Looking for ways to immerse yourself in what is objectively the greatest season of the year? Fall is almost here and it's time to start planning how you want to soak up that crisp air, those autumnal scents, and the pumpkin spice everything. It's cozy season, it's spooky season, it's everything you could ask for wrapped in a flannel shirt and topped with cinnamon. Let's do this, Mr. Autumn Man.
CAR-FREE FALL DESTINATIONS & EVENTS
The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze returns to both the Hudson Valley and Long Island, and this annual event — taking place September through November — is well worth the train ride.
Once the leaves have turned the landscape into an autumnal rainbow, these nature oases and wildlife sanctuaries on Long Island are perfect for a fall day trip.
After all that nature, you could even hit up some of the region's top breweries.
Long Island's Big Duck is great year-round, but have you seen it in the fall? Breathtaking.
But it's all aboard Metro-North for some of the absolute best leaf-peeping you'll find on the east coast.
And once the fall foliage hits, Beacon will be an even more delightful destination — here's our guide to the area.
Also upstate? Apples. Lots of apples.
No, there will not be pumpkin spice oysters, but the Oyster Bay - East Norwich Oyster Fest is an annual fall tradition on Long Island and will be celebrating its 40th year on October 14th and 15th.
There are haunted houses everywhere. In fact, you're probably in one right now. But if you want to check some haunted NYC spots, Time Out NY has compiled a list of some of the best ghost tours around the city.
There is no better place to be this spooky season than Sleepy Hollow, where you'll find haunted hayrides, Gothic mansions, delightful fall farmers markets, live music, and even a Halloween 10K run and parade!
Bannerman Castle, located on Pollepel Island in the Hudson River, is a perfect, unique fall day-trip. You can even get a discount on your admission and train fare through our MTA Away deal. Bonus: You'll be able to catch the fall landscape on your train ride, just be sure to sit on the left side of the car heading north for the best views.
Bronx Zoo Pumpkin Nights is an all-new nighttime family event coming to the zoo this fall. You'll be able to follow an illuminated trail of jack o'lanterns, play games and enjoy some treats!
The Halloween Dog Parades of NYC aren't can't-miss events every autumn! The Fort Greene Great Pupkin takes place on October 21st this year, and the Tompkins Square Dog Run Halloween Parade takes place on October 28th. We'll wait while you put those in your calendar.
Sometimes the journey is the destination — and that's particularly true on Halloween. Don't miss Subway Halloween this year!
And finally, to close out spooky season, The Village Halloween Parade is the place to be on Halloween.
Our events calendar is regularly updated, so keep checking throughout the season for even more events around the region. And as always, check MTA.info before you head out.
No destination in mind? Metro-North has added special weekend trains on the Hudson Line for leaf peepers this fall. Extra trains will be running trains on Saturdays and Sundays from October 7th through November 5th, 2023. Get all the details here.
Please share your fall photos with us by tagging @MTAaway on Instagram!
