Fall activities in New York to add to your bucket list

Reporting by Sunshyne Lynch, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin

If you’re looking for ways to make the most of the upcoming fall season, there are many opportunities to do that throughout New York.

The first day of fall is Sept. 22, and all the best parts of the season are soon to follow, like vibrant fall foliage, fall festivals, pumpkin farms and seasonal goodies.

To ensure you celebrate the season to the fullest, here’s a list of things throughout New York State to add to your fall bucket list.

The best fall activities in New York

Go on a fall foliage cruise in the Adirondacks

Throughout the Adirondack Region, there are many ways to expand your fall foliage viewing, including boat tours and cruises that allow you to truly embrace all of the beauty, and Lake George has plenty of options for those looking to do some fall sightseeing.

The Lake George Steamboat Company has a specific fall foliage cruise that runs Oct. 11-18.

Lake George Waterfront Cruises also has fall foliage cruises every weekend throughout the month of October.

For more information and cruise options, go to visitlakegeorge.com.

Go to the ‘Colors in the Catskills’ fall festival

Located at Hunter Mountain Resort, Colors in the Catskills is a festival that takes place on three weekends in October, featuring live entertainment, food, beverages, family-friendly activities and local artisan vendors, all encompassed by beautiful, vibrant fall foliage.

The festival is free to attend.

Location: Hunter Mountain Resort, 64 Klein Ave., Hunter.
Dates: The festival takes place on three weekends, each with their own theme.
- Oct. 3-4: First Leaves
- Oct. 10-11: Authentic Oktoberfest
- Oct. 17-18: Costume Takeover
Hours: The festival is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday during festival weekends.

Find your way through Stoughton Farm’s corn maze

Located in Newark Valley, Stoughton Farm is known for their MAiZE, which, according to the farm’s website, spans more than 8 acres and is an autumn adventure “filled with winding pathways, exciting twists and turns, and plenty of opportunities to explore the beauty of the season.”

Once you’ve mastered the maze, the farm features an abundance of other family-friendly activities that ensure a day of fall-filled fun, including hayrides, a pumpkin blaster, a jumping pillow and a cow train.

If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can try to find your way through the MAiZE at night.

Location: 10898 state Route 38, Newark Valley.
Hours:
- The market is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
- The MAiZE will open on Sept. 21, and will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Beginning Oct. 2, the MAiZE hours will be extended until 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
- Fall activities will begin on Sept. 26, and will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 9-11, various fall activities will be offered.
- Stoughton Farm will be closed Oct. 5, Oct. 19, and Oct. 26.

Take a fall hike at Letchworth State Park

Letchworth State Park is known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” with 66 miles of hiking and biking trails, which would make for the perfect way to get outside on a crisp day and experience the beautiful views of New York State’s fall foliage.

The park encompasses a section of the Genesee River, which flows through the gorge and over three waterfalls, according to the park website, and offers cliffs as high as 600 feet. Letchworth won the USA TODAY Readers’ Choice Award for Best State Park in the U.S., making it a must-see, especially for hikers.

Location: 1 Letchworth State Park, Castile.
Hours: The park is open year-round, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Go apple picking at Apple Hills

Located in Binghamton, Apple Hills features 13 varieties of apples during the U-pick apple season, which runs from early September through mid-October, and it may be the perfect way to spend a nice fall afternoon with friends and family.

If you’re looking to get the most out of your visit, Apple Hills also features farm activities, a corn maze and restaurant if you get hungry.

Location: 131 Brooks Road, Binghamton.
Hours: Dates and hours for apple picking are weather-dependent. For more information, including specific hours and variety availability, visit the Apple Hills website or call 607-729-2683.

Sip your way through Finger Lakes wineries, breweries

The Finger Lakes region is the ideal destination for drink and foliage lovers, offering a multitude of wineries, distilleries, cideries and breweries to visit while you view the sea of red, orange and yellow leaves.

For wine lovers, the Finger Lakes features three different wine trails:

Seneca Lake Wine Trail
- The Seneca Lake Wine Trail covers 28 wineries, with 600 varieties of wine throughout the trail.
Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
- The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail follows 10 different wineries around Cayuga Lake.
Keuka Lake Wine Trail
- The Keuka Lake Wine Trail has six different wineries. The average amount of time Keuka Lake Wine Trail wineries have been in business is 26 years, giving the trail a “rich wine heritage,” according to the website.

There are also several breweries throughout the region for those who prefer a cold beer, cideries for those who truly want to embrace the fall season, and distilleries for those who prefer something a little stronger.

For more information regarding wine trails and other offerings, visit fingerlakeswinecountry.com.

Take a trip to Sleepy Hollow

If you want to truly embrace the spooky season, a visit to Sleepy Hollow must be on your bucket list.

Complete with haunted houses, cemetery tours, ghost tours, a Halloween parade and the Headless Horseman, all within the setting for Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” the village is sure to provide everything you need to celebrate the fall season.

For a break from the spookiness, you can visit local farmers markets, enjoy various live music performances or attending a painting class.

For more information, visit visitsleepyhollow.com.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin.