Are you looking to get out and enjoy fall in Central New York? These area apple orchards and pumpkin patches have no shortage of family-friendly activities.
Please note: Visit each website for more information about COVID-19 guidelines.
Apple Orchards
• Abbott Farms – Abbott Farms has something for every member of the family. On weekends during the Fall Festival, Children can enjoy tube slides, an apple cannon, a jump pillow and a corn maze (which you can also visit on Friday and Saturday nights – bring a flashlight), and there is a cider and wine bar for adults. Families can also pick their own apples and pumpkins throughout the month.
Where: 3275 Cold Springs Road, Baldwinsville.
More information: abbottfarms.com.
• Beak and Skiff Apple Orchard – Recently named the country’s top apple orchard in a USA Today poll, Beak and Skiff offers u-pick seven days a week. Its grounds also include a tasting room, a general store and a kids’ area – this year, it features a playground and a “straw mountain.”
Where: 2708 Lords Hill Road, Lafayette.
More information: beakandskiff.com.
• Burrell’s Navarino Orchard – Burrell’s Navarino Orchard features dwarf apple trees, making it easy for all members of the family to participate. Make sure to stop by the fritter shack on weekends to pick up hot apple fritters, apple fritter sundaes and other apple-based treats. U-pick pumpkins are also available.
Where: 3655 Cherry Valley Turnpike, Syracuse.
More information: navarinoorchard.com.
• Behling Orchards – Founded in 1947, Behling Orchards has more than 70 varieties of apples. After a visit to the orchard, stop by the barn, which includes a candy room and donut room, or take a trip through the corn maze. Visitors can also grab a bite to eat the Apple Cook Shack.
Where: 114 Potter Road, Mexico.
More information: behlingorchards.com.
• Critz Farms – During the Fall Harvest Celebration, families can take a walk through the corn maze (this year’s design is “Animals of Africa”), watch a cider making demonstration, see farm animals, take a ride on the cow train, pick apples and pumpkins and more. Critz Farms is also home to Critz Farms Brewing & Cider Co., where those of age can sample beer and hard cider.
Where: 3232 Rippleton Road, State Route 13, Cazenovia.
More information: critzfarms.com.
• Owen Orchards – Located on Route 5 in Weedsport, Owen Orchards offers u-pick apples – and pumpkins – throughout the month of October. Wagon rides are available on weekends (don’t forget to bring a mask), and families can also pick up cider, donuts and locally made products at the farm market.
Where: 8174 Grant Avenue, Weedsport.
More information: owenorchard.com.
Pumpkin Patches
• Cicero “Pumkin” Patch – Families can take a ride through Candy Lane, a creepy graveyard, a ghost crossing and more on the Hermit Hayride. After you find the perfect pumpkin for carving, don’t forget to also check out Cicero “Pumkin” Patch’s three-acre corn maze and nature trail.
Where: 7169 Island Road, Cicero.
More information: ciceropumkinpatch.com.
• Our Farm – Looking for somewhere on the east side of town? Our Farm has wagon rides, a petting zoo and corn maze – this year’s maze is shaped like a crab, and it features fun facts about the crustacean. The farm’s pumpkin catapult, known as Boris, is another must-see.
Where: 1590 Peth Rd, Manlius.
More information: our-farm.squarespace.com.
• Penny’s Country Farm – Penny’s Country Farm has activities for all ages: a children’s fun zone, ghost train rides, animals, pumpkin cannons and corn mazes (with options for adults and children). You can also walk through Tombstone, a Western town complete with a sheriff’s office and a saloon.
Where: 1540 Gray Road, Union Springs.
More information: pennyscountryfarm.com.
• Springside Farm – Open Friday-Sunday throughout October, Springside Farm offers more than 35 different types of pumpkins. Families can also check out zip lines, human foosball, pedal cars, wagon rides, a corn maze and more with the purchase of a ‘Maze Park Pass.’
Where: 1850 NY-91, Fabius.
More information: springsidefarm.net.
• The Pumpkin Hollow – Children will enjoy the corn maze, animal area, hay jump and Ice Cream Shoppe. On weekends, fresh apple fritters and hayrides are also available. The Pumpkin Hollow is open seven days a week through Halloween.
Where: 3735 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse.
More information: thepumpkinhollow.com.
• Tim’s Pumpkin Patch – Visitors can take advantage of numerous family-friendly activities: animal barn, hay fort (outside this year due to COVID-19), fossil dig, grain tables, tractor wagon rides and of course, u-pick pumpkins. If you visit on a weekend, make sure to try a pumpkin funnel cake.
Where: 2901 Rose Hill Road, Marietta.
More information: timspumpkinpatch.com.
October Events and Outings
• Apple Festive, Downtown Ithaca – Families can visit a socially-distanced farmer’s market, as well as the local restaurants and businesses on the Apple & Cider Trail.
When: October 1-4.
Cost: There is no admission fee.
More information: facebook.com/events/2780823558799968.
• Fall Fun Festival, Fort Rickey Children’s Discovery Zoo – Feed animals, take a tractor pull ride and walk through the hay maze. Food will be available for purchase.
When: Daily from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: $7 per person; free for children under 2.
More information: (315) 336-1930. fortrickey.com/fall-festival.
• Flashlight Safari & Halloween Nights, The Wild Animal Park – See the zoo’s animals when they are most active. Costumes are encouraged.
When: Fridays and Saturdays from 6-10 p.m.
Cost: Adults $13.99; Seniors/$11.99; Children (up to age 12) $11.99; free/age 2 and under.
More information: (315) 510-3347. thewildpark.com.
• Nature’s Ninjas, Milton J. Rubinstein Museum of Science & Technology – The interactive exhibit will explore the self-defense mechanisms (venom, size and more) of animals.
When: Beginning October 3, there will be shows every weekend from 11-11:30 a.m.; 1-1:30 p.m.; and 3-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Free with museum admission ($12/adults; $10 children (ages 2-10) & seniors).
Cost: Free with museum admission ($12/adults; $10 children (ages 2-10) & seniors).
More information: most.org/natures-ninjas.
