It’s almost fall y’all and we’re here for all the apple and pumpkin picking, gorgeous foliage and one of the best pumpkin displays in the area, The Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze. Here are a few of our favorite fall activities beyond North Jersey in Westchester County.
Head to an Apple Festival
The Heritage Apple Festival at Boscobel House and Gardens in Garrison in early October has live entertainment, cider pressing, cider samples, apple cider doughnuts, and interactive lectures on the history of apples in New York and colonial America. Come for live music and storytelling by Jim Keyes and Carla Hall, along with games that were played in the 1800s, Open House visits to the Historic House Museum, hands-on crafts, and live demos. There will also be a shuttle service from Putnam County’s Cold Spring Trolley.
Make the Trip to See the Blaze
The Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze has been an annual tradition in the area since 2005. This outdoor walkthrough experience allows you to see thousands of hand-carved pumpkins. The experience opens in mid-September and runs until November, but make sure you buy your tickets in advance because they sell out fast. Visitors will be immersed in the entire Halloween experience with giant spider webs, snakes, shrunken “Little Monsters,” a giant pumpkin bonfire, a working doomsday grandfather clock, and an Underground Aquarium with a 40-foot-long sea serpent. There will also be a river walk-through experience, an 80-foot circus train, and a “Jurassic Park” area to have the kids experience what Jurassic Park was like — there will be a pterodactyl and a more than 20-feet-tall brontosaurus. And for those art enthusiasts, there will be the Museum of Pumpkin Art showcasing work from professional artists for the pumpkin season.
Take in a Fall Festival
The Yorktown Grange Fair in Yorktown Heights has been a tradition since 1923 and offers families a chance to see what country living was like. In September, families can dance to live music and participate in friendly competitions like watermelon eating, rubber chicken throwing and more.
The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival is the place to be for bookworms. Taking place on September 30, this festival has a day full of activities, including a reading with author Mary Pope Osborne, author of the wildly popular “Magic Tree House” series. Other authors include Sarah Albee, Tracey Baptiste, Gabrielle Balkan, Ariel Bernstein, Erik Brown, Nick Bruel, Beth Ferry, and more.
The Armonk Outdoor Art Show is celebrating its 60th year and boasts more than 160 works from across the world. Taking place from September 30 to October 1 from 10 am to 5 pm each day, there will be food and beverages available along with free activities for the kids, including art lessons and interactive art projects. The art show also will have family-friendly experiences for the kids to enjoy, like the Rye Art Center, Homegrown Gardens, DIY Slime activity, Masha Dasha Designs, Abrakadoodle, and Eduthroughart.
The Pound Ridge Harvest Festival on October 7 will have a root beer and craft beer garden, rides, specialty food, face painting, local vendors, inflatables, games and prizes, crafts, and live music from Galactic.
Just for Chocolate Lovers
Taking place at Museum Village in Monroe in late October, the Chocolate Expo is the area’s largest chocolate-themed event. You’ll get to taste a variety of sweets and try wines, spirits, cider, mead, and more. Of course, there will also be chocolate, baked items, cheeses, and specialty foods. A Kid Zone will have face painting, balloon twisting, craft activities, magic, and music, along with chef demos.
Read More:
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