5 affordable family road trips to take on Long Island, in upstate New York this fall
A look at the fall scene at Hank's PumpkinTown in Water Mill. Credit: Hank’s PumpkinTown
As fall settles in, families looking to take a road trip can find seasonal fun on Long Island and in upstate New York. Here are places to go pumpkin picking, ice skating and spend the night without breaking the bank.
North Fork
Mitchell Park carousel
A restored 100-year-old carousel goes round and round with views of Greenport Harbor. Credit: Randee Daddona
It’s one of the most iconic sights in Greenport Village, a vintage century-old roundabout with 36 horses and sleighs to ride. A ride is $2, starting after Columbus Day it’s open Saturdays and Sunday afternoons through Nov. 30.
INFO Jess Owen Carousel House: 115 Front St.; 631-477-0248, villageofgreenport.org
George D. Costello Sr. Memorial Skating Rink
Roller skaters move under the disco ball while wheeling around the George D. Costello Sr. Memorial Skating Rink in Greenport. Credit: Mindy Ryan
This cozy indoor arena provides a place for visitors of all ages to lace up and wheel around. Skate sessions run Friday nights and Sunday afternoons during the fall (plus most school holidays). Guests can bring their own skates or rent them for free.
INFO 102 3rd St.; greenportamericanlegion.org
Harbes Barnyard Adventure
This pig race is among the signature forms of entertainment held at Barnyard Adventure at Harbes Family Farm in Mattituck. Credit: Ian J. Stark
Harbes Family Farm offers animals to see, bounce pillows, a hedge maze, pedal-vehicle track and bounce pillows plus occasional live music and its pig races. General admission is $13.95 on weekdays, $21.95 Saturdays and Sundays, $26.95 to include a musical hayride tour, children ages two and younger are in free.
INFO 715 Sound Ave., Mattituck; 631-298-0800, harbesfamilyfarm.com. Credit cards only at this time; tickets only available on-site.
STAY
Southold Beach Motel
The exterior of Southold Beach Motel in Southold. Credit: Upuli Ranaweera
This relaxed spot is located directly across the street from Southold’s Town Beach. Amenities include kitchenettes and Wi-Fi in every room and open until Nov. 15. Fall rates start at $125.
INFO 53250 North Road, Southold 631-765-2233, southoldbeachmotel.com
HAMPTONS
Hank’s Pumpkintown
People stand on a bridge overlooking the corn maze at Hank's Pumpkintown in Water Mill. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
There are three interactive corn mazes, corn train and wagon rides to try plus pedal carts, a haybale hoist, tractor pull and wooden play area. Sweets for sale include caramel apples, hand-dipped candy, pumpkin spice doughnuts and apple cider. Pumpkin picking, the farm market and maze park are open weekdays. Apple picking, corn train and wagon rides are Saturdays and Sundays only. Admission is $18 weekends and holidays, $12 weekdays; children under age 2 enter free.
INFO 240 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill; 631-726-4667, hankspumpkintown.com
Southampton Ice Rink
This indoor skating facility will be opening to skaters this year on Nov. 1. Weekday public session rates are $15, $12 for kids; weekends $20 for all. Hockey and figure skates are $5 to rent.
INFO 668 CR-39, Southampton; 631-283-2158, southamptonicerink.com
Amber Waves Farm
Marisa Silver of Amagansett, left, Joan King of Greenport and Ally King of Mattituck create their own bracelets at the Roxanne Assoulin summer pop-up at Amber Waves in Amagansett. Credit: Randee Daddona
Amber Waves Farm offers cooking classes ($40, Tuesdays and Thursdays through Nov. 11) and an agrarian and nature-focused "Outdoor Classroom" ($10; Mondays and Wednesdays through Nov. 10), farm chores sessions on Saturday mornings, which can include foraging, plant care, chicken feeding and digging for worms (free). The farm is free to explore.
INFO 367 Main St., Amagansett; 631-267-5664, amberwavesfarm.org
STAY
Montauk Manor Resort
This ghoulish scene awaits anyone entering the lobby of the Montauk Manor Resort, as it's part of the hotel's fall and Halloween decor. Credit: Leslie Soria
This hotel nearly a century old and perched atop one of the highest points in Montauk, is offering a special for the fall: Sundays through Thursdays, stay four nights and get a fifth free. Rates start at $132.
INFO 236 Edgemere St.; 631-668-4400, montaukmanor.com
JAMESTOWN
National Comedy Center
Guests at the National Comedy Center in upstate Jamestown, shown here viewing classic and comedic late-night TV programs. Visitors can experience a wide assortment of movies, TV shows, radio programs and standup routines. Credit: National Comedy Center
The museum features dozens of exhibits that showcase popular TV, radio shows, movies and standup performances.
INFO 203 W. 2nd St.; 716-484-2222, comedycenter.org
Panama Rocks
Panama Rocks park in Panama, New York, outside Jamestown, has a long ridge of ancient rock formations that can reach 60 feet high. Credit: Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau
This park holds a lengthy ridge of ancient rock formations that can reach as high as 60 feet high. The formations are circled by a hiking trail and there is also an ax-throwing zone area. Open until Oct. 31.
INFO 11 Rock Hill Rd., Panama; 716-703-0021, panamarocks.com
Northwest Arena
The Northwest Arena rink and entertainment facility in Jamestown features ice bumper cars during public skate sessions. Credit: Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau
Just around the block from the National Comedy Center, ice bumper cars are available during public skate sessions at this rink and entertainment facility. A DJ spins Friday and Saturday nights this fall through October and November, and the Jamestown Rebels North American Hockey League team plays its home games here. (rebelshockey.us).
INFO 319 West Third St.; 716-484-2624, northwestarena.com
STAY
DoubleTree Inn by Hilton
Located in downtown Jamestown, this hotel has an indoor pool and a restaurant, among other amenities. Fall rates start at $88.
INFO 150 W. 4th St.; 716-488-7227, hilton.com
ROCHESTER
Seneca Park Zoo
This red panda is a resident of Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester. Credit: Visit Rochester
See African lions, an Amur tiger, a southern white rhinoceros and three African elephants while exploring this zoo. Among its upcoming events is the "After Dark!" spooky tour (Oct. 30) and Nov. 1-7 is "Snow Leopard and Red Panda Week."
INFO 2222 St. Paul St.; 585-336-7200, senecaparkzoo.org
The Strong National Museum of Play
A museum dedicated to the history of playing, guests can explore several interactive exhibits including "Pinball Playfields" (a deep dive into the history of pinball machines), "Reading Adventureland" (play space inspired by children’s books) and "eGameRevolution" (focused on the history of video games). There’s also a butterfly garden and the museum is home to the National Toy Hall of Fame.
INFO One Manhattan Sq.; 585-263-2700, museumofplay.org
Rochester Museum and Science Center
Exhibits feature elements of natural history, planets, technology, social issues and science. Opening Nov. 5: "Expedition: Dinosaur," showcases life-size animatronics and interactive opportunities designed to educate visitors about prehistoric animals.
INFO 657 East Ave.; 585.271.4320, rmsc.org
STAY
Courtyard Rochester Downtown
Situated near a number of the city’s restaurants and attractions, rates start around $158 in the fall.
INFO 390 East Ave.; 585-504-2750, marriott.com
BUFFALO
Explore & More: The Ralph C. Wilson Children's Museum
The Explore & More children's museum in Buffalo offers interactive play zones, with educational exhibits. Credit: Grant Taylor
Kids can check "Moving Water," which shows how the city of Buffalo is tied to its waterways, and "Playing Together," where young guests can pretend to be big-time athletes, or even members of some of the city’s professional sports teams.
INFO 130 Main St.; 716-655-5131, exploreandmore.org
Sporting events
The NFL Buffalo Bills (buffalobills.com) have home games at Highmark Stadium (1 Bills Dr., Orchard Park; 716-648-1800) on Oct. 31, Nov. 21 and Dec. 6. The NHL Buffalo Sabres have their home ice at KeyBank Center (1 Seymour H. Knox III Plaza; 716-855-4100) and have several games scheduled throughout the fall. (tickets start at $36; nhl.com).
Buffalo Zoo
People watch an aquatic show while attending the Buffalo Zoo. Credit: KC Kratt
Guests can view the gorilla house, rhino yards and the "Rainforest Falls," a tropical exhibit that features monkeys and armadillos to piranhas and vampire bats; the facility’s winter holiday "Zoo Lights" experience launches Nov. 27.
INFO 300 Parkside Ave.; 716-837-3900, buffalozoo.org
STAY
Buffalo Marriott at LECOM Harborcenter
With sunbathed views of the Buffalo waterfront, fall rates start at around $210-$215.
INFO 95 Main St.; 716-852-0049, marriott.com
