Fall in CNY

by Molly Burhans

Fall is a beautiful and exciting time of year in Central New York. With the leaves changing color and Halloween and Thanksgiving just around the corner, people are not only cozying up for the colder months, but getting out and enjoying this special time.

The scenery changing into a magical array of reds, oranges, and yellows lends itself perfectly to outdoor activities. Hiking in fall is a great way to get outside and stay active. We have many trails in the area, with the closest being Lime Hollow. However, a venture down towards Ithaca is well worth your time if you want to see some gorgeous waterfalls and maybe stop at the Ithaca Farmers Market afterwards for some delicious treats. Tinker Falls in Truxton is also a great option for some hiking with a view, and a stop at the Trinity Valley corn maze afterwards is fun for the whole family. The cold weather also makes it a great time for trail running if you want to get your heartbeat up.

One of my personal fall favorites is apple picking. The Central New York region is one of the best for growing apples; we have a bunch of different varieties that all taste amazing. Apple picking is a great weekend activity and a way to spend some time with family doing something fun. Beak and Skiff in Lafayette is a great place for picking, and they also have some awesome apple cider donuts to munch on afterwards.

A time honored tradition in the area is heading to Hollenbeck’s in Virgil. The warm donuts and cider do not disappoint, along with various pies and desserts. One of the most interesting parts about Hollenbeck’s, however, is that you get to watch the cider being made and learn about the pressing process.

Halloween is a staple of fall in New York, and there is no shortage of haunted houses and pumpkin patches in the area. One of the scariest haunted houses is up in Syracuse at the fairgrounds; it’s called Fright Nights, and I would definitely make sure you’re prepared for a super scary experience. If you are slightly more squeamish, the Cortland YWCA is putting on a haunted house designed for younger children in the community. On the happier side of halloween, we have jack-o-lanterns. The plethora of pumpkin patches in the area makes for a fun day with the family to get in the fall spirit.

We are lucky to live in such an interesting area full of new things to do, especially in fall. Try to get outside and bear the colder weather in order to experience all that our unique area has to offer during this colorful season!