Fall Fun Finds on Long Island

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Tammy Severino is the President of RPC Development, a business and development consulting firm for local businesses and not-for-profit organizations. She has more than 20 years of experience in writing, from business writing to journalism to creative writing. In her spare time, this fashionista follows and writes about fashion, travel, and other lifestyle topics.
    Every season you can find fun things to do on Long Island. The region is packed with things to do and see during the fall months. Pick the ones that will tickle you, and head out to enjoy them. Though this is, by no means, a full listing of everything to do on the Island during the season ahead, but it should get you started.
    On LI, fall is synonymous with fairs. There are many held locally with crafts, petting zoos, carnival games, shopping, live bands, and yummy treats reflective of the season (roasted corn, caramel apples, and spiced apple cider, just to name a few). Signage abounds as you go from town to town, though a quick Internet search will show you every local event.  For regional or themed events, try Huntington’s Fall Festival or Greenport’s Maritime Festival. Arrive early if you can as parking becomes a challenge as the day goes on.
    If you like the outdoors or good things that come to harvest in fall, head out east to go apple or pumpkin picking. The list of farms on the east end is a big one. At our house, we are partial to Lewin Farms. After we pick our pumpkins and fruit, we head to their farm stand for additional fruits and veggies, along with mums, homemade breads and jams. Yum!
    Interested in some organized Halloween fun? Head over to Old Westbury Gardens for Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns, a display of hundreds of carved pumpkins that never disappoints. How about a child and family-friendly Halloween Party? On Halloween weekend, you can take your costume clad little ones to the Ghostly Gala 2015, a safe and fun trick-or-treating and learning extravaganza. Old Bethpage Restoration Village has an 1800’s Haunted Halloween day with pumpkin carving, ghost tours, costumes and even an afternoon parade. No kids in tow? Up for a good scare? Try NYZ Apocalypse, Gateway’s Haunted Playhouse or The Haunted Castle at Sands Point Preserve.
    Though I am a huge fan of the summer, even I cannot deny the beauty of autumn. The season brings with it more temperate weather and
remarkable colors. To explore some of the beauty of fall, you can pick any of Long Island’s remarkable parks or beaches and meander. Walking through our region in each season will give you a glimpse of the untouched beauty that exists all around us. So, while the weather is quite friendly, stroll through a path, walk along the beach, visit one of LI’s arboretums, or pick another spot that speaks to you. You will be treated to spectacular hues, cool breezes and bright skies. You need not leave Long Island to find nature’s beauty in the fall. It is all around us.