The Hudson Valley is a spectacular place to take in the full feeling of Autumn. From the crisp smell in the air, to the changing leaves starting to fall there’s no shortage of fall things to do in the area. While the pandemic has put a damper on some activities, things like apple or pumpkin picking and corn mazes are a great way to take in the season while still practicing social distancing the best you can. We’ve put together a few of the very best fun fall activities in Ulster County to help keep your whole family entertained as the weather cools off!

“Leaf Peeping”

The act of taking in the sights of the leaves changing color has been affectionately termed as “leaf peeping”. The Hudson Valley has so many places to sip your hot cider and take in the changing leaves. The best way to plan your journey is to know where you’re going depending on how far along the leaves are this season. This article from iloveny.com has a great map and some helpful tips to getting the most out of your adventure. Knowing ahead of time how far along the leaves are will save you time and opportunities to get the best sights possible.

Apple or Pumpkin Picking

Another one of the great fall activities in Ulster County includes apple and pumpkins, our favorite fall fruits! Many places offer both options at the same location and you can also take in some of the sights while you’re at it as many orchards are on hills with sprawling colorful leaves. Orchards and pumpkin patches are very family friendly and can offer extras like rides, petting zoos and even activities and games. You should plan ahead and check out each location’s website in the event that reservations are necessary. You’ll want to take full advantage of what each location has to offer. A few places we recommend are Maynard Farms & Orchards in Ulster Park, Wilklow Orchards in Highland NY, and Kelder’s Farm in Kerhonkson NY. There are plenty more places to check out and activities to do, so if reservations or spots are limited, keep searching!

Corn Mazes

Another Fall fun activity is spending the day getting lost in a corn maze. Corn mazes can offer an entire day of activity from scavenger hunts to haunted adventures where people are waiting around every corner to scare you. Hudson Valley Parent has this great list of locations in the area that offer mazes as well as other fall fun activities. 

Farm Stands & Markets with Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Though farm stands are seasonally opened in the spring, when it comes to fall you’ll find the best variety of fruits and veggies not only to eat but also to decorate your house with. From pumpkins and squash to colorful stalks of corn and gourds, you’ll be able to find everything you need to make your Fall festivities a success. Check out Kingston Farmers Market located right here in Kingston, which is open every weekend throughout the Fall.

Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze

If you haven’t heard of the Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze then you are in for a treat. This spectacular destination is described as a place to “Meander through an 18th-century landscape and discover a breathtaking display of more than 7,000 illuminated jack o’ lanterns – all designed and hand-carved on site by our team of artisans.” If you love spooky Halloween fun this is definitely not something you want to miss. Learn more about this magnificent attraction, click here.

There’s plenty of other things to do here in the Hudson Valley, not just what we recommended here. If you enjoyed reading the above article, you can find all of our blog content here. Our team at UCBR strives to elevate the real estate industry by supporting our community and continuing education for professionals and their client base. Additionally, you can also find us on social media at the following: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Cheers!