Weekend Planner October 1-2

Happy October! It’s the first weekend of our favorite fall month, and now that the heat has loosened its overbearing grip on the city, it’s time to pull those shiny boots and warm scarves out of the closet. For families looking forward to enjoying the nice chill outdoors, we have a calendar full of culinary feats and treats, spooky celebrations, and other festivities that fit the bill. — 

Foodie families will find a great reason to trek to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in the Chile Pepper Festival. When you’re not gaping at fire-breathing circus performers, spice up the day and sample some local hot sauces. For a less heated way to get a bit of warmth, visit the make-your-own cocoa station. While you’re in Brooklyn, be sure to also check out the 37^th Annual Atlantic Antic Street Fair, which features 10 entire blocks of family fun—featuring 500 vendors, 100 local merchants, and 10 live music stages.

Speaking of festivals, Honey Weekend at Wave Hill has been all the buzz recently. Perfect for all the sweet tooths out there, the celebration boasts four full hours of gooey tastings at The Shop. To discover the fascinating origins of all that deliciousness, explore a hive wearing beekeeping gear and attend a honey extraction demonstration.

For chills of a different kind, bring your adventurous little tykes to Boo at the Bronx Zoo, where they can brave a haunted safari or spooky hayride. If you’ve got a little scaredy-cat, a ghost-free hay maze and holiday-themed arts and crafts keep the fun tame. Don’t forget to join the costume parade with a great disguise! (P.S. Can’t make it this weekend? Boo at the Zoo runs throughout the rest of October – weekends only!)

But as we all know, fall weather loves to be capricious. If the weather gets too nippy or wet for outdoor frolicking, head to the West side for a delicious Plan B. The Food & Wine Festival’s Kids Get Cooking class at Chelsea Market offers over ten options—from decorating cakes to making pancakes or sushi. Alternatively, celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of the Children’s Museum of Arts over at Charlton Street. At this shiny new location, triple the size of the original space, a raging block party and artsy workshops abound.