracula.

Elaine's will also be hosting a Ghost Hunter's Weekend on Friday, October 13th. You can learn more about that here. What other New Jersey towns go all out for Halloween? Let us know in the comments.