There's something about the fall season that makes us antsy for a day trip out of the city with the kids to enjoy the changing leaves with a hike in cooler temps or just to explore a new museum a bit further afield, hot chocolate in hand for the ride. Maybe it's knowing that in just a short couple of holiday-fueled months, New York City will once again be plunged into a frozen tundra of black-crusted snow.

So whether you're looking for a road trip that's less than an hour away or a kid-friendly weekend overnight, we have 39 super fun destination ideas, including fall hikes in nearby Westchester, places to see wild animals (and dinosaurs) and sea creatures in Connecticut and New Jersey, and New York lighthouses, historic homes, foodie hot spots and seasonal fun like hayrides and pumpkin picking.

For more NYC getaway inspiration, read through our Day Trip Guide or visit the Mommy Poppins Travel site.

With the recent weather dampening some of the fun events this past weekend, it’s time to look forward to the fun that lies ahead mid-week for Westchester families.

Our top picks for this week are a motley mix of events—most of which are FREE and not dependent on the weather!--including Mariachi Fiesta and Gargoyle Masks. Before the weather turns too cold, it’s time to soak up one of the final carnivals of the season at the grand Eastchester Columbus Day Carnival.

Read on to learn more about these and other options in store for the week, then turn to our Event Calendar and October GoList for many more to choose from!

This week we've collected some of our favorite activities from across the state, including the annual Portland Fair, Hayrides, and a Faerie Village. Apple and pumpkin picking are in full swing right now. Check out our Apple Picking Guide and Pumpkin Picking posts to find a great place near you. There are loads more ideas in our jam-packed Event Calendar. Enjoy your week!

Leagues of kids playing Minecraft in movie theaters all over the country? We're thrilled to share our cool new sponsor's unique program! Inspiring kids in STEM subjects is a topic on lots of parental minds (you may even have a tab open to the free coding apps you've been meaning to download), but much of this learning seems to be a solo affair. Super League Gaming takes Minecraft enrichment to a whole new level, bringing kids together to play the mega-popular computer game on big screens at movie theaters nationwide.

New York City just gained a brand-new children's museum. Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling opens to the public on Saturday, October 3 with a FREE kickoff party that includes music, face painting and of course stories and art-making. The museum aims to serve the youngest New Yorkers with a target audience of 3 to 8 years old.

As a Harlem resident, I was especially excited about this new space and, after getting a sneak peek, I'm delighted to welcome it to the nabe.

He Named Me Malala opens this week, and some of our older kids are going to want to see it. Malala Yousafzai is kind of like this generation’s Anne Frank: an articulate, wise-beyond-her-years teenage girl who remains optimistic about our world’s prospects for peace despite her own encounter with unspeakable evil. Malala is a child, but her story is not necessarily for children. I wanted to check it out before taking my own kids.

Hey, remember when we were kids, and Halloween was only one night? Yeah. Good times. Of course, we also rode in cars without seat belts and ran with fire, so maybe everything wasn't better back then. Either way, the genie is out of the bottle, and Halloween is well underway in Southern California.

Starting now, you can celebrate Halloween at the zoo, at Legoland, at Underwood Farms, at Knott's Berry Farm, at Descanso Gardens, at Fillmore and Western Railway, and at Disneyland. There are mazes and haunts and rides and pumpkin patches. Spirited costume shops are popping up all over town, and Trader Joe's is selling a pumpkin version of every product.

True, you can kid yourself that October is about other things besides Halloween, like maybe books or angels or horses or stars or pie.  You might even convince yourself for a little while. But soon enough you're going to notice that everything gives you an idea for a costume, and then you realize that any adventure that ends with a full bag of candy can't be all bad.

Keep reading for our spookiest picks for this weekend....

If you're the type to swoon over sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, and crisp fall air, you're going to love what we have on the docket this weekend. Since it's not too early for pumpkins, it's not too early to start preparing for Halloween, either. One of the coolest ways to get in the spirit is the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular (pictured), opening this weekend. Some fairs and festivals around town celebrate apples and fall, and others throw a little archaeology and engineering in the mix. With so many fantastic choices, you'll surely have a great time— whatever you choose to do this weekend!

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week: Be sure to check out the October Go List for the best picks of this spooky month.

Enjoy your weekend, and don't forget to check out the full Event Calendar!