There’s something quite special about Saratoga in the Autumn. Perhaps it’s the combination of small town charm combined with the rural beauty that provide an all-encompassing experience that is difficult to find elsewhere. Picturesque and full of history, Saratoga county grants residents some of the most entertaining and wonderfully haunting experience this upcoming festive season.
Festivals & Events
Taste of the North Country
– Sunday September 29. City Park, Downtown Glens Falls (Adults $5, 12 & Under Free)
This festival offers an opportunity to sample some of the best cuisines available in the area, while listening to live music and enjoying culinary demonstrations. Children’s activities will also be offered.
Food samples range from $1 to $4 each and benefit projects of the Kiwanis Foundation in Glens Falls.
Saratoga Giant Pumpkinfest
– Sunday September 29, 9am-4pm (Free)
Located in the Saratoga Park, this free festival attracts farmers from near and far to see who has grown the biggest pumpkin! A perfect event for the entire family, there are treats, craft vendors, music and more!
Saratoga Food & Wine Festival
– October 4 & 5. Saratoga Performing Arts Center (Price Varies)
The largest fundraiser of the year, the 2019 Saratoga Food & Wine Festival is a two day event featuring some of the finest adult beverages and cuisines Saratoga has to offer. Friday features an exclusive Farm-to-table gourmet dinner option complete with high-end wines and live entertainment. On Saturday guest will have the opportunity to sample beverages from the areas finest wineries, distilleries and breweries.
Christopher Daily Turkey Trot
– November 21 8:30 am – 9:30 am. Broadway on Saratoga Springs South of the Saratoga Hilton Hotel ($25, $27 after November 17)
A non-for-profit run establish in memory of Christopher Daily; an 8 year old little boy who passed suddenly. In honor of his legacy the foundation was establish to fund the construction of a youth recreational facility within the Greater Saratoga area. Register here for more information.
18th Annual Saratoga Fall Festival
– October 26 from 11am-4pm (Free)
An incredible day long event perfect for the entire family! Dress up in those costumes and enjoy trick-or-treating at more than 30 participating locations in downtown Saratoga.
Featuring live entertainment, food, activities, crafters and more, pony rides, dog costume contests and so much more!
Saratoga International Flavorfeast
– October 12, 2019 11am-4pm. 413 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY (Free Admission, Samples $1 each)
Click here for a full listing of restaurants who will be participating in offering food samples.
Family Fun
Family Halloween Party
– Saturday October 26. Schuylerville Public Library 12:00pm-2:00pm (Free)
A free spooky family event featuring a pumpkin decorating contest, trick-or-treating, costume contest, a pinata and more! For more information, click here.
Ellm’s Family Farm
A wonderful place for families to visit during the Autumn months, Ellm’s Famil Farms has one of the largest selection of Fall-themed activities in the area! Corn mazes, rope challenges, ziplines, gemstone mining, farm animals, chicken shows, and a jump park are just some of the many family friendly attractions they offer!
Sunnyside Gardens
– Free entrance, some activities require tickets
The perfect day trip, especially for families with younger children, Sunnyside Gardens has something for individuals of all ages. Go on a spooky hayride through the woods, ride the miniature train, find your way out of the corn maze, walk through the haunted graveyard full of fun characters made of hay! When you’re done, take a walk through the jack-o-lantern tunnel, visit the butterflies, check out the model train display and sample one of the many delicious treats for purchase!
Relax by the tables and enjoy live music while enjoying the ambiance of hundreds of pumpkins, gourds, decorations and gorgeous mums.
Don’t let Fall go by without a visit to this adorable farm.
Kids Day – Trunk or Treat
– Sunday October 27 2:00pm-5:00pm. Saratoga Automobile Museum
Come dress up, decorate your car and trunk-or-treat from car-to-car! Activities will be also be provided by local companies. For more information, click here.
Apple Picking
Bowman Orchard
This orchard features 98 acres of land with over 46 varieties of apples; many of which are available during Pick-Your-Own season.
Pony rides, horse drawn carriage rides, farm animal petting zoo and a kidz corner make this a perfect family visit!
For more pick-your-own options visit these other great local orchards:
Haunted Hayrides
Double M Haunted Hayride
– 678 Rt 67 Ballston Spa, NY (For tickets, click here)
A Halloween staple in Upstate NY for 25 years, this attraction has multiple spooky features, including laser zombie hunting! Opens September 27th.
Spooky Happenings
Haunted Saratoga Ghost Tours
– Friday & Saturdays at 7pm. Adults $20, Children $10
A 90-minute spooky tour detailing some of the most haunted spots in Saratoga along with the infamous ghosts that haunt them.
Haunted Maze at Schuyler Farms
– Visit their website for hours and pricing
With the 2019 theme being the moon landing, this massive 7-acre corn maze is fun for the entire family! For those wanting a scarier experience, visit the maze in October for the haunted version!
Zombie Zips at Mountain Ridge
– Visit website for scheduling and pricing. Ages 14+ ONLY
A terrifying experience high in the trees submerged in total blackness, Zombie Zips boasts that their corpse-guided tour is “not for the faint of heart”.
Candlelight Tour of Schuyler House
– Saturday October 12. Free but reservations are required
Tour the home of General Schuyler’s 1777 country home in candlelight. Led by members of the Old Saratoga Historical Association, this event is free to all but reservations are required.
Nightmares at Liberty Ridge Farms
– Visit their site for scheduling and pricing
With eight spooky attractions, including a corn maze, trolley ride and a variety of haunted house, Liberty Ridge Farms offers an all encompassing experience for those who love a good fright!
For more haunted events and attractions click the links below to learn more about these other great happenings!
Ghosts in the Yaddo Garden Tours