October 10, 2018 -- Apple picking. Pumpkin picking. Apple cider donuts. Craft beverages. Haunted attractions. Beautiful fall foliage. Miles and miles of parks, hiking and biking trails. Thirty minutes from Manhattan. That is just some of what Westchester County has to offer you this fall season.
With the long holiday weekend ahead, Westchester County Executive George Latimer extended an invitation to those looking for a fall escape. “Fall is a beautiful time of year and always spectacular here in Westchester County. With all the activities available to you and your loved ones, you may find it difficult to fit them all in,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer. “Looking for fun with the whole family this holiday weekend? Try exploring the county’s many farms and orchards offering apple and pumpkin picking. For the outdoor enthusiasts, hit the hundreds of miles of beautiful county parks and hiking and biking trails. If you are more of a foodie like me, make sure to check out all the great dining and craft beverage producers throughout the county. New offerings continue to pop up. Please take advantage of everything Westchester has to offer this fall and tell your friends and family to Meet Me in Westchester.”
Things to do:
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard’s Fall Festival will be held every weekend from September 8th - October 28th as well as Monday September 10th, Wednesday September 19th, and Columbus Day Monday October 8th. Enjoy Hayrides, a bounce house, apple cannons, games, live music, farm animals, pony rides, face painting, food and craft vendors. Information is available at www.harvestmoonfarmandorchard.com
Halloween in Sleepy Hollow Country is legendary, and now there’s more frightful fun than ever before! Historic Hudson Valley’s fall events, the largest in the tri-state area, kick off Friday, Sept. 28, and take place on selected evenings through Saturday, Nov. 24. Historic Hudson Valley expects to draw more than 250,000 visitors to Sleepy Hollow Country this fall.
Historic Hudson Valley’s landmark events feature: The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze, which features over 7,000 illuminated, individually hand-carved jack o’ lanterns. Horseman’s Hollow, a haunted experience that takes the tale of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow to its darkest extremes. Irving’s ‘Legend’, where Master storytellers Jonathan Kruk and Jim Keyes offer dramatic re-tellings of Washington Irving’s classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Brand new for 2018: The Unsilent Picture is an immersive theater experience in Sleepy Hollow at Philipsburg Manor. At its core is an all-new, all-original black and white film, based on the Washington Irving story “The Adventure of the Mysterious Picture,” and shot on location at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson. It stars Tony Award winner Bill Irwin and each screening features a soundtrack by live musicians and a Foley artist. Performances are at 6:15, 7:15, 8:15, and 9:15pm.
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, the 169-year old historic cemetery and resting place of Washington Irving offers excellent Halloween fall excursions on its beautiful 90 acres. Tours available include a daytime guided two-hour Classic Tour stopping at the resting places of Washington Irving and Andrew Carnegie, Murder and Mayhem Lantern Tours, and more. For a full listing of tours and special events at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery please visit www.sleepyhollowcemetery.org.
The 11th Annual Halloween Train Show and Fall Festival at Lasdon Park in Somers is not to be missed. Visitors can also stroll through the Lasdon Conservatory’s rainforest exhibit that will include a special “fairy adventure.” Meet and greet a “live” dinosaur in the Dinosaur Garden or discover the new children’s maze. There will be music, entertainment, face painting, storybook readings and selected vendors. Visit from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 6 –8; 13-14; 20-21 and 27- 28. For more information visit www.lasdonpark.org
Fall Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, taking place October 29th through November 11th, is the largest and most successful dining event in the region. With over 100 Westchester County restaurants participating, it is a must for all foodies. Participating restaurants offer a three-course, prix fixe dinner menu for $32.95 per person (plus tax, beverage and gratuity) and may offer a three-course lunch menu for $22.95 per person (plus tax, beverage and gratuity). For more information on Fall Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, visit www.hudsonvalleyrestaurantweek.com.
Experience the frightening cast of zombies and ghouls eagerly awaiting your arrival, as “Scared by the Sound” Haunted House returns to Playland Park in Rye beginning Friday, Oct. 12. Visitors are invited into the 12,000-square-foot haunt and cemetery, which are sure to horrify both, first-timers as well as annual visitors. Scared by the Sound is open 9 nights from Oct. 12 through Oct. 28. Hours are Fridays, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturdays, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Light refreshments and beverages will be available for sale each evening.
Admission is $20. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Go to www.scaredbythesound.com to buy tickets online and to download a $1 off coupon. Tickets can also be purchased at the park. For group rates or more information call (914) 906-0818.
The event is not recommended for children under 10, whether they are alone or with an adult.
Lyndhurst debuts an all-new outdoor sculpture exhibition featuring large-scale, handmade metal sculptures. The Futurescape exhibition will complement Lyndhurst’s landscape with eerie, mystical shapes curated by local artists. Also see the mansion with a Halloween Twist. On the mansion tour, you will see the majestic vestibule and entrance hall, reception room, parlor, library, and the sumptuous Victorian dining room – all decorated with seasonal trimmings for Halloween. For this special time of year, Lyndhurst’s curators have brought out historical objects specifically for Halloween relating to the supernatural and occult – this is a once-a-year opportunity to see these spooky possessions that are usually tucked away in the archives. Tours are offered Thursdays through Mondays from 10 AM to 4 PM. Advance ticket purchase online is strongly recommended. www.lyndhurst.org
Nothing says fall like a hike in the beautiful outdoors and rewarding yourself afterward with a delicious local Craft Beer or Cider. Westchester is home to a top-notch lineup of craft beverage producers with more slated to open in the next few months. Offerings include: Peekskill Brewery, Captain Lawrence Brewing Company, Hardscrabble Cider, Yonkers Brewing Company, Broken Bow Brewery, River Outpost Brewing Company, Brand new this year Sing Sing Kill Brewery, and soon to open Decadent Ales.
Stay and Play
Only 30 minutes north of New York City, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tarrytown is conveniently situated in Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollow, a destination uniquely suited for Halloween festivities. Home to Washington Irving’s Legend of Sleepy Hollow, fall events like Horseman's Hollow or The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze are just a short drive away. Book one or both of the packages which includes Anytime VIP tickets to Horseman's Hollow or Jack O 'Lantern Blaze, welcome amenity, breakfast and sleeping room. Rate varies per person. Children 3 years and older must be booked as an adult to receive a ticket. Historic Hudson Valley Warning: This event is NOT suitable for those with a heart condition or pregnant. Not recommended for children under the age of 10 years old. Call 914-631-5700 or go to www.Tarrytown.DoubleTree.com.
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Tarrytown is currently offering two packages The Romance Package includes chocolates and champagne upon arrival, in-room movie and late checkout. The Minutes to Manhattan Package includes Overnight accommodations in a king suite, two round trip metro north tickets, fresh start hot breakfast, Shuttle to and from Sleepy Hollow train station. For more information call (914) 366-4600 or visit https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hpntr-springhill-suites-tarrytown-westchester-county/