Queensbury NY Fall Foliage, Festivals, Fun!
Foliage, Festivities and Fall Fun in and Around Queensbury NY!
The days are getting shorter. There’s that unmistakable chill in the air. And Nature’s palette is changing from the lush fertile greens of Summer to the fiery oranges and scarlets of Autumn.
We already know that the Adirondack region offers some of the most splendid Fall foliage views to be found anywhere in the country. But, if leaf-peeping isn’t thrilling enough for everyone in the family, don’t worry. Here’s some great ways to enjoy Autumn in Queensbury and around the Adirondacks before the frost is on the pumpkin. All of these events are a short ride from Queensbury, Glens Falls or Lake George.
How do you like them apples?
There are still orchards offering “pick your own” apple-picking days. Hick’s Farm in Granville is the oldest “U-Pick” orchard in NY, welcoming pickers since 1905. Hick’s is open Saturdays and Sundays to pickers, but the apple barn is open daily from 9am to 6pm.
While you’re there, you may want to whet your whistle at the Slyboro Ciderhouse. Named after one of the oldest hamlets in upstate NY, Slyboro’s is famous for its fermented ciders. Did you know that cider is America’s oldest drink? That’s right. Our ancestors carried appleseeds across the Atlantic and the fermented libation was the most widely consumed drink in America throughout the 1700’s and well into the 1800s.
If picking and partaking alone aren’t enough, Bowman Orchards, on Sugar Hill Road in Rexford, offers tours of its packinghouse and storage facility. Bowman even has a vintage trolley and offers rides through the orchard. After the tour, kids and grown-ups can pet and feed the barnyard pigs, sheep and goats. There’s even a baby calf! Bowman’s Orchard is just a short drive from Glens Falls, Queensbury or Lake George.
Time for pumpkins, hayrides and mazes
Billy Bob’s Orchard on Route 2 in Putnam Station has fields full of pumpkins just waiting to be picked. And, after you’ve picked the best pumpkins for carving or for pie, make a quick stop into their store for delicious homemade jams, jellies, and preserves.
History and fun meet at the Fort Ticondeoerga’s Heroic Maze: A Corn Maze Adventure located on the Fort Ti Road in Ticonderoga. This six-acre maze is challenging but fun, surrounded by the history and mystery that is America’s Fort. There are two parts of the maze, a Kiddie Maze and the “Engineer A For” maze.
If jumping, sliding, climbing and pedaling are on your kids’ lists of fun outdoor adventures, you’ve got to visit Ellms Family Farm on Charlton Road in Ballston Spa. One look at their Farm Map will have your kids jumping for joy and asking when they can go! With events like Duck Races, the Spider Web Climber, Moo Moo Choo Choo, the Jumping Pillow and Pedal Carts, they’ll be busy the whole day (and probably fast asleep before their heads hit the pillow).
It’s about a 30-minute drive from Queensbury to historic Schuyler Farm, located just a few minutes outside of Saratoga Springs. In addition to its petting zoo, pumpkin-picking and hayrides, Schuyler Farms hosts one of the best haunted hayrides in the area. Every year, Schuyler Farm’s maze has a different theme and, in their 15th year, the theme is “Lost at Sea.” Schuyler Farm’s seven-acre maze is open every Friday and Saturday night in October. And, for even more hair-raising events, check their website for their special “Field of Screams” on selected nights.
From frights to feasts…
October isn’t October without annual month-long Six Flags Great Escape’s Fright Fest in Queensbury. Each year, the zombies, goblins and ghouls at this attraction come up with new ways to haunt us at every turn. With haunted houses, scare zones, and bone-chilling rides, there’s a scary thrill for every fright fan.
But, Autumn isn’t just about Halloween and creepy creatures that go bump in the night. Before we get to “fright night,” there are plenty of Oktoberfests along the way. That means brews and ‘brats,’ craft beers, local foods and live music.
West Mountain’s Annual Fall Festival is a most popular Queensbury autumn events for folks who live in and around Glens Falls, Queensbury or Lake George and beyond. This event is held on not one, but two weekends in October: Oct. 7th and 8th, as well as Oct. 14th and 15th, and has something for everyone. Festival Activities include: Scenic haywagon rides ($), mountaintop picnic packages ($), scenic chairlift rides ($), mountaintop yoga ($), fall food and drink specials in our Main Lodge cafe and bar ($), aerial treetop adventure ($), live music (free), mountain biking ($), pumpkin painting ($), inflatable obstacle course ($), keg toss (ages 21+) $, indoor and outdoor specialty vendors ($), live music (details below), beer/spirits tastings (details below), petting zoo and pony rides ($), and more!
So, whether you are lucky enough to live here or you’re looking for things to do while visiting Queensbury this fall, get out your calendars and day planners and be prepared for a spectacular Fall season of foliage, frights, food and fests!
Save