The Ultimate Guide To Seasonal Activities In New York: Pumpkin Patches, Christmas Lights, Water Parks, And More
New York is tops at a lot of things. We’ve got world-class food, museums, scenery, and more. One thing we really know how to do right here in the Empire State is holiday celebrations. We’re luckier than a lot of states in that we have four very distinct seasons. Our springs are filled with blooming flowers, monarch butterflies and hummingbirds. Our summer bucket lists are filled with activities like wading in natural pools and visiting waterfalls. Our fall foliage is absolutely top-notch, and our winters are the best of the best, from sleigh rides to holiday drive-thru light extravaganzas. We put together a handy guide for you of the best seasonal activities in New York: check them out!
Visit This Dreamy Tulip Field In New York
The annual tulip festival in Washington Park is one of the biggest spring events in New York. This festival has been a yearly tradition for over 70 years. More than 100,000 flowers of all different colors are planted throughout the park. The tulips were planted to pay homage to Albany's Dutch heritage. What's your favorite color tulip?
The Most Epic Water Parks In New York
New York summers can be brutal, and what better way to cool down than with a visit to an epic water park? Thankfully, we're loaded down with fantastic water parks in New York. Do you like lounging around on a lazy river or the adrenaline rush of a high-speed slide? Either way, SplashDown Beach in Fishkill is a great addition to your summer bucket list. This place is home to the only zero-gravity half-pipe slide in the state. What's your favorite water park attraction?
The Best All-Day Float Trip In New York
Lounging around on an all-day float trip sounds like our idea of heaven. With so many lakes and rivers in New York, warm weather is a great opportunity to get out and enjoy them. The Adirondack Adventure Center rents out tubes, so you can go on an all-day float trip down the Hudson River. Relaxing in the sun in the Adirondacks: does life get any better than that?
Picture-Perfect Apple Orchards In New York
Apple orchards and fall go together like peanut butter and jelly. There's nothing quite like the joy of going out to an apple farm, browsing all of the different varieties, and plucking them right off the tree yourself. LynOaken Farms near Buffalo has an incredible 350 different kind of apples! This place has been delighting New Yorkers for over 100 years. Did you even know so many kinds of apples existed?
The Most Charming Pumpkin Patches In New York
For many, an annual pilgrimage to a pumpkin patch is a great fall tradition. Here in New York, we've got pumpkins galore. There are so many places to enjoy fall festivals, pumpkins, hayrides, petting zoos, and more. The aptly-named Pumpkinville in Great Valley is loads of fun for the whole family. This 200-acre farm boasts fall foliage, pumpkin picking, apple cider squeezing, and a Pumpkinville Express train ride. Who's ready to go pick a perfect pumpkin?
Get Lost In These Awesome New York Corn Mazes
Getting lost in a corn maze is a rite of passage for many New Yorkers in the fall. The sounds of the cool autumn breeze rustling through the stalks, the thrill of turning the corners and realizing you're at a dead end..it all just feels so very fall. One corn maze that's been delighting Empire Staters for decades is Macedon's Long Acres Farm. They've got one of the longest mazes in the world, so you'd better be ready! Are you up to the challenge?
The New York Halloween Towns That Will Terrify And Delight You
When it comes to Halloween towns, does anywhere do it better than New York? We've got the quintessential spooky city in Sleepy Hollow. The legend of the Headless Horseman came from right here in this New York village. The town now has a haunted hayride and offers moonlit tours of their cemetery. Are you brave enough to visit Sleepy Hollow in the fall?
The Most Magical Christmas Village In New York
New York is filled with plenty of charming little Christmas villages. One that we find particularly magical is Hamburg. Their annual Festival of Lights is a major attraction. This holiday drive-thru shows off dozens of lights, an elf village, Santa, and more. You're a real Grinch if this doesn't put you in the holiday spirit.
The One Of A Kind Christmas Train In New York
Ever fantasized about riding the Polar Express up to the North Pole? Well, you're in luck, because we've got a magical Christmas train in New York. The Arcade and Attica railroad hosts an annual winter extravaganza in the North Pole Express. This 2.5-hour train ride is all decked out for the season, and you'll even get to meet Santa. Ho ho ho, hop onboard!
Must-Visit Spots To View Christmas Lights In New York
Here in New York, we have so many wonderful Christmas light displays. One of the very best of the best is Peace, Love, and Lights in Bethel. Located at the site of the 1969 Woodstock concert, this 1.7-mile holiday drive-thru boasts thousands of lights. There's even a Groovy Way section that pays homage to Woodstock. This is a drive you'll want to experience year after year.
