Navigate an NYC Fall
Is it too late to tell 2025 to SLOW THE DOWN?! Here we are, welcoming fall into our lives. Soon enough we’ll be putting up our Christmas trees! But before we get there, let’s create a fall bucket list, shall we? I started creating seasonal activity/bucket lists last year, after being influenced by my friend Maya, and now, it’s a thing. I’m a sucker for traveling internationally and trying new things abroad but I want to make more time for exploring the sites around me in NJ/NYC. Is this a recession indicator lol. Not for me, I’ll still be heading to Dubai and Lagos in 2 months but I figured let’s see what I can find for my travel besties who may want to stay local for the fall. Share some of your favorites in a comment below! Enjoy!
Fall Bucket List
day & weekend Trips
Catskills (hiking, cabins)
Hudson Highlands / Bear Mountain
Lake George, Mohonk Preserve, etc.
Poconos, PA
Hudson Valley
Wildflower Farm, NY
Domestic travel: out west or down south for mild-warm temps.
International: Europe, less crowds, cheaper flights, and seasonal markets.
NYC Marathon
Cheer people on as they run one of the favored races of the marathon collection. November 2nd.
Fall Foliage Walks / Parks in NYC
Places like Central Park, Fort Tryon Park, Prospect Park, Van Cortlandt, etc. Great for strolls when the leaves are changing.
Farm Fun: Apple & Pumpkin Picking, Wineries, Corn Mazes & More
Between NYC & NJ, there’s a bunch of farm and wineries to visit for fall seasonal fun, photo ops, cider, etc.
Terhune Orchards & Winery, Princeton, NJ
Weed Orchards and Winery, Hudson Valley, NY
Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery, Warwick, NY
Apple Dave’s Orchard & Distillery, Warwick, NY
Harbes Orchard, Riverhead, Long Island, NY
Melick’s Town Farm, Oldwick & Califon, NJ
Four Sisters Winery at Matarazzo Farm, Warren County, NJ
Chestnut Run Farm, Pilesgrove, Salem County, NJ
Heritage / William Heritage Winery, Mullica Hill, NJ
NJ Fall Festivals & Harvest Fairs
Great Pumpkin Festival in Vernon
Bergen County Fall Harvest
Oktoberfest at Park in Berkeley Heights
JC Harvest Fest
Grand Harvest Wine Festival
Early October, in Morristown, NJ. Wine, food trucks, live music, vendors, in a pretty setting.
Bronx Zoo Harvest Glow
From end of September to the end of October, There’s an after-dark pumpkin/jack-o-lantern trail, animatronic creature/dinosaur displays, pumpkin carving, etc.
Sports & THINGS
One thing I won’t pretend to know is sports. I know general knowledge, but past the quarterbacks and most known players in the NBA & WNBA, I’m useless. But I do enjoy a live sporting event! They’re exciting and fun to attend. Giants, Jets, Eagles, Knicks, Liberty, Nets…have you pick.
Haunted Hayrides, Houses & Halloween
Many farms/parks in NJ offer hayrides and corn mazes with a Halloween twist.
The village Halloween parade on Oct 31 in Greenwich Village, NYC. Just huge, creative, street costumes, puppets, very lively.
Haunted houses, aren’t my jam but there are several throughout NY, NJ, & PA.
Biking & Hiking Trails
I’m interesting in picking up a new outdoor hobby. Since I’m already accustomed to biking, I might giving hiking a try. Pretty much all throughout NJ and NY you can find trails with amazing views of foliage, river views, etc., with varying levels of difficulty.
Hudson Valley
I’m going to Hudson Valley for a few days and, can’t wait to share what my girls’ and I have planned! It’s about 2-3hrs from NJ with great farm-to-table restaurants, wineries, orchards, and more. I’ll drop some recs soon!
Fall Markets & Craft Fairs in NYC
Local markets, such as Uptown Market (the last one ever!) and others for crafts, food, vintage finds; seasonal vendors.
NYC Seasonal Food & Pop-Ups
Outdoor festivals aren’t going anywhere at the moment. Pop-ups, autumn food festivals (cider donuts, pumpkin dishes, etc.), special restaurant events. For example, autumn themed dinners or outdoor food markets.
My list includes some fall. specific things and some life things. We’re in Q4, the home stretch of 2025. Now is the best time to add in hobbies, set some goals and re-organize you life, before January is here. We can all scream “New Year, new me” but those who start making changes now, will actually embody it. Ok, I’m getting off my soapbox now. Maybe I’ll make this its own blog post. Until then, enjoy these suggestions!
