Beautiful view of the colors changing in the Adirondacks (Photo courtesy of @xisan on Instagram/ | I Love NY website)
Fall in Central New York (CNY) has so much to offer. Whether you are looking to find the best time to see the leaves change or want to partake in a festival or a fun fall activity, we have put together a comprehensive guide for all of your fall fun!
Lafayette Apple Festival 
Address: Rowland Rd, Lafayette, New York 13084
When: Oct. 7-8, Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission Fee: $6 per person
Details: The LaFayette area has long been recognized as one of the primary apple producing regions of Upstate New York. The festival includes crafts, food, special events, midway rides, local exhibitions and much more.
(Photo courtesy of their Facebook)
Zoo Boo
Address: Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse, New York 13204
When: Oct. 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29
Admission Fee: $7-9 depending on when and where you purchase your ticket. Note: Admission to the zoo is not included in the ticket price. You will be required to purchase a ticket to the zoo unless you are a member upon arrival.
Details: This is a “kooky-not-spooky” daytime Halloween celebration. The zoo transforms into a hauntingly fun destination for the whole family with trick-or-treat stations, creepy crawly animal encounters, keeper chats, games, activities, photo opportunities and a costume parade.
Fall Harvest Celebration at Critz Farms
Address: 3232 Rippleton Rd., State Route 13 South, Cazenovia, New York 13035 
When: Through Oct. 22
Admission Fee: $6 to $10 per person depending on what day you visit
Details: Experience the quintessential fall season on Critz Farms—the perfect place to bring the family and soak in everything fall has to offer. They have pumpkin picking, a tasting room, food available in the café, wagon rides, farm animals, a gift shop and of course their famous corn maze! There is truly something for everyone.
(Photo courtesy of their Facebook)
CMC Haunted House
Address: 6092 NYS Route 31, Cicero, New York 13039
Hours: Open Friday and Saturday nights from Oct. 6-28, 7-10 p.m.
Admission Fee: Tickets range from $15-30/per person depending on what you participate in
Details: The CMC Haunted House is a longstanding tradition in Cicero and was named by Scarycuse.com as the Bronze Medal Winner in 2019 and Best Boo for your Buck in 2018. Come get your greatest scare of the season that will focus on the many phobias in this year’s production.
Fright Nights
Address: 1 Lepage Place, Syracuse, New York 13206 
Hours: Open every weekend in October, Friday and Saturday nights, 7 p.m.-midnight, and Sunday, 7-11 p.m.
Admission Fee: $30/person
Details: A haunted experience like no other. Between the state-of-the-art set design and talented actors, you’re sure to see why USA Today included Fright Nights in their list of The Best 20 Haunted Attractions in the Northeast!
(Photo courtesy of their Facebook)
Syracuse Walk of the Dead
Address: 4812 South Cook Rd., Lafayette, New York 13084
Hours: Open 6 p.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday nights from Oct. 13-28
Admission Fee: $25 for adults and $17 for children age 13 and under
Details: Dare to enter the Wonderland Forest and traverse over half a mile of serpentine trails that will leave you trembling with terror.
Tim’s Pumpkin Patch
Address: 2901 Rose Hill Rd., Marietta, New York, 13110 
Hours: Open daily through Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Admission Fee: $4-$6 depending on the day you visit
Details: A simple, fun and authentic family-run farm experience offering wagon rides, a u-pick pumpkin field, a corn maze, a hay fort, a crazy maze, an animal barn, skeeball, corn hole, sand pile, bakery and retail shop.
(Photo courtesy of their Facebook)
The Pumpkin Hollow
Address: 3735 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, New York 13215
Hours: Open daily until the end of October, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Admission Fee: Free
Details: A fun family-owned pumpkin patch that has much more to offer including a corn maze, hayride, farm animals and tasty treats to try.
Spooktacular Stroll
Address: Long Branch Park, Liverpool, NewYork 13209
Hours: Open Thursdays through Sundays in October, 5-9 p.m.
Admission Fee: $25/vehicle
Details: It’s a not-so-scary stroll along a half-mile freshly paved path at Long Branch Park in Liverpool, as you see festive Halloween-themed displays in the wooded trail. Each section includes large wooden structures, LED light displays and more to help them come to life. Every night food trucks will be on hand in the park to grab a treat or dinner!
(Photo courtesy of their Facebook)
A student takes a break while visiting Abbott Farms in Baldwinsville, New York, just outside Syracuse, to enjoy a fall favorite in Central New York, apple picking. (Photo by Randy Pellis)
