It’s almost Halloween!

This means it’s the perfect opportunity to gather the family together and celebrate this beautiful fall season with some Halloween themed weekend activities.

The Hudson Valley, metro New York region and surrounding areas like Connecticut and New Jersey are full of fun Halloween themed events that the entire family will love.

So bundle up in some cozy sweaters, grab a hot cider and start your adventure!

The Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze

It doesn’t get much more Halloween than this amazing display featuring thousands of carved pumpkins. Grab a treat and walk through winding paths illuminated by pumpkins with elaborate carvings and massive sculptures made of stacked faux pumpkins. The paths are even set to themed music that brings these Halloween scenes to life. All these pumpkins are hand carved and you can stroll through this unique gallery experience of local art at your own pace. The Blaze draws crowds who appreciate the beauty of the Van Cortlandt Manor and Estate. This event attracts families from far and wide, making it often a sold out event. So get your tickets early! If you’re looking for something a little spookier, you can check out their affiliated haunted house. Experience the “Horseman’s Hollow” to really get your heart pumping.

Pumpkin Picking

You can’t let your front steps go bare this Halloween! Pack up the family and set out to find a perfect pumpkin to carve! One of the most action packed pumpkin patches in the Westchester area is the very popular Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard. This farm has tons of pumpkin varieties and activities to occupy the whole family. Enjoy fresh cider and freshly baked delicious items while listening to live music. Catch a hayride that takes you on a scenic route around the farm. The kids will absolutely love the bouncy house, the apple cannons and the face painting. Don’t miss the opportunity to go on a classic pumpkin picking adventure with your family this October!

Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses Children’s Day

One of the best childrens Halloween parties you don’t want to miss is the “Tiny Taste of Terror” at Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses in Ulster Park, New York. This outdoor event features hayrides, games, professional face painting, and live entertainment. The cast and crew at Headless Horseman transforms the grounds of their top rated haunted attraction to a unique family friendly Halloween experience on the beautiful grounds of a historic farm. Children can dress up in their most impressive Halloween costumes and collect prizes from the miniature game alley in the gardens. You can grab lunch at one of their multiple concessions that serves everything from freshly grilled burgers to melt in your mouth apple crisps. This event is a great tradition for families in the Tri-State area, making it a must when planning  fall adventures in the beautiful upstate New York. Parents who can secure a babysitter often return back for Headless Horseman’s incredibly terrifying evening performance, where they are rated number one haunted hayride in the country for 2016.

With the holidays just around the corner, fall is the best time to set out and spend somequality time with family and friends.

We are fortunate enough to have beautiful weather and an incredible palette of fall foliage as the backdrop for our family adventures this October. Take advantage of this beautiful season and begin some new autumn traditions with the ones you love.