At a crossroads – Adirondacks, NY (Photo by @djrocks66 on Instagram)
Fall in Central New York (CNY) is full of fun and delightful opportunities. Whether you’re eager to witness the stunning transformation of the leaves this October, wish to partake in a festival or enjoy a fun fall activity, we’ve crafted an extensive guide to ensure your fall experiences with friends and family are unforgettable!
Lafayette Apple Festival
Address: Rowland Road, Lafayette, New York 13084
When: Oct. 12-13, Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with an apple pancake breakfast starting at 7 a.m. both days
Admission Fee: $6 per person; 12 and under are free. Parking is also free.
Details: The Apple Festival is a fun weekend for the whole family. The high quality of the exhibitors, uniqueness of products offered and diversity make it a hit for all ages!
(Photo courtesy of their Facebook)
Wicked Woods Drive Through
Address: 7900 Green Lakes Road, Fayetteville, New York 13066
When: Saturday, Oct. 19
Admission Fee: Free but the CNY Food Bank will be collecting donations
Details: Get in the Halloween spirit by driving through the Pinewoods campground to see all the fun and spooky decorated campsites! This is a drive-thru only event.
Zoo Boo
Address: Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse, New York 13204
When: Oct. 12-13, 19-20 and 26-27
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. Wear costumes and bring treat bags for this fall-favorite event!
(Photo courtesy of their website)
Fall Harvest Celebration at Critz Farms
Address: 3232 Rippleton Rd., State Route 13 South, Cazenovia, New York 13035
When: Through Oct. 20
Admission Fee: $6-10 per person (plus fees); depending on what day of the week you visit
Details: Experience the quintessential fall season at Critz Farms—the perfect place to bring the family and soak in everything fall has to offer. They have pumpkin and apple picking, a tasting room, fresh sweet apple cider, farm animals, a gift shop with fall decor, playgrounds and of course their famous corn maze! Additionally, on the weekends, they also have food available in the café, wagon rides, live music, cider-making demonstrations and a cow train ride for children. There is truly something for everyone.
Chuck Hafner’s Fall Festival
Address: 7265 Buckley Rd., North Syracuse, New York 13212
When: Sept. 28 through Oct. 20
Admission Fee: Free activities are available; on the weekends, some activities include a fee; visit their website for more information
Details: Every day, there are free activities, including a corn pit, giant games, a straw maze, a petting zoo, a ghoulish hole-in-one, a tepee, bowling and a ghost rider speedway. Each weekend has a different theme and includes the following activities: pumpkin decorating, face painting and temporary tattoos, tie-dye, sand art, zombie paintball attack, carnival games and unlimited bounce zone. The weather won’t spoil the fun—Chuck Hafner’s is proud to host the only undercover festival in CNY, so rain or shine.
(Photo courtesy of their Instagram)
Abbott Farms Fall Fest
Address: 3275 Cold Springs Rd., Baldwinsville New York 13027
When: Through Oct. 27
Admission Fee: Some areas have free admission, while the fun zone is $10
Details: Abbott Farms Fall Fest includes fun for the whole family with free admission to apple picking, the market and Abbott’s Ark. The fun zone includes over 11 activities, a corn maze, wagon rides, pony rides and face painting.
Springside Farm Fall Harvest
Address: 1850 Rt. 91, Fabius, New York 13063
When: Through Oct. 27
Admission Fee: $14 per person, with seniors/veterans (with I.D.) $12
Details: Harvest your memories at Springside Farm! Admission includes access to fun fall activities like a barrel train, pedal cars, a jump pad, zip lines, a petting zoo, a playground with tunnels and slides, a basketball wagon, a baseball challenge, corn bins, a nature trail, toddler play area, a sound garden, duck races, food court, sweet shop, gift shop, pumpkin patch and gem mining!
(Photo courtesy of their website)
CMC Haunted House
Address: 6092 Route 31, Cicero, New York 13039
Hours: Open Friday and Saturday nights from Oct. 4-26, 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. This year’s house has been amped up with many scares and new audio and visual features.
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 page)
Syracuse Walk of the Dead Presents Erie Hallows at Exit 38
Address: 7192 Oswego Rd., Liverpool, New York 13090
Hours: Open 7:30-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights from Oct. 4-26
Admission Fee: $20 for adults and $14 for children age 13 and under
Details: Dare to uncover the secrets of Erie Hollows, a town lost to time and terror. This October, brave souls are summoned to Exit 38 for a heart-pounding journey through over half a mile of twisted trails and unspeakable horrors.
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 page)
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, New York 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 page)
Flashlight Safari and Halloween Nights
Address: 7621 Lakeport Rd., Chittenango, New York 13037
Hours: Every Friday and Saturday in October from 6-10 p.m.
Admission Fee: 2 and under are free, Seniors and children ages 3-12: $16.99 and Adults: $19.99
Details: Looking for a spooky yet family fun experience? Check out the Flash Light Safari. Catch the animals at night when they are most active. The lights in the park are dimmed to make it a special experience. Don’t forget your flashlights!
Fall in CNY means there are plenty of places for apple picking. (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)
