NYC Columbus Day Weekend Getaways: Farm Fun for the Whole Family

10/6/14 - By Stephanie Ogozalek

The fall harvest is in full swing and while you can celebrate the season right here in NYC, the upcoming Columbus Day holiday weekend is an ideal time to get out of town for one last nature-themed excursion before the cold of winter sets in. Even though apple picking is already pretty much over (many orchards say their trees have been picked bare), farms throughout the northeast are still offering lots of seasonal fun like pumpkin patches, giant corn mazes, petting zoos and other agritainment.

We've rounded up half a dozen attraction-filled destinations for Columbus Day weekend. Most are within two hours of the city and make great day trips but a few require an overnight stay. For even more vacation inspiration, check out our NYC Family Getaways Guide and our Travel site, which has a great list of fall travel deals.

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Cherry Crest Adventure Farm – Ronks, PA
150 Cherry Hill Road
Admission: $15 on weekdays, $18 on Saturdays and holidays, free for children under 2; closed on Sundays
Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes by car from midtown Manhattan
My family's favorite destination for farm-tastic fun, Cherry Crest features more than 50 agritainment activities and one of the region's best corn mazes. Plan your weekend wisely: The farm is deep in the heart of Pennsylvania's Amish Country and is closed on Sundays. But if you stay the weekend, there are plenty of other things to do in the area like hitting the rides at Dutch Wonderland, hopping on the Strasburg Railroad and more.

Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm – Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
347 Quiet Valley Road
Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 3-12
Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from midtown Manhattan
The vintage farm's annual Harvest Fest takes place on Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12. Families can enjoy hay jumping, horse-drawn wagon rides, country games, period craft and cooking demos, and indulge in home-baked treats and home-brewed root beer. Just over the Delaware Water Gap, Quiet Valley is close enough for a day trip. However, if you stay the weekend, you'll have plenty of time to check out nearby Pocono Mountains attractions like the Claws "N" Paws animal preserve, Bushkill Falls and other regional destinations.

Harbes Family Farm – Mattituck, Long Island
715 Sound Avenue

Barn Yard Adventure: $12.95-$15.95 per person; pumpkins are priced by the pound
Approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes by car from midtown Manhattan
The Harbes family owns three farms on Long Island's East End where you can pick your own pumpkins. But the Mattiituck location is the largest and also offers many cool kids' attractions. In the Barnyard Adventure section, families can watch pig races, ride pedal carts, romp in a hedge maze, hang with the animals, and enjoy singing hayrides and a kid-size corn maze. (There are larger, more challenging mazes at the Riverhead and Jamesport outposts.) Want to make a weekend out of it? Head further east to the isle's North Fork where you can visit family-friendly wineries and other high-end spots.

Horse Sleigh Farm – Washington, New Jersey
438 Route 57 West
Free admission but various activity fees
Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from midtown Manhattan
Enjoy a slew of seasonal amusements at this farm including hayrides, pumpkin picking, a corn cannon, nature games, cracking geodes, spotting water buffalo and a corn maze. For older children, there's also a spooky maze you can navigate by flashlight after dark. If you decide to spend the weekend, be sure to tour the nearby Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse, get up close and personal with wildlife at the Lakota Wolf Preserve, and explore the quirky Space Farms Zoo & Museum.

Lyman Orchards – Middlefield, Connecticut
32 Reeds Gap Road
Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12
Approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes by car from midtown Manhattan
Get lost in a seven-acre, Beatles-themed corn maze before heading to the pumpkin patch and browsing the on-site market for freshly baked goodies. If you spend the weekend, you can also hit Dinosaur Place for its annual Fall Festival, the Mystic Aquarium or enjoy Chowder Days at the Mystic Seaport.

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard – North Salem, NY
130 Hardscrabble Road
Free admission but there are fees for activities
Approximately 1 hour by car from midtown Manhattan
This Westchester County pick-your-own spot is great for New Yorkers who want to leave town without actually going that far—it's even accessible via public transportation, just take Metro-North to the Croton Falls Station and grab a cab. While its apple orchard has been picked clean, you can still find pumpkins and enjoy hayrides, farm animals, bouncy castles and live music on weekends. Afterward, check out some of the fabulous Halloween happenings in nearby Hudson Valley.


Find more fun family getaways in our Day Trips Guide and our Pick-Your-Own Guide.

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