By Tyler Morrissey
The arrival of October means the days get shorter and the temperatures cool off, but it also signifies one of the best times to enjoy the great outdoors before winter sets in. Luckily we live in the Northeast region of the United States, which means we get to experience the best of what autumn has to offer. You will find plenty to do this October with family and friends, and this guide will help remind you why people fall in love with the season.
Go Leaf Peeping
One of the first things that comes to mind when you think of fall is the stunning foliage we are treated to each October. Rolling hills and mountains change from summer green to vibrant red, yellow and orange, and New England features some of the best foliage in the country. According to the Boston Globe your best chance to take in the colors of the season in the Berkshires is October 6-9th. Hit the road on the 60-mile stretch of Route 2, also known as the Mohawk Trail, to see leaves like you’ve never seen before. The Connecticut DEEP this year has also released a handy foliage map showing the week of October 16th as the best time to view the changing leaves in the Nutmeg State.
Pick your own
It’s not often you get the chance to go right into a field and pick your own delicious fruit right off the tree. In October there are tons of orchards and farms in the region that offer apple picking. Silverman’s Farm in Easton, Conn., is open year round and has tons of other fall themed activities, including tractor rides, live music and a pumpkin patch. If your autumn table includes a dessert such as pumpkin pie, then you may also want to stock up on pumpkins in between trips to the apple orchard. The New York City based blog “Mommy Poppins” has compiled a list of pumpkin patches to visit in October in Westchester County. Many of these farms and orchards are accessible via Metro North, so don’t forget a hot apple cider or apple spiced donut for the ride home.
Raise a glass, or stein
Fall festivals have been a long standing tradition of the season, including one that carries this month’s namesake, Oktoberfest. The annual German festival is held every year in Munich to celebrate Bavarian history, culture and one of its most popular exports, beer. Oktoberfest’s roots trace back to the early 1800s to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen, according to the official Munich city website. In America, Oktoberfest has become just as popular as its German counterpart. While many festivals are held in late September, there are still cities and towns around the region that are holding Okotberfest or beer festivals. Patch outlines a few events taking place in Southern Connecticut, while the Hartford Courant published a list of each beer festival held in the state.
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
The end of October culminates with Halloween, but before that day arrives you can take part in spooky activities, if you dare. In Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., go on a haunted hayride that takes you on a journey through downtown Sleepy Hollow. Rumbling off into the dark you realize too late you are heading down the Albany Post Road past the Old Dutch Church, following exactly Ichabod Crane’s flight from the Headless Horseman. Then you pass through a set of iron gates and the wagon slips into the dark woods of the hollow. In Rye at the historic Playland Amusement Park, is the 18th consecutive year of the “Scared by the Sound Haunted House.” The only thing scarier than a closed and abandoned amusement park after dark is what you’ll experience at this 12,000 square-foot haunted house and cemetery, located next to the darkened rides and Seaside Walk. The haunted house is open Friday-Sunday starting on Friday, October 13.
Bake a treat
Now that the humid temperatures are retreating for another year, it’s the perfect time to fire up the oven and make some tasty baked goods. Trusted food blog Delish has compiled a list of 121 Fall Desserts that will help inspire you. After all of that apple picking use up the rest of your apples in a delicious pie or turnover to share with family and friends this October.
