There’s something so special about the fall season on Long Island. The weather, the fresh bounty, and the local happenings have us even more obsessed with where we live. Here are our top seven picks for happenings and events that we’ll surely be participating in an enjoying on Long Island this month and hope that you will too!
Pumpkin Picking
Where: Harbes Family Farm in Mattituck (located on the North Fork)
Why: Harbes has something for everyone in the family. With many kid-focused activities pumpkin picking is not the only attraction allowing you to spend more than an hour or two at one location. Also, they have a Vineyard Wine Barn, which will keep mom and dad happy too.
Apple Picking
Where: Milk Pail in Watermill (located on the South Fork)
Why: The Milk Pail offers over twenty apple varieties throughout the Harvest season and even has dwarf trees, which are the perfect height for all ages.
Hard Cider Tasting
Where: Woodside Orchards in Aquebogue (located on the North Fork)
Why: A little something for the parents! Woodside grows, picks, and presses their own apples then turning them into a delicious hard cider containing 6.8% alcohol content. Try the flight, which consists of 4 flavors. Oh, and don’t forget to indulge in a cider donut while you’re there too!
Montauk Fall Festival
Where: Downtown Montauk (located on the South Fork)
Why: Not only is the festival a great time in itself with live music and tons of great vendors, you also must sample the clam chowder from the annual clam chowder contest. The festival runs on October 7th & 8th with the chowder contest held on Saturday, October 7th.
Take a Hike
Where: Mashomack Preserve, Shelter Island
Why: Fall is the perfect season for hiking and Mashomack Preserve is our top pick for a great nature hike on Long Island. The preserve has 12 miles of coastline, and acres of creeks, woodlands and fields for you to explore. The preserve covers 1/3 of Shelter Island and has 5 well-marked land trails.
33rd Annual Oyster Bay Oyster Festival
Where: Downtown Oyster Bay & Oyster Bay Waterfront
Why: The Oyster Festival is the East Coast’s largest waterfront festival with fun for the entire family including live entertainment, Tall Ships, artisans and vendors, pirate shows, and the iconic oyster eating and shucking contest. Don’t forget about the fantastic food court offering oysters, clams, and other seafood as well as traditional festival fare. The festival is scheduled for October 14th & 15th.
Long Island Restaurant Week
Where: Select restaurants across Nassau and Suffolk Counties
Why: We never turn down a fun opportunity to sample some of Long Island’s best restaurants. Starting October 29th – November 5th, enjoy eight days of dining deals with a $28.95, 3-course prix-fixe menu. Although the full restaurant line-up has not been posted yet, you can continue to check the website at http://www.longislandrestaurantweek.com/ for the participating list.
