Nothing beats hitting a pumpkin patch in the Hudson Valley for fall fun. At these nearby farms, you'll find top seasonal activities like hayrides, petting zoos, and plenty more.

Check out our Westchester & Hudson Valley Halloween Guide and our Fall Fun Guide for the best things to do with kids in the area this autumn.

The best pumpkin patches on Long Island are jam-packed with interactive fall fun and adventures the whole family will love. From Nassau County to the East End, destination farms are brimming with pumpkin patch excitement.

The farms often have festivals, fall treats, and family-friendly activities for kids of all ages. Some farms have an admission fee, particularly on weekends or for certain activities. Check the pumpkin farm sites for the latest details before a visit. We've rounded up a list of as many locations as possible of Long Island's best pumpkin patches to enjoy this season with kids.

Find more seasonal adventures check out our Fall Day Trips with Kids on Long Island Guide and our Long Island Halloween Guide. 

This year, skip the grocery store pumpkins and head to a New Jersey pumpkin patch, where you're sure to experience other fall fun, including barnyard animals, corn mazes, and plenty of juicy apples that are ripe for the picking. 

Find more Halloween activities in our New Jersey Halloween Guide and check out our New Jersey Fall Fun Guide for the best things to do with kids this autumn.

These local pumpkin patches make for a perfect fall day trip. Since we can't fight the arrival of the Halloween season, we might as well celebrate it. And what's the holiday without a perfect pumpkin plucked from the vine at one of these pumpkin patches near NYC?

Sure, you can grab a pumpkin from the local farmers market, grocery store, or one of the pumpkin patches in New York City, but for a more immersive experience, head to the country and visit one of these family-friendly pumpkin patches near NYC.

In addition to pumpkin picking, many of these local farms and orchards in the Hudson Valley, on Long Island, and in New Jersey offer additional activities for kids, including hayrides, corn mazes, and apple picking.

These 12 pumpkin patches near NYC are all about an hour from Midtown Manhattan by car. We even found a few reachable via public transportation. You can find even more options in our Guide to Farms and Pick-Your-Own Fun near NYC and find plenty of New York City Halloween activities in our New York City Kids Halloween Guide.

There are few national landmarks as iconic as Mount Rushmore, the massive granite sculpture in Keystone, South Dakota depicting four of the country's most beloved presidents (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln) surrounded by the majestic Black Hills and a forest of Ponderosa pine trees. The carvings may even be one of the first images that come to mind when you think of the American landscape.

Mount Rushmore attracts more than two million visitors a year. This year, that included my family. While the landmark is the big draw for a vacation in this part of the country, it's also just one of the many activities offered in the area. (Watch out, Branson, Missouri: South Dakota is becoming a genuine family fun center!)

Here's your guide to visiting Mount Rushmore with kids, plus things to do nearby in Keystone and Rapid City, SD. Also check out our Midwest Family Travel Guide for more vacation ideas.

Find hayrides near Boston, from family friendly to super spooky!

Take a day trip to a nearby farm, or head to a pumpkin patch inside the loop.

Fall in the Northeast is a lovely time of year to enjoy one of these weekend getaways near NYC. The crisp air, fall colors, and outdoor activities are hard to resist for most kids (and grown-ups). While you can surely experience some seasonal magic close to home, there's nothing like a weekend away to recharge fully. If you skipped the summer travel season, these fall weekend getaways near NYC are the perfect antidote to the back-to-school blues. So, go ahead and get planning. Before long, you'll immerse your family in seasonal fun.

We've rounded up 22 fall weekend getaways near NYC, whether you're looking for a quick car-free getaway or you've got a long weekend and want to travel a bit further. If you've only got a day to escape, consider one of these 30 fall day trips from NYC, and find more ideas for fall travel in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.