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As the famed Long Island summer comes to a close in September, the island transforms into a must-experience, crisp autumn. Located just south of New England, Long Island has beautiful foliage, vibrant colors, and plenty of seasonal activities like apple picking, corn mazes, pumpkin picking, and tons of apple cider to look forward to every fall. So, “leaf” all your worries behind, throw on your sweater, and follow along this list of the ten must-dos this autumn on Long Island.
Drink Local Cider
Riverhead Ciderhouse, Riverhead
The Riverhead Ciderhouse is fun for the whole family. You can keep the kids busy with one of the board games the Ciderhouse has to be borrowed, or sit outside and play cornhole, giant Connect-4, and cards, all while enjoying some of the best hard apple cider on the island. Riverhead Ciderhouse offers a multitude of inventive cider flavors, including Honeycrisp, PB&J and Cinnamon Toast. The 8,000-square-foot facility offers a tasting room, live music, pizza and other small bites, retail space, and two floor-to-ceiling fireplaces.
Tour the Gold Coast Mansions
Oheka Castle, Huntington
In September and throughout fall, visitors can enjoy Long Island’s lavish Gold Coast Mansions with fewer crowds, allowing for more space and less competition for those Instagram-worthy photo ops. The Gold Coast Mansions are a collection of historic estates located on the North Shore, built by wealthy industrialists and financiers during the Gilded Age, a period in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Be sure to visit the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport—a unique combination of mansion, marine and natural history museum, and planetarium overlooking the Long Island Sound. Spanning about 216 acres is Sands Point Preserve, home to three spectacular mansions and finely trimmed lawns. Oheka Castle in Huntington was once the largest home in the U.S. and is a stunning example of French château-style architecture. Walk the grounds and explore history in the mild weather of September.
Pumpkin Picking
Waterdrinker Family Farm & Garden, Manorville
Pumpkin picking is an old time fall tradition that Long Island takes part in. Waterdrinker Family Farm & Garden in Manorville holds their annual Fall Festival, with loads of seasonal activities including pumpkin picking, hayrides, a haunted house, corn maze, tractor pedal cars and more.
Apple picking
Harbes Orchard, Riverhead
To go apple picking, head east. From May-October Harbes Family Farm hosts a variety of seasonal festivals and events, and in September apple picking season kicks off at the Riverhead location, Harbes Orchard. File through rows and rows of over 27 different apple types: Fuji, Golden Delicious, Red Cameo, Crown Empire, Snap Dragon. . . you name it!
Sip on Long Island Brews
Tap Room, Various locations
Long Island has become a hotspot for craft beer enthusiasts, with numerous breweries each contributing their own styles and flavor profiles to the local landscape. For your next round, consider visiting The Riverhead Brewhouse, which recently opened this spring. They have their own local brews on tap, pub food with table service and a full bar.
Beer lovers should mark October 5, 2024 in their calendars for the upcoming Craft Brew Fest, hosted by Tanger Outlets in Deer Park. There will be over 150 styles of craft beer, featuring many New York breweries.
Tap Room has numerous locations across the island, a delicious food menu, and a rotating tap list. Be sure to try a pumpkin beer with a cinnamon-sugar rim this fall!
Explore Long Island Wine Country
Osprey's Dominion Vineyards, Peconic
It comes as a surprise to many unfamiliar with the region, but Long Island has a wine country! Situated primarily on the North Fork and parts of the South Fork, the vineyards have gained acclaim for their diverse and high-quality wines. For a casual, family-friendly vibe, spend your day at Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards, where you are encouraged to pack your own picnic. There is a tasting room to sip their award-winning wines, live music on the weekends, and firepits on the patios if it is extra brisk outside. For a list of other wineries, click here!
Celebrate Long Island’s Marine History
Maritime Festival, Greenport
Celebrate Long Island’s marine history at the 34th Annual Maritime Festival in Greenport on September 21-22, a tribute to the region’s seafaring heritage. Hosted by the East End Seaport Museum & Marine Foundation, this festival brings together over a hundred vendors, a variety of delicious food, live entertainment, and fun activities for children, all in the coastal village of Greenport.
Stroll through the parks
Caumsett State Park
The best way to see fall come alive on Long Island is by experiencing the fall foliage across the region. There are many state parks on Long Island, allowing visitors to get a front row seat to the colorful foliage. Alongside the oranges and yellows, you may even spot some natural wildlife on your foliage hike. Caumsett State Park, Caleb Smith State Park and Connetquot River State Park are popular places to watch the leaves, but arboretums such as Planting Fields in Oyster Bay give visitors the perfect combination of fall trees and flowers blooming side by side.
Go golfing
Bethpage State Park Golf Course, Farmingdale
Photo courtesy of LinksGems
The start of fall on Long Island means pleasant weather, beautiful landscapes, and less crowds— all essential ingredients for the perfect golf day. Long Island offers a range of public golf courses that cater to various skill levels and preferences. Most notably there is Bethpage State Park Golf Course, renowned for its Black Course which has hosted several major tournaments, including the US Open, and soon to host the internationally competitive Ryder Cup in 2025. Or travel to “The End” in Montauk and visit Montauk Downs State Park. The course is located on high ground halfway between the Atlantic Ocean to the south and Block Island to the North, leaving golfers with a challenge against strong, swirling winds.
Set sail
Easy Breeze Cruises, Montauk
Boating opportunities don’t end after Labor Day. Set sail on a charter boat or go fishing. Onboard Easy Breeze Cruises, you can unwind with a beautiful ocean view and sightseeing tour of Montauk. There are two full bars, plenty of snacks, and so many sunsets to see this season.
