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Fall Day Trips on Long Island

1. Sip and Dine Among the Vines

Early fall is harvest time in Long Island wine country. Explore a family-friendly winery on the East End with music, games, and fantastic wine for the adults. 

2. Explore the South Shore Beaches via Two Wheels

Is there a better time for a bike ride than autumn? One of our favorite trails is the Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway. If your little one is too young for a bike or scooter, plan a stroller walk with the family. 

RELATED: Best Fall Festivals and Fairs for Long Island Families in 2023

Apples are ripe for the picking on the East End. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

3. Grab a Taste of Fall

Whether you want to pick apples or hunt for pumpkins, Long Island's farms are some of the finest in New York State. And it's always a fun-filled atmosphere with hayrides, harvest festivals, and corn mazes to explore. 

4. Do Some Leaf Peeping

Get close to nature with a fall foliage hike. We highlighted some of our favorite trails through Nassau, Suffolk, and the East End. 

5. Enjoy a Carousel Ride in Greenport

The beautiful, antique carousel is a perfect excuse to visit this charming North Fork village. Kids will love trying to grab the golden ring for a chance to win a free spin! 

6. Step Back in Time

Visit one of these Long Island historical sites that span the landscape from Nassau County to Montauk.

7. Get a Taste of Local History

Visit the charming Village of Stony Brook and explore the Long Island Museum, the 18th-century Stony Brook Grist Mill, and the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. 

RELATED: Weekend Getaways near NYC For Families this Fall

The Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns returns to Long Island this fall. Photo courtesy of the event

8. See Pumpkins Light up the Night

Take in a Long Island Halloween tradition by visiting the Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns at USDAN Summer Camp for the Arts in Wheatley Heights. 

9. Get a Taste of Island Life

With many of the tourists gone, hop on the ferry to Shelter Island from Greenport or North Haven and spend the day exploring this local gem. Older kids will enjoy the 4-mile bike ride across the island along Route 114.

10. Explore the Barrier Beaches

Another fun ferry destination is Fire Island, where the water is often warm enough to swim in well into October. Catch a ferry from Bay Shore, Sayville, or Patchogue to explore this diverse ecosystem.  

11. Swim with the Sharks

Or watch them from above. The fall is a great time to visit the Long Island Aquarium. Adventurous kids 12 and older can take a dive into the aquarium's 120,000-gallon shark tank. 

12. Take Advantage of the Offseason

Explore the Hamptons and Montauk now that the majority of tourists have left. The North Fork will still be crowded until the end of the farm fun season at around Halloween. 

RELATED: State Parks on Long Island Worth a Visit

Explore Manhattan's above-ground oasis, the High Line. Photo by Timothy Schenck/courtesy of Friends of the High Line

Fall Day Trips from Long Island to New York City for Families

13. Walk Above the City Streets

Hike the High Line and take in the unique city views. The 1½-mile track passes by such tourist attractions as Chelsea Market and Little Island.  

14. Explore Hudson Yards

With easy access on and off the High Line, Hudson Yards' many shops and restaurants include Mercado Little Spain and Dylan's Candy Bar. 

15. Go Sky High

While you're at Hudson Yards, explore Edge, the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere, if you dare. The towering structure rises 102 stories above the city streets.

16. Get Wild in the Bronx

Explore a wild animal encounter adventure and get an early start on Halloween with Harvest Glow at the Bronx Zoo, which runs through October 31, 2025. Boo at the Zoo is an annual tradition that allows kids to get dressed up for a visit to the 265-acre zoo. Animals are unpredictable, so you never know what cool things you'll see when you go. 

17. Explore Queens

Plan a day to visit Queens with the kids to check out the botanical garden, or have some hands-on fun and learning at the New York Hall of Science, and even swing by the zoo in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

18. See a Broadway Show

Explore the city's world-class theaters, and check out a kid-friendly Broadway performance. While you're in the Theater District, pay a visit to the LEGO or M&M stores for some extra fun! 

19. Stroll Around an Urban Oasis

Spend the day exploring magnificent Central Park, visit the zoo, or venture downtown for a walk on the Brooklyn Bridge and visit its namesake park.

20. Get an Up-Close Look at Lady Liberty

Hop on a ferry to Governors Island for wide-open spaces and stunning skyline views. Find the ferry schedule here.

21. Visit the Statue of Liberty

Or head to downtown NYC to hop the ferry to Liberty Island to see Lady Liberty and the Statue of Liberty Museum, which offers a lot of history and interactive exhibits for families to experience. 

RELATED: Great Animal Farms and Petting Zoos on Long Island

Catch the fall foliage on a visit to Croton Gorge in Cortlandt, New York. Photo by William Doyle via Flickr 

Fall Day Trips from Long Island to Upstate New York

22. Head North

Take a drive to upstate New York and the Catskills region to cross off a few family-friendly activities from our Hudson Valley bucket list.

23. Treat Yourself

Try the kitschy roadside King Kone in Bedford for a sweet treat, or visit one of these other ice cream shops in the Westchester area.

24. Hit the Road

Enjoy autumn's transformation while on a scenic drive to one of these stunning fall spots in Westchester. 

25. Picnic in a Picturesque Setting

Explore the Storm King Art Center, which offers larger-than-life sculptures and beautiful fall foliage spread over 500 acres.

26. Turn Back Time

Take a trip back to the 15th century at the New York Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo Park. This celebration of the Middle Ages runs through early October.  

27. Get Building

Legoland New York is just a 90-minute trip from NYC. Ride roller-coasters, LEGO cars, and, of course, build LEGO masterpieces before heading back home. Or spend the night at the resort hotel and head home in the morning.

RELATED: Pick-Your-Own and More Farm Fun on Long Island

Enjoy a drive-thru safari at Six Flags in New Jersey. Photo courtesy of Six Flags Great Adventure

Fall Day Trips from Long Island to New Jersey

28. Get Some Thrills

Load the kids in the family van for a wild drive through the Six Flags safari and spend a night at the resort, and then explore the main park and all of its coasters.

29. Enjoy the Outdoors

Spend the day chasing waterfalls at one of these easy, northern New Jersey hikes perfect for little legs.

30. Tackle the Indoor Waves

Get the swimsuits out and visit the DreamWorks indoor water park, open all year at the American Dream mall. There are so many fun things to do, including Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, that you may even want to make a weekend of it. 

31. Head to Diggerland

Truck-loving little ones will enjoy a visit to Diggerland USA, a construction-themed amusement park in Southern New Jersey. This spot even hosts fall festivals for the season, with pumpkins and hay rides that the kids will love. 

Fall Day Trips from Long Island to Connecticut

32. Board the Port Jefferson Ferry

Head to Bridgeport on the ferry. We've rounded up the top 25 Things to Do in Bridgeport, including catching a hockey game, Beardsley Zoo, and visiting a science museum.

33. Visit Mystic Seaport

The ferry ride from Orient Point to New London is half the fun in this day trip. Enjoy a getaway to nearby Mystic, Connecticut, where you can experience a quaint seaside town and the largest maritime museum in the country, Mystic Seaport. 

34. Explore Hiking Trails in Connecticut

Plan a day to visit some of the stunning parks in Connecticut. Plan a fall hike to see some amazing waterfalls in the Nutmeg State.

35. Chug Down the Tracks

View fall foliage from aboard the classic Essex Steam Train. Steamboat tickets are available and can be purchased as a combo ticket with the train ride. 

A version of this post was first published in 2015. This post was updated in September 2025.