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Top Things To Do This Fall at Long Island Farms

1. Apple Picking

Kick off the fall season with an apple-picking day trip, and don't forget to stock up on sweet apple cider donuts.

2. Fall Festivals

Conquer a corn maze, cuddle barnyard friends, and jump on a hayride at Fink's Fall Harvest Fest open weekends and holidays, and check out other exciting Long Island fall harvest fairs and festivals the family will love. 

3. Pumpkin Picking

Plan a visit to one of Long Island's beautiful farms and enjoy picking the perfect pumpkin with the kids. 

4. Explore a Maze

Challenge the family to make it through a local corn maze.

5. Pickle Festival

Pucker up: The 44th annual Pickle Festival will be held this year at John Gardiner’s Farm on Saturday, September 21, 2024. 

6. Visit the Country Fair

Hallockville Farm hosts its 43rd annual Country Fair on Saturday, September 28, and Sunday, September 29, 2024. Tour the farm, ride a pony, or check out the many craft vendors. New experiences for the family to enjoy this year include Revolutionary War re-enactors and colonial cooking demonstrations. 

7. Go to a Petting Zoo

Meet new furry friends at Long Island's petting zoos before they close for the season. 

8. Hop on a Hayride

Head to one of Long Island's best farms and climb aboard a seasonal hayride.

Top Outdoor Fall Things To Do on Long Island 

9. Fire Island

Hop on the ferry to Fire Island, and hang on to summer a little longer with a fun family day. 

10. Walk the Beach

The crowds are gone, but Long Island's beaches are beautiful all season long. Fall is a great time to explore one of these beach walks.

11. Go to a Playground

Before it gets too cold for outdoor adventures, visit one of the best playgrounds on Long Island.

12. Jump in a Giant Bounce House

Bounce the City Inflatable Fun Park comes to Walt Whitman Shops October 12-October 27, 2024. Kids can dive into an intergalactic-themed adventure by jumping, sliding, and bouncing through obstacle courses, compete in a massive sports bounce arena, bop in the silent disco dome, and more. 

13. Take in the Splendor of Changing Leaves

Enjoy a family fall foliage hike with some leaf-peeping fun or explore the East End on one of these nature trails.

14. Visit a State Park

Visit one of these Long Island state parks that offer all-season fun.

15. Dog Days at Old Westbury Gardens

Bring the whole pack to Old Westbury Gardens for its annual fall Dog Days event, which allows you to bring your leashed dog to the garden. Visit a vendor or rescue booth before taking Fido on a lovely walk through the garden. The dog-friendly weekend is Saturday, October 26, and Sunday, October 27, 2024. There will even be a fall dog parade and costume contest on Sunday. 

16. Dine Outside

Throw on a sweater and enjoy a fun dinner at one of these great family-friendly restaurants with outdoor seating or one of these beautiful waterfront restaurants.

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17. See Pumpkins and Jack O'Lanterns That Light Up the Night

Check out the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze when it returns to Old Bethpage Village Restoration on Friday, October 4, 2024, or visit Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns at Usdan campus in Wheatley Heights.

18. Spooky Fest

Take a walk through the woods of Tanglewood Preserve during CSTL's Spooky Fest. Choose from a haunted walk (for brave big kids) or a not-so-spooky walk (for younger children) that includes a new Mystical Garden this year. 

19. Make Your Own Jack O'Lantern 

Carve a locally grown pumpkin into a fun-themed design or spooky jack-o-lantern with one of our free stencils–think Minions, Bluey, or Paw Patrol for the little ones. 

More Fun Things To Do This Fall on Long Island

20. Waterfront Fall Oyster Fest 

The hugely popular 41st Annual Oyster Festival is back in Oyster Bay on Saturday, October 19, and Sunday, October 20, 2024. Families can enjoy seafood galore, a carnival with rides and games, pirate fun for the kids, music for all, and more by the scenic waterfront. 

21. Stroll on the Beach

Make time for one last beach walk on one of Long Island's famous sandy stretches. Some towns hold fall festivals on the shorelines, like the Fall Family Festival at North Hempstead Beach Park on Saturday, October 5, 2024. 

22. See Long Island Children's Museum's New Exhibit

Block Party with Imagination Playground is the LICM's new interactive exhibit. Kids can use their creativity and problem-solving skills to build with giant, lightweight blocks. Note that the museum is closed for its fall fix-up until September 28, 2024. 

23. Take a Road Trip

Hop in the car for one of these unforgettable day trips for Long Island families.

RELATED: 21 Kid-Friendly Ghost Stories and Spooky Stories for Kids

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s Annual Scarecrow Competition is back. Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Village

24. Choose Your Favorite Scarecrow

Visit charming Stony Brook Village and cast your vote in its annual Scarecrow Competition.

25. See a Show at the Theater

Rapunzel: A Tangled Fairytale runs performances at The Engeman Theater from Saturday, September 28, 2024, until the end of October.

26. Support Local Businesses

Spend a day exploring and shopping in one of Long Island's most walkable main streets.

27. Decorate For the Season

Find some fun, seasonal decor and hang out with Otto the Ghost at the Fall Festival at Hicks Nurseries.

28. Sip and Dine Among the Vines

Enjoy a fall sunset with the kids while sipping wine at a family-friendly, East End vineyard.

29. Learn About Local History

Plan a visit to the Long Island Museum or stop by the Nassau County Firefighters Museum to learn all about first responders. 

30. Plot a Getaway

If you must leave Long Island, these nearby destinations are beautiful in the fall and perfect for a weekend away.

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Catch some thrills at Adventureland. Photo by Kristen Markel

31. Ride the Coasters at Adventureland

Ride a roller coaster at Adventureland one last time before it closes for the season in November. 

32. Visit Bayville Scream Park

Older kids and teenagers love the thrills of Bayville Scream Park to get in the Halloween spirit, even little kids can get in on the fun by attending a not-so-scary day.

33. Climb the Ropes at Jones Beach

Plan a daring adventure and zip above the beach at WildPlay Jones Beach, which is open until November. 

34. Play Mini Golf

Gather your favorite foursome and play a round of mini golf on one of the many Long Island courses.

35. Pack a Picnic

Grab your favorite fall foods and enjoy a perfect autumn day at one of Long Island's best family picnic spots. 

This piece was originally published in September 2020. Kristen Markel contributed additional reporting.