Fall is such a wonderful season to be outside as a family. Pop by a local farm to pick apples or pumpkins. Jump on a hayride. However, if you are looking for a few more ideas besides apple and pumpkin picking, I’ve got you covered! Check out my picks for Fall Family Activities in NY and CT.
New York Renaissance Faire, Tuxedo, NY
When: Weekends through October 6th
Details: The New York Renaissance Faire is again in town! In Tuxedo, NY, not far from Westchester or Fairfield Counties, lies a magical faire sure to enchant its visitors with themed games, rides, performances, and of course, jousts. Kids will love seeing the costumed performers and attractions from days of yore.
Tickets can be purchased in advance and used any day during the Faire’s run. Adults tickets cost $29.95 and children aged 5 through 12 are $13 (Age 4 and under are free). Tickets include access to all entertainment and performances. Rides, carnival games and food vendors are an additional fee.
Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, Chappaqua, NY
When: Saturday, October 5th 10am to 5pm
Details: On October 5th, head to Bell Middle School in Chappaqua with your kiddies to meet over 145 of their (and your) favorite children’s authors and illustrators at the 7th annual Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival! The list of attending authors and illustrators is truly remarkable. And if somehow meeting and chatting with these folks is not enough enticement for your little ones, there will also be a Family Fun Zone of activities – including the Bubble Bus!! My big girl is very excited to meet Dan Gutman, author of her beloved, My Weird School series.
The event is the LARGEST children’s book festival in the metropolitan New York area! Admission and parking are FREE. Authors will be selling copies of their books for autograph. The event is outdoors, rain or shine!
Westoberfest Fall Festival – New England Craft Beer Tasting, Wesport, CT
When: Saturday, October 19th 1pm to 5pm
Details: In Munich, Germany, fall is synonymous with Oktoberfest and while the famous festival is actually celebrated there from mid-September to early October, here in the States, the celebrations tend to happen a little later in October (whoops!)
If you are hoping to celebrate Oktoberfest this year without having to leave the kids at home, consider the Westoberfest celebration happening on October 19th at the Elm Street Lot in Westport, CT.
There will be craft beer tastings, delicious food from legit GOOD local restaurants, Kawa Ni and Rothbard Ale + Larder and live music from the Stomp Box Trio. To entertain the smallest guests, there will be face painting, arts and crafts and fall themed food and fun. Food, music and vendors get going at 1pm and unlimited beer tastings will be available between 2pm and 5pm.
Tickets are $45 per adult (or $70 per couple) and include unlimited beer tastings. The event is rain or shine (beer tasting area will be tented) and will take place at 36 Elm Street in Westport, CT.
Set Sail: The OGRCC Annual Sailboat Regatta, Old Greenwich, CT
When: Saturday, October 20th 1pm to 4pm
Details: Back for its 57th year is the annual Model Sailboat Regatta in Old Greenwich, CT’s Binney Park. Model sailboat enthusiasts of all ages can come join the fun. Categories for homemade boats, motorized and remote controlled boats are spread out throughout the afternoon along with fall and Halloween themed crafts and tattoos for the kids. Bring a picnic lunch and join in on the fun!
Tickets to join a sailboat regatta cost $10 per entry with a $25 family maximum and all the money raised will go to the OGRCC’s scholarship fund that supports 65 families each year. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.
Governors Island, New York, NY
When: Through October 31st
Details: While not located in the suburbs, Governors Island is just as idyllic and tree-lined as a suburb, but with the level of culture and arts you expect from NYC. The island is accessible by a quick ferry ride from Lower Manhattan or Brooklyn; and visiting in the fall is perfect, since there is a lot of walking and outdoor time involved.
There is a ton going on, especially on weekends, on Governors Island. There are hammocks to lie in, wooden climbing structures to play on, a Slide Hill to race down and so much more. Join Portal: Governors Island on weekends in September for a stunning and relaxed independent art faire. Stop by Shantell Martin’s breathtaking Church and the May Room. Relax with some lunch and drinks from one of the many stalls on Liggett Terrace. Or extend the summer vibes at Island Oyster. No matter how you spend your day at Governors Island, it is so worth the visit.
You may also be interested in:
Where to go for Oktoberfest in the NYC Tri-State area
Top 5 Places to Go Apple Picking in the New York Tri-State Area
Pros and Cons of Cruising from New York
20 Family-Friendly Indoor Activities in the NY Tri-State area
Private School versus Public School
Seriously, Sam? 10 Simple Rules to Throw Your Child a Birthday Party that Doesn’t Suck
About Marissa Millman
A corporate lawyer by day and blogger at Donuts at the Disco by night, Marissa Millman is so excited to finally let her more creative side shine as a blogger. Marissa was born on Long Island and spent her entire life in New York before meeting her CT born husband, Michael, in 2006 and eventually moving with him to Greenwich, CT in 2011. Together, they have two CT-born little ladies, and over time, their passion for exploring and experiencing all that’s around them has become a family affair. Marissa started her blog in the summer of 2018 to share what her family is up to in hopes that it may inspire other families to do some of those same things. Website: Donuts at the Disco. Instagram and Facebook @donutsatthedisco
About Suburbs 101
Suburbs 101 is an online lifestyle guide for the New York Suburbs of Westchester County, Long Island, Fairfield County and Northern New Jersey. Get the inside scoop on what it’s really like to live in the New York suburbs through our weekly interviews with local suburbanites and features on Food, Fashion, Home, Travel, and Local Events. Be sure to Follow Us on Instagram, Like Us on Facebook and subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter.