Harvest, Haunts and Howls: a Fall Family Adventure

Autumn is a magical time in Westchester County. This wild and wonderful weekend makes the most of it all, from an apple-picking outing in the countryside to a celebration of one of America’s most “legendary” Halloween tales.

Explore Westchester's farms. 

With an abundance of agricultural land, Westchester offers a wealth of fun experiences for your future farmers. Here are three to choose from:

• Option 1: Head to Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard in North Salem for apple picking and a pumpkin patch, then stay for a freshly prepared lunch using ingredients from the farm, piping hot apple cider donuts and live music. In the evening, stroll the wooded landscape under enchanting lights and scenes during the new, family-friendly Mystic Moon event. 
   
• Option 2: Enjoy a hay ride with your apple picking at Westchester’s oldest apple orchard, Stuart’s Fruit Farm in Granite Springs. Grab something to eat before or after in nearby Yorktown Heights, with its diversity of palate-pleasing choices from Pappous Greek Kitchen to the cozy family atmosphere of Our Place Kitchen & Bar and Nadine’s Restaurant for German and French specialties.
   
• Option 3:  Meet the animals at Muscoot Farm in Katonah, an historic estate and former dairy farm, now County-owned park and museum. There are plenty of animals for the young and young-at-heart to befriend, plus a beautiful pumpkin patch, ADA-accessible hayride wagons, and picnic tables - bring your own lunch or order from the concession window. 

Stroll the Hudson River shores. 

Next stop: Croton-on-Hudson for a sampling of fresh pressed, old-fashioned apple cider at Thompson’s Cider Mill. Then, unwind by the Hudson River at Croton Point Park, where you can stroll a stretch of the Westchester RiverWalk or let the little ones loose at the playground.

Spend an evening in Sleepy Hollow. 

Head south to Tarrytown for Horsefeathers, a local legend serving up classic and New American fare with a side of Sleepy Hollow lore. End the day at Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow with Twilight Village, an immersive evening filled with eerie encounters, live storytelling, curious market finds and a dramatic meeting with the Headless Horseman.

After a full day of adventure, tuck the kids in at one of Westchester’s many family-friendly hotels.

Start the day with a walk through history. 

Fuel up with a hearty brunch at Eatarry in Tarrytown, where the fare ranges from egg sandwiches, grain bowls and salads to s’mores pancakes with toasted marshmallows and chocolate sauce. From there, it’s just a short drive to Lyndhurst, one of America’s finest Gothic Revival mansions, where you can tour the home or stroll the sprawling grounds overlooking the Hudson River. Be sure to visit Lyndhurst October 17-18 for a special Trick-or-Treat Weekend taking place throughout the property. 

Give your stay a legendary twist. 

Travel to Sunnyside, the historic estate of Washington Irving, author of the classic tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. for Legendary Tours, a kid-friendly, literature-themed grounds tour. Or, visit in the evening when Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk performs The Legend, complete with live music and an appearance by the Headless Horseman himself! Tickets to this special seasonal event are limited and sold in advance.

Afterwards, you can check out the Old Dutch Church and Burying Ground, made famous in Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, then visit the author’s grave, along with the final resting spots of many other notable locals, at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

A sweet ending. 

Top off your legendary fall weekend with a trip to Tarrytown’s family-run ice cream parlor, Main Street Sweets. For dinner, enjoy new American fare with sunset views at The Sailhouse, a waterfront restaurant and bar in Tarrytown.