With cool autumn breezes and still sunny skies, the first weeks of fall are a great time to get out of the city and get back to nature! Lucky for us, there are plenty of natural oases just a short drive away; kids can get up close and personal with some friendly farm animals, take a happy hayride through a festival pumpkin patch, marvel at the fall foliage at lush state parks, or head to a nearby amusement park for thrills and chills.
Down On The Farm
There’s just something magical about being at a farm during the fall months — kids can play with animals, help out with the farm’s daily duties, and enjoy the great outdoors. Some farms are great for day visits, while others even allow families to stay overnight or for a long weekend.
Sprout Creek Farms,
La Grange, New York
At Sprout Creek Farms in LaGrange, New York, rent the on-site
three-bedroom cottage and spend the day learning about cheese-making, visiting
farm animals, and taking leisurely nature walks along the scenic creek. %uFFFD
Turquoise Barn,
Bloomville, New York
Turquoise Barn, which is run by two artists from Brooklyn, invites families to
stay in the bed and breakfast or camp on their lush grounds—both allow you to
feast on their vegetarian, vegan, and raw food. You can also check out their chickens and vegetable gardens, and cycle on the
bike trail located across the street.
Verdant View,
Paradise, Pennsylvania
Verdant View is a 115-acre working dairy farm in Pennsylvania Dutch Country
where you can milk cows, bottle-feed baby calves, fish in their pond and enjoy
many other agro-themed activities.
White Post Farms: Melville, Long Island. A Long Island institution for four generations,
White Post Farms has tons of fun for animal lovers, including an indoor and outdoor animal farm,
a pony ride and a petting zoo. Your kids will be able to spot an American
Buffalo, a Tibetan Yak, a Grevy Zebra and an Oryx Antelope, among many other
new and exciting animals. Special Fall Fun: Families can also visit the farm every Saturday and
Sunday throughout October to celebrate the annual Fall Farm Festival. Children can take in the colorful Wild West skit “Rodeo Ricky in the City Slicker
Showdown!”, the
multitalented Davey the
Clown, The Pork Chop Review—an amusing display of pig talents—and much more! Parents will appreciate the festival’s host comic
Buddy Flip, as well as White Post’s gourmet flower and farm market and the
scenic Pond View Café.
Amuse Me
Head to Pennsylvania (or
New York) and
take your pick of landmark amusement parks. Walking around the park and waiting
in line is more pleasant in the crisp cool air, and chances are the parks won’t
be as crowded as in the warmer months. Just make sure to bring a few layers of
clothing in case the weather changes!
Great Wolf Lodge, Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania
Think the Poconos are only a winter destination? Think again! The Great Wolf
Lodge in the Pocono
Mountains
has so many family-focused attractions and activities, your kids will have a
tough time deciding what to do next! The resort boasts an expansive indoor
water park, a four-story interactive tree house and water fort, a
make-your-own-racecar room and much, much more.
Sesame Place, Langhorne, Pennsylvania
In addition to in-person sightings of Big Bird and the gang from Sesame
Street, Sesame
Place offers families over
two dozen exciting rides and special
events like shows and parades. The park remains open on weekends throughout the fall, with special events and parties to celebrate Halloween and other holidays. Click here for more information about upcoming events.%uFFFD
Hershey Park, Hershey, Pennsylvania
There’s something for everyone at this park, plus, enough chocolate to last a
lifetime! Hershey Park
boats tons of coasters, family rides, kiddie rides and live shows. Hershey Park also has tons of spooky, Halloween-themed rides, attractions and events during select weekends this fall! Click here for more details.
Crayola
Factory, Easton, Pennsylvania
Nurture your kids’ creative sides with a trip to the Crayola Factory, which
features dozens of interactive and hands-on exhibits (like the Inside Out wall,
which allows kids to paint a curved glass wall, or the Crayola Crayon
Manufacturing demonstration).
Park It In A State Park
Of course, the city boasts some of the most amazing parks and playgrounds around, and we heartily encourage you to take advantage of all the different parks, especially those in boroughs or neighborhoods you may not be familiar with. (click here for our guide to city parks.) However, NYC is also lucky enough to be surrounded by some truly amazing natural oases, both in state parks, natural reserves, reservations and historic towns. Great for exploring (whether it’s in an antique shop or out in the wilderness) these locations are perfect for fall, and are sure to inspire a few memorable photos, too!
The Delaware Water Gap, located just an hour and a half from the city, offers
families spectacular views of the%uFFFDAppalachian Mountains, as well as a wide variety of
physical activities for every skill level. The Middle Delaware is one of the
cleanest rivers around, so it’s perfect for rafting, canoeing, swimming, fishing
and more. If you’re more inclined to keep your feet on land, your family can
partake in scenic hikes and rock climbing—you can hike 27 miles of
the%uFFFDAppalachian
Trail%uFFFDwithin the park.
Kids will also love watching the massive watershed at work, and parents can
stroll through historic%uFFFDMillbook Village%uFFFDto revisit days gone by.
Bear Mountain State Park features a large
playing field, a pond, a zoo, hiking, biking and cross country ski trails. The Perkins Memorial Tower at the top of Bear Mountain affords breathtaking
views of the incredible natural surroundings, and kids will love the
Merry-Go-Round at the park, which features 42-hand-crafted nature-dwelling
creatures, like a black bear, a swan, a fox and even a skunk! The park also
boasts playgrounds, gift shops, boat rentals and a museum and visitor’s center.
Hyde Park, NY:
History buffs of all ages will
delight in a trip to this historic town. Not only is the drive to Hyde Park a
relaxing and scenic trip up the Hudson River, but the diverse attractions to
see when you get there ensure a fun-filled day of American history. Hyde Park boasts The Home of Franklin
D. Roosevelt (which houses “Springwood,” FDR’s lifelong home, as well as
The Presidential Library and Museum and Val-Kill Cottage, Eleanor
Roosevelt’s cottage and the only national monument dedicated to a first lady)
and the Vanderbilt Mansion. The picturesque historic sites and
fall foliage can also be captured in watercolors at the nearby Weir Farm. On Saturdays and Sundays free
watercolors will be available for budding artists and amateurs can be schooled
by a professional on Saturdays.
Robert Moses
State Park, LI. Located on the westernmost tip of Fire
Island, Robert Moses State
Park is one of the best
places for fishing and golfing this season. The park boasts five miles of ocean
beach complete with bath houses, countless picnic areas, a day-use boat basin
that can accommodate 40 boats and an 18-hole golf course. Kids will have a
blast playing on the specially equipped playground, checking out the beach shop
and fishing. Explore the wildlife and plant life on the parks’ nature trail. Don’t
worry if the family is too exhausted to make it back to the car- there’s a
campground and cabins for overnight stays.%uFFFD
Blue Mountain Reservation: This 1538-acre park located in the northwest section of Westchester
County offers families plenty of trails
for hiking, nature study, and mountain biking. Its mixed hardwood forest
contains Oak, Hickory, Tulip, Sassafras, Dogwood, Sugar Maple, Birch, and Beech trees, and
kids will love spotting and identifying different species. Older kids and more
serious hikers looking for a challenge will enjoy taking on Blue Mountain
and Mt. Spitzenberg. This park also has boating and fishing opportunities, picnic areas,
and much more!
Bronx River Parkway: This is Westchester’s oldest park and boasts 807 acres that are located in the
heart of southern Westchester. This park features a
variety of native flora and fauna, ponds, nature trails, and areas for biking.
Some of the foliage includes Red Maple, River Birch, White Oak, Sycamore, and
Sweet Gum; it’s the perfect getaway to discover the wonders of fall!
Monmouth Battlefield State Park: Located in New Jersey, this state park preserves a landscape straight out of the
18th century and offers miles of hiking and horseback riding trails,
picnic areas, playgrounds, and a variety of events. For great foliage, check
out their Oak trees and their orchards where you can pick your own apples or
pumpkins in September and October.
Feel Festive With Fall Produce
Columbia County, a beautiful, nature-infused respite just 150 miles from Manhattan,
offers families a rural break from the city’s hustle and bustle. Hold on to your
tots at the Fair Weather Farms in New Lebanon, NY. This engaging outing has a 10
acre corn maze and a 4 acre pumpkin patch. The farm also has horse and hay
rides, a petting zoo, a playground, concession stands and a fire pit for late
night bonfires. Those in for a fright should attend the Farms’ Flash Light Night
where families can lurk the maze at night! 220 West St. New Lebanon, NY 12125, (518)794-7340,
Stuart’s Farm is one great
institution to try. The oldest working farm in Westchester County, kids will love picking pumpkins
there, straight off the vine!
Sun
High Orchards in Randolph, New Jersey, is another festive destination;
families can take a hayride to the pumpkin patch during the weekends. Parents
will also love stocking up on ripe heirloom tomatoes and other home-grown
vegetables, as well as homemade bread, pies and more.
Terhune Orchards: This
orchard in Princeton, NJ is a family affair, run by the Mount family since
1975. Apples and pumpkins abound on this 185-acre farm, and they host Fall
Family Fun Weekends full of music, food, an Adventure Barn, pumpkin painting,
barnyard animals, and other seasonal delights.
Pennings Orchard & Farm Market
in Warwick, New Tor has it all: fifteen different kinds of apples to pick from,
as well as hayrides and a petting zoo known affectionately as the Barnyard
Buddies. Kids can also make their own scarecrow, get lost in the corn stalk
maze, and ride a pony! To round out your autumn excursion, there’s also a
varied farm market, a continuously blooming garden center, and old-fashioned
ice-cream stand.%uFFFD
%uFFFDVoted Best Pick-Your-Own in
the Mid-Hudson Valley, Dubois
Farms has a wide array of fruits to choose from besides
apples and pumpkins if you’re so inclined, like plums, nectarines, grapes,
gourds, pears, and peaches. Until November 7th, you can take
advantage of their free kids activities, like games, tractor pulled wagon
rides, a corn maze, pony rides, and playing with farm animals. You can also
check out their upcoming festivals and jamborees online.%uFFFD
Applewood Orchards: Don’t let the
name fool you! You can pick both apples and pumpkins at this charming orchard,
also in Warwick, New
York. Kids will also enjoy wagon rides, face painting, and puppet shows, and
you can indulge in the relaxing scenery of the farm’s surrounding ponds, and
maybe even sample their famous cider and wine.
