Top Five Places on Long Island to Get in the Fall Spirit

By Alina Kelly

1.  F&W Schmitt’s Family Farm
Located at 26 Pinelawn Road in Melville, F&W Schmitt’s Family Farm is the perfect place to go for fall festivities. Every fall season families across Long Island flock to Schmitt’s Farm to enjoy fun activities, which are especially amusing for young children. Not only does the farm have “child-friendly” activities, but they also have scary attractions for older teens and adults. The Daytime Haunt Walkthrough is the same as the Nighttime Haunt, but the lights are on and no actors are present, which is a perfect choice for those who are not ready to participate at night. The 7-acre corn maze, which changes its theme each year, is another popular attraction at the farm.

This year's theme is “Mad Scientist,” and the maze is shaped like a cartoon scientist. Free hayrides are provided as well. The farm is also perfect for animal lovers as it provides pony rides and has other animals such as goats and bunnies. The pumpkin patch playground is home to the largest straw pyramid on Long Island. If you want to have a day full of fall traditions, then F&W Schmitt’s Family Farm is the place to go.

2.   Jericho Cider Mill
If you love apple cider and pie, then Jericho Cider Mill is the perfect place for you. Located on Route 106 (213 Rt 106, Jericho, NY 11753), the cider mill has a myriad of fall treats. Although the location does make it hard to find parking, it is worth stopping for. The apple cider is made fresh with no preservatives and comes in a variety of flavors, including Apple Peach Cider and Mango Apple Cider. The baked goods, which includes cookies, apple crisps, and apple cider donuts, are very popular as well. Jericho Cider Mill is especially popular around Thanksgiving time because of its focus on homemade pies. Every Thanksgiving my family has an Apple Pie from Jericho Cider Mill for dessert. Open every day from 9 am to 6 pm, the Jericho Cider Mill is one of the best places for fall treats. 

3.   Bayville Scream Park
The Bayville Scream Park, located at 8 Bayville Ave. in Bayville, is just a short car ride away from Oyster Bay. The haunted attractions are fun for teens, but there are also “not so scary days” designed for families with younger children. The haunted attractions include “The Asylum,” “Evil in the Woods,” “Temple of Terror,” “Uncle Needles Funhouse of Fear,” “Bloodworth Haunted Mansion,” and “The Cage.” You can purchase different tickets depending on which attractions you want to go to. The 6-Attraction combo, which allows you to go to all six attractions, costs $49.75. The 3-Attraction combo is $42.75, and the 2-Attraction combo is $35.75. If you only want to go to one haunted attraction, you can purchase a single ticket as well. I would recommend purchasing a speed pass or going earlier in the evening so you can get ahead of the lines because both this year and last, I was stuck waiting on line for about an hour per attraction. Although the lines can be very long, the park is a fun and terrifying experience that is perfect for the Halloween Season.

4.   Harbes Orchard
Apple picking is a common fall tradition on Long Island, and there is no better place to go than Harbes Orchard in Riverhead. The orchard has 27 different types of apples, and descriptions of each type are provided. The Harbes Orchard’s Spooky Night Maze, which is open on Saturdays in October, is a fun scary activity for families. The apple orchard is 78-acres, and apples are grown using an innovative trellis system, which allows people of all heights to reach the apples. Harbes Orchard is a great place to go during the fall season; however, it is important to go early in the fall because apple picking closes at the end of October. 

5.   Caumsett State Park 
Fall foliage is one of the most beautiful parts of fall, and going on a walk is one of the best ways to see it all. Caumsett State Park in Lloyd Harbour boasts a 6.5-mile walking trail and is the perfect place to go to admire the fall foliage. The park is open every day from 8 am to 9 pm, and if you go in the evenings, you will be able to watch a beautiful sunset.