I recently had a conversation with my boyfriend about where he wanted to live after, when he was ready to purchase a house. We both agreed that we would want to stay on Long Island because of multiple reasons. One of my reasons was because I want my children to be able to experience the same things as I did as a child, like pumpkin picking and cutting down your own Christmas tree instead of buying ones already cut. Memories like that are very important to me and I felt like if I moved down south or to warmer places, it wouldn't be the same. These are my favorite things about the fall on Long Island.
1. Apple Picking
Apple picking is always fun because of the different types of apples you can pick. You can eat all types of apples but some are better for different things such as baking. Also, depending on when during the season that you go, there are many types of apples you are able pick from. Some are already done for the season, but some are not ready to be picked yet. A little tip, try not to go towards the end of the season (the end of October) because there isn't many to choose from.
2. Pumpkin Picking
Pumpkin picking is probably my favorite activity of them all! Normally I go out east on the island to pick the best place because there's hundreds. Most places have hay rides too and corn mazes you can do. Sometimes they have food, apple cider and roasted corn. It's so nice to see families together, even friends, enjoying each other and having fun picking out pumpkins to carve or paint or bake pumpkin pie. Some people even eat the seeds!
3. Watching Halloween Movies
I'm not much of a movie person but holiday related movies are my favorite. A few that I like to watch during this season are "Hocus Pocus" and all of Disney's "Halloween Town" movies. If you haven't seen them, you NEED to! I'm not really into scary movies but if it has to do with Halloween, I'll watch it. But any other time during the year, heck no. LOL
4. Carving Pumpkins
Okay so yes, I am horrible at carving pumpkins but I love doing it. Trying and seeing if it comes out as good as the image in your head, but it never does, is the best part. Whomever I do it with whether it be my boyfriend, family, friends, I just love spending the quality time together and laughing at everyone's finished product. Sometimes I paint the pumpkin too. That's where the artist still doesn't come out in me, haha. I'm not an artistic person at all but its the effort that counts right?!
5. Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns
There are not many locations for this but Old Westbury Gardens, on Long Island holds an event called Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns and it is really cool. Basically, you walk through a path of 5,000 all amazing and awesome hand-carved pumpkins! There's so many different carvings in these pumpkins like Disney characters, Charlie Brown, animals and so much more. You'll be amazed at what these people can do. The artists spend about 10-15 hours carving each pumpkin! It's definitely appropriate for all ages and you will have tons of fun! They also have hot chocolate and other things you can buy.
6. Haunted Houses
So I did say earlier that I'm not a fan of scary movies, but I do love haunted houses. If that makes any sense. There are so many here on Long Island. The best has to be Bayville Scream Park. It is a little pricey but there is usually a Groupon for it which makes it about half the price. It's about five or six different haunted houses in one park and you can choose which ever ones you want to do. I do enjoy going to Schmitt's Farm haunted houses and their haunted corn maze too. Any one you choose to go to will be good.
7. Pumpkin Spice Everything!
Pumpkin spice is probably the most popular thing around this time of year. They make everything in that flavor. Lattes, cakes, pies, donuts, but my favorite are the sweet smells from Bath & Body Works. They make lotions, soaps and my favorite, candles. But not just plain pumpkin or pumpkin spice, every fall scent you can think of, they make it and they are the absolute BEST things you could ever smell.
