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Fall is the perfect time to go apple picking. Photo by Diana Kim

Best Fall Day Trips from NYC for Families

1. Apple Picking

Enjoy the crisp fall air and the sweet smell of apples by visiting one of these nearby apple orchards for a day trip full of harvest fun.

2. Visit a Nearby Nature Center

Just 5 miles north of the George Washington Bridge, you'll find the nearly 400-acre Tenafly Nature Center, complete with hiking trails, live animal exhibits, a fairy walk, a butterfly house, bird watching, and more.

3. Doughnut Tasting

Eat your way through the treat of the season—apple cider doughnuts—at these Westchester farms.

4. Explore the North Fork

The North Fork of Long Island is great for leaf-peeping, cider doughnuts, and (most importantly!) a visit to a family-friendly vineyard.

RELATED: 10 Fun Farms in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Try your hand at archery during the New York Renaissance Faire on weekends from late August through early October. Photo courtesy of the Faire

5. Renaissance Faire

Step back in time at Sterling Forest for the New York Renaissance Faire, which plays weekends through early October.

6. Ride a Mountain Coaster

Hit one of these local thrill rides where you can whir down the mountainside.

7. All-Aboard for a Hudson Valley Getaway

Embark on a no-car-required getaway to one of these charming towns in Westchester and beyond.

RELATED: 22 Fall Weekend Getaways near NYC

Get lost in The Amazing Maize Maze in Queens. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

8. Corn Maze

You don't have to clear city limits to visit the Amazing Maize Maze at the Queens County Farm Museum, NYC's only corn maze.

9. Petting Zoos

Snuggle up to animals at these kid-friendly petting zoos, including White Post Farms on Long Island.

10. Long Island State Parks

Enjoy the magnificent state parks of Long Island for some nature-themed fun.

Check out the family-friendly hiking trails in and around NYC. Photo by Diana Kim

11. Bask in Fall Foliage

Enjoy the foliage at one of these family-friendly hiking trails dotting Long Island.

12. Hit the Shore

Fall is a fine time to visit the Asbury Park beach and boardwalk with fewer crowds.

13. Visit State Historic Sites

The Hudson Valley is home to several historic sites, including Olana State Historic Site and the Saugerties Lighthouse, and these historic mansions, where you can step back in time.

RELATED: Visiting the Adventure Aquarium in NJ: 10 Best Things To Do and See

Autumn is the perfect season to visit Storm King Art Center. Photo by Eva Schwartz

14. Storm King Art Center

Visit Storm King Art Center in Orange County, New York. Enjoy the art, let the kids run around, picnic, and marvel at the changing leaves.

15. Picnic at Bear Mountain State Park

Take a picnic and explore the grounds of Bear Mountain State Park.

16. Hit the Rails

Pedal your way along abandoned rail trails on quad bikes for a fun outing and plenty of leaf peeping.

17. Whale Watching

Early fall is prime whale-watching season, and we've found 10 whale-watching cruises near NYC.

RELATED: Family-Friendly Hiking Trails in NYC to Tackle This Fall

Hersheypark's Skyrush reaches speeds of up to 75 mph and includes five zero-G airtime hills. Photo courtesy of the park

18. Conquer Some Thrill Rides

Most theme parks are open well into the fall, and these amusement parks near NYC serve big-kid thrills.

19. Pick Some Sunflowers

New Jersey, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley come into full bloom with sunflower picking at these flower farms near NYC.

20. Visit Mystic

The seaside town of Mystic, Connecticut, overflows with family-friendly attractions, including the Mystic Seaport Museum and Mystic Aquarium.

RELATED: Catskills with Kids: 37 Family-Friendly Finds in Sullivan County

Northern New Jersey is home to a collection of fun waterfall hikes easy enough for families. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

21. Take a Waterfall Hike

If leaves aren't enough eye candy, explore one of these waterfall hikes in Northern New Jersey.

22. Liberty Science Center

Hop across the river to visit one of our favorite Jersey-kid spots: the Liberty Science Center.

23. Hit an Out-of-Town Museum

Weather iffy? Head to Long Island's "museum row" to hit the Cradle of Aviation, Firefighter's Museum, and more great kid spots in Garden City.

24. Pick a Perfect Pumpkin

Come October, these pumpkin farms near NYC overflow with plenty of pumpkins ready to make a picture-perfect jack-o'-lantern!

RELATED: Family-Friendly Hiking Trails in NYC to Tackle this Fall

Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson is the backdrop for the stunning Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze. Photo by Tom Nycz for Historic Hudson Valley

25. The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze

Marvel at what they do with pumpkins at the Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson.

26. Daycation at the South Mountain Reservation

Experience the best of the 'burbs by spending a day exploring New Jersey's South Mountain Reservation with the Turtle Back Zoo, hiking trails, a destination playground, and more.

27. Drive the Hudson Valley

Take a scenic drive or hike through these leaf-peeping hot spots in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

RELATED: Weekend Getaways Near NYC: Lake Resorts in New York State

Take the kids to Legoland in Orange County for a day of adventure. Photo by Diana Kim

28. Visit Legoland

The sprawling resort in Orange County has tons of fall fun on tap, including its Brick-or-Treat Monster Party.

29. Indoor Water Parks

Make summer last a bit longer with a day pass to the indoor water parks at Camelback and Kalahari resorts, and explore the rest of the family-friendly fun in the Poconos with kids.

30. Discover Haunting History

These spooky day trip destinations deliver the fun during the Halloween season. We've got picks in the city, Hudson Valley, Long Island, and New Jersey, too.

Originally published in 2011.