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9/8/23 - By Kimberly Rae Miller

Fall might be the best season to enjoy the splendor of Long Island, and there are countless things to do and ways to enjoy the season. Farms along the North Fork are overflowing with freshly picked produce and tons of fun fall activities. There are apples to pick, pies to bake, pumpkins to carve, and colorful leaves to see on beautiful fall foliage walks.

There's plenty to enjoy this season, so we've rounded up 35 of the best fall activities on Long Island.

Keep up with all the seasonal fall bucket list activities on our Family Activity Calendar, and visit our Fall Fun Guide for Long Island Kids for more activity ideas.

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Long Island fall fun Kick the season off with an apple-picking
Pick a bushel of apples at one of Long Island’s apple orchards, like Lewin Farms. Photo by Gina Massaro

Top Things To Do This Fall at Long Island Farms

1. Apple Picking

Kick the season off with an apple-picking adventure, and don't forget to stock up on sweet apple cider donuts.

2. Fall Festivals

Climb the straw pyramid, play mini-golf, and hop on a hayride at F&W Schmitt's Family Farm Fall Festival, or check out other awesome LI fall fairs and festivals.

3. Pumpkin Picking

While away an afternoon picking the perfect pumpkin.

4. Explore a Maze

Challenge yourself to make it through a local corn maze.

5. Garlic Festival

Enjoy garlicky local eats, garlic-inspired crafts, family-friendly music, and take-home garlic plants at the Long Island Garlic Festival. This year Waterdrinker Family Farm has taken over hosting duties.

6. Visit the Country Fair

Hallockville Farm hosts its 42nd annual Country Fair on Saturday, September 9, and Sunday, September 10, 2023. Tour the farm, ride a pony, or check out the many craft vendors.

7. Go to a Petting Zoo

Visit Long Island's petting zoos before they close for the winter.

bay sitting on Hay at farm
Take a fall family hay ride and pick apples and pumpkins. Photo by Kristen Markel

8. Go for a Hayride

Climb aboard a seasonal hayride.

Long Island Fall fun Take in the scenic views of the shoreline on a beach walk

Take in the scenic views of the shoreline on a beach walk. Photo by Gina Massaro

Outdoor Fall Bucket List Activities on Long Island

9. Fire Island

Want to hang onto summer? Hop on the ferry to Fire Island, where ocean water temps are bearable into fall.

10. Walk the Beach

Once swimmers clear the sands, explore one of these beach walks.

11. Go to a Playground

Before it gets too cold for outdoor adventures, scope out the best playgrounds on Long Island.

12. Jump in a Giant Bounce House

Bounce the City Inflatable Fun Park comes to the Deer Park Tanger Outlets September 9th through the 24th. Dive into America's largest ball pit, tackle the 600ft inflatable obstacle course, or pick one of the other fun inflatable activities.

13. Take in the Splendor of Changing Leaves

Enjoy a fall foliage hike or explore the East End on one of these nature trails.

14. Visit a State Park

Visit one of these Long Island state parks that offer all-season fun.

15. Dog Days at Westbury Gardens

Bring the whole pack to Westbury Gardens for their annual fall Dog Days event, which allows you to bring your dog to the garden. Visit a vendor or rescue booth before taking Fido on a lovely walk through the garden. The dog-friendly weekend is October 28-29, 2023.

16. Dine Outside

Throw on a sweater and enjoy a relaxing dinner at one of these great family-friendly restaurants with outdoor seating or one of these beautiful waterfront restaurants.

Long Island Fall Fun: The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze
The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze returns to Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Photo by Gina Massaro

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17. See Pumpkins and Jack O'Lanterns That Light Up the Night

Check out the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze when it returns to Old Bethpage Village Restoration in late September or visit Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns at Usdan campus in Wheatley Heights.

18. Spooky Fest

Take a walk through the woods of Tanglewood Preserve during CSTL's Spooky Fest. Choose from a haunted walk (for brave big kids) or a not-so-spooky walk (for younger children).

19. Make Your Own Jack O'Lantern

Carve a locally grown pumpkin into a spooky jack-o-lantern with one of our free stencils.

20. Watch a Boat Race

The Annual Dragon Boat Race at Port Jefferson Harbor is on Saturday, September 16, 2023. Catch the race and enjoy the festival, which celebrates Asian heritage and culture with vendors, food, drinks, and more.

Fall bucket list Eye Opener at Long Island Aquarium
Climb the Eye Opener, the new play structure at the Long Island Aquarium. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

More Fun Things To Do This Fall on Long Island

21. Scale the Eye Opener

The Long Island Aquarium's Eye Opener is a 60-foot climbing structure, resembling a lighthouse, that features rope bridges and multi-story slides.

22. See Long Island Children's Museum's New Exhibit

Your House, My House explores how different cultures eat and live. This interactive exhibit features houses from different places around the world for children to explore and play in. Note that the museum is closed for its fall fix-up until September 23.

23. Take a Road Trip

Hop in the car for one of these day trips for Long Island families.

Fall bucket list Ward Melville Heritage Scarecrow Competition
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s Annual Scarecrow Competition is back for its 33rd edition. Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Village

24. Choose Your Favorite Scarecrow

Visit charming Stony Brook Village and cast your vote in its 32nd annual Scarecrow Competition.

25. See a Show at the Theater

The Wizard of Oz has performances at The Engeman Theater running from the end of September until the end of October. You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown is playing at The Argyle Theater.

26. Support Local Businesses

Shop your way through Long Island's most walkable main streets.

Long Island Fall Fun: Meet Otto the Ghost at Hicks Nurseries
Meet Otto the Ghost at Hicks Nurseries. Photo courtesy of Hicks Nurseries

27. Decorate For the Season

Find some fun, seasonal decor and hang out with Otto the Ghost at the Fall Festival at Hicks Nurseries.

28. Sip and Dine Among the Vines

Enjoy one last sunset with a sip of wine at a family-friendly, East End vineyard.

29. Learn About Local History

Plan a visit to the Long Island Museum.

30. Plot a Getaway

If you must leave Long Island, these nearby destinations are beautiful in the fall and perfect for a weekend away.

Fall bucket list Adventureland
Catch some thrills at Adventureland. Photo by Kristen Markel

31. Ride the Coasters at Adventureland

Ride a roller coaster at Adventureland one last time before it closes for the season in late October.

32. Visit Bayville Scream Park

Older kids and teenagers love the thrills of Bayville Scream Park, but little kids can get in on the fun by attending a not-so-scary day.

33. Climb the Ropes at Jones Beach

Zip above the beach at WildPlay Jones Beach, which is open until November.

34. Play Mini Golf

Gather your favorite foursome and play a round of mini golf on one of the many Long Island courses.

35. Pack a Picnic

Grab your favorite fall foods and enjoy one of these great spots for a family picnic.

Originally published in September 2020. Kristen Markel contributed additional reporting.

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