Fall is a beautiful and exciting time, especially in upstate New York. The leaves are changing, the weather is cool, but not too cool, and everyone's favorite holiday is just around the corner. If you are a fan of Halloween and Fall but absolutely cringe at the thought of being scared, here are some fun things you can do in and around Binghamton.
1. Apple Picking
Although incredibly basic, apple picking around Binghamton is a can't miss event. There are plenty of apple orchards in the area to choose from, most of which are no more than a twenty-minute drive from anywhere in Broome County. A crowd favorite is Apple Hills near Whitney Point, which is famous for its hash brown casserole. Cider Mill is also a must, where you can enjoy delicious doughnuts, cider, candied apples and pies in Endicott.
2. Corn Maze
Stoughton Farms is located in Newark Valley and is about a thirty minute drive from campus. This corn maze is famous for being incredibly challenging and amusing, especially at night. This year, the shape of the corn maze supports anti-bullying.
3. Pumpkin Picking
Pumpkin picking is almost synonymous with the Fall in the Northeast. There are tons of places to choose from, but the new major pumpkin farms near Binghamton are Jackson's and Iron Kettle. Both of these are located near Owego and offer hay rides, mazes, and, of course, lots and lots of pumpkins.
5. Wine Tour
For those of you who of legal age, wine touring is an incredibly fun and beautiful activity in the Fall. There are many wineries located near the Finger Lakes which are not too far from Binghamton, including Seneca Lake Wine Trail, Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards, and Montezuma Winery. All offer wine tastings for around three to four dollars a person and an array of wines to purchase for consumption on the winery's scenic grounds.
6. Festivals
With the Fall comes plenty of festivals that are scare-free and full of fun. Some popular ones near us include the 12th Annual Whitney Point Fall Festival, the Chemung Wingfest in Elmira, The Cazenovia Fall Festival, and the ever-popular Syracuse Wine and Chocolate Fest. Each provides lots of seasonal fun without the burden of being scared.
Halloween is a time for ghosts, goblins, monsters, and fittingly, fear. But that stuff isn't for everyone. Thankfully, if scary things aren't your favorite, Binghamton and the surrounding areas have tons of fun Fall activities so you don't have a serious case of FOMO the whole month of October.
