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The leaves are changing colors and the smell of apple cider donuts and roasted corn is in the air. Tis the season for cooler weather and exploring the colorful foliage. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a short weekend getaway, there are countless places to visit. If it means staying local or getting off Long Island, you’re bound to find something fun to do. Why not head up to the Hudson Valley for some of the most well-known attractions or enjoy the fall activities right here on Long Island.
Riverhead Cider House Visit the Sweet Bees Honey Festival to enjoy tastings of honey, chocolates, baked goods, cheeses and much more! Offering free face painting, children’s activities and live performances, it’s an enjoyable day for the entire family. The Sweet Bees Honey Festival serves as great entertainment and can be educational as well. For less than $20 per person, guests get to indulge in specialty foods, cider, ice cream along with wine and craft drinks. The festival gives over eighty food and beverage vendors the opportunity to showcase their local, regional or international honey’s. For attendees, the fun continues with a honeybee-themed costume contest where prizes are awarded for best-dressed. To purchase tickets or learn more about the event, visit SweetBeesHoneyFest.com Are you a chocolate lover? If so, then the 5th annual I Love Chocolate Festival will blow you away. With over seventy chocolate exhibits plus over seventy local wine, spirits, food, and craft vendors, it’s a weekend well spent. At the I Love Chocolate Festival, visitors can try a variety of decadent and handmade chocolates. Tons of freshly prepared chocolate treats and delicious samples of smoothies, crepes, fudge, brownies and much more are provided by vendors. There is also live music, entertainment by local entertainers and a chocolate donut eating contest. Tickets range from $12.00-$16.50 per person and include admission to the Old Bethpage Village Restoration as well as The Museum of American Armor. For more information on the two-day event, visit lovechocolatefest.com.
Angry Orchard Looking to escape Long Island? Head to the Angry Orchard, one of the most popular cider houses in the Hudson Valley. For cider enthusiasts or first time drinkers alike, you can explore the grounds on a self-guided tour and learn about the cider making process. At the Angry Orchard, guests are encouraged to stay awhile as they offer generous samples of their products including a free flight tasting. The lively environment at the Angry Orchard consists of board games, live bands and food trucks serving things like cider donuts and brick oven pizza. Whether you sit inside or outside, perhaps in the cider garden, their sixty-acre orchard is picturesque, especially during this time of year. To schedule a tour or find out more information, visit angryorchard.com/our-orchard/plan-your-visit. The Great Open until mid-November, The Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze is the largest fall attraction in the Tri-State Area. It features over 10,000 hand-made, illuminated Jack-o-lanterns, and is a staple part of the fall season. Located on eighteenth century property of Sleepy Hollow, the event gives guests a true sense of the towns rich history. At just $22 dollars per adult and $16 per child, a walk through the outdoor exhibit offers some of the coolest attractions yet. The Van Cortlandt Manor puts on a beautiful show and gets everyone in the Halloween spirit. From the pumpkin zee bridge to the circus train, statue of liberty and spider web, the intricate designs are unreal. There is also a gift shop and concession stand filled with delicious apple cider donuts and hot cocoa. While tickets sell out remarkably fast, make sure to purchase them ahead of time at hudsonvalley.org/events/blaze/.
Bear Mountain State Park Only one-hour drive north of the George Washington Bridge, you can find Bear Mountain. Packed with beautiful fall foliage, Bear Mountain State Park is the ultimate getaway. The large park, situated in rugged mountains features a lot of hiking and bike trails. Looking for a challenge? Try hiking the red trail for a two hour walk up to the top of the mountain. Within the park is a beautiful lake offering paddle boat rentals, an ice skating rink for cooler months and breathtaking views of the Hudson River Valley. Perfect for kids, there is even the Bear Mountain Zoo which is home to coyotes, bears, reptiles and more. Whether you come for the day or spend the weekend in a nearby hotel, Bear Mountain State Park provides a relaxing and scenic escape. For more information on things to do while there, visit hudsonriver.com/bear-mountain-state-park. |
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20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 