Jaylen Petty and Jonathan Johnson
The fall season is officially here. The leaves are changing color, the smell of pumpkin spice, apple cider, and cinnamon is in the air, and people are looking for ways to spend their chilly season. However, you may have no idea what to do during this cool, colorful, and wonderful season. Fortunately, there are a lot of activities you can do throughout New York, both free and for a fee, to celebrate the fall.
5. Go for a Hike
Let’s get outdoorsy and see what nature has in store for us! Hiking is a great way to start off the season, especially if you enjoy being outside. Hiking allows you to feel the nice, fall breeze and see the wonderful colors of the changing leaves. On top of this, hiking is a great way to stay in shape and get peace of mind away from your busy schedule. Enjoying nature and getting exercise; what a great way to start the season off! In New York, there are dozens of hiking trails that people can go to, in Queens and even upstate.
4. Attend the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
Spooky season is creeping towards us. If you’re in the Halloween spirit, or into art, this is the perfect place to go with friends and families. The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is has thousands of carved pumpkins, all decorated and made up in different designs. They are all up for display and you can go see them for a small fee. Tickets for the Blaze are $34 for those ages 3-17 and $42 for adults. The Blaze also has two locations, one on Long Island and one in the Hudson Valley. The Hudson Valley location runs from September 15th through November 19th. The Long Island location runs from September 22nd through November 5th. If you want to have a smashing and gourd time, let’s go with it!
3. Check Out Nature at the New York Botanical Garden
The New York Botanical is a 250-acre garden located in the Bronx. For those who love nature, flowers, and fall foliage. This year, The New York Botanical Garden has many fall activities, such as Fall-o-Ween, running through November 12th. The garden is hosting pumpkin carving face-offs, Halloween costume parades, and spooky night tours. It is a one-hour drive via car or transportation from Queens, depending on traffic. For adults, it costs $35 and for children under 12-years-old it’s $15.
2. Walk Through a Corn Maze
Corn Mazes are definitely a staple of the fall season. The Amazing Maize Maze at the Queens County Farm is open from September 15th through October 28th. Throughout this three-acre maze, you must solve puzzles, uncover clues, and find your way out of the maze with your group. In the nighttime, the farm offers a nightmare maze, in which you have a chance to escape the maze when it gets dark out. It is definitely a spooky way to spend your fall Friday night. Tickets for the maze run $16 for adults, $12 for children ages 4–11, and are free for children for ages 3 & under.
1. Get Out and Pick Some Apples
Apple picking is a staple fall activity that everyone loves to do. There are several different types of apple-picking places and farms that people can visit throughout New York. Unfortunately, most good orchards for apples are not in the New York City area, but many are only a short drive away. Herbes Orchard is located in Riverhead, Long Island, and is famous for their variety and also their extras such as their spooky season specials and their corn maze. Barton Orchards is located upstate in Westchester, and has been open for over 40 years. Wherever you go, there will be apples of every type to bring home and munch on.