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Our Fall Bucket List for Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this Fall

1. Go Apple Picking

Pick some perfect apples at one of the many farms in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. (Don’t forget to sample the apple cider donuts!)

2. Hit a Fall Festival

Speaking of donuts, don’t miss the Cider & Donut Festival at Wampus Park in Armonk on Sunday, September 18.

RELATED: Apple Picking Destinations in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Jousting knights are just one of the attractions at the New York Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo Park. Photo courtesy of the event

3. Visit the Renaissance Faire

Head to the New York Renaissance Faire on weekends from now until Sunday, October 9. (Bonus: Kids under 4 are FREE!)

4. Run at Greenburgh Nature Center

Let kids try a forest run and obstacle course at Run Wild at the Greenburgh Nature Center. The runs are held on weekends from Saturday, September 24 through Sunday, October 2.

5. Celebrate Books 

Make reading even more fun with a stop at the Rye Children's Book Festival, which features author signings, storytimes, and more on Saturday, October 1. Later in the month, on October 15, check out the Chappaqua Children's Book Festival, too! 

6. Explore the Hudson Valley

Go on a Hudson Valley day trip: Beacon, Saugerties, and Cold Spring are all great picks.

7. Visit Albany

Or, head to Albany for Hollowed Harvest, a walking Halloween-themed light show, which starts on Friday, September 23 at the Altamont Fairgrounds.

RELATED: Hayrides and Farm Fun for Kids Near Westchester

Watch as pumpkins come alive at the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze. Photo by Susan Miele

8. See The Blaze

Take part in a Westchester tradition: The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze runs from Friday, September 16 through Sunday, November 20.

9. Hit the Garlic Festival

Saugerties toasts the potent veggie with its festival on Saturday, October 1, and Sunday, October 2.

10. See Some Sheep

Animal-loving kids will want in on the NY Sheep and Wool Festival, which kicks off Saturday, October 15. 

11. Visit a National Treasure—for FREE

Enjoy free admission to a national park on Saturday, September 24, and Tuesday, November 11. Local options include the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, and Saratoga National Historical Park.

12. Shop the Farmers Market

Visit a local farmers market before the outdoor venues close for the season, which usually happens in November.

RELATED: Fall Festivals in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Take a family bike ride on Bicycle Sundays. Photo courtesy of the Westchester Police Department

13. Ride a Bike

Clock in your last rides of the year as part of Bicycle Sundays on the Bronx River, which wraps up on Sunday, October 2.

14. Hunt for Fall Foliage

Go leaf-peeping at one of these seven gorgeous lookout points.

15. Go Pumpkin Picking

Bring home a pumpkin for carving from one of these local farms.

16. Get Lost in a Maze

Find your way out of one of these area corn mazes.

17. Hit the Trails

Choose one of these 10 kid-friendly local hikes—and then start exploring!

18. Learn the Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Ring in the Halloween season with a visit to Washington Irving’s historic home in Irvington to learn more about The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The all-ages event kicks off Friday, September 16.

19. Snuggle an Alpaca

19. Get up close and personal with an alpaca at one of these Westchester farms.

20. See a Kid-Friendly Show

Enjoy a family-friendly concert at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah on Saturday, October 16 in honor of Dia de Los Muertos.

Originally published in September 2021.