Looking for the best fall activities for families in Western New York? From pumpkin patches and apple picking to fall foliage hikes, Halloween events, scenic train rides and family-friendly festivals, WNY is packed with things to do with kids this autumn.
Fall is one of the best times of year to explore Buffalo, Niagara Falls, the Southern Tier and the surrounding Western New York communities. The weather is crisp, the leaves are changing, farms are in full harvest mode, and there are plenty of family-friendly events happening throughout September and October.
Whether you’re looking for things to do with kids in Buffalo, a weekend fall day trip, or a fun Halloween activity, here are 10 ideas to add to your family’s autumn bucket list.
1. Explore the Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence
Located in Clarence, NY, the Great Pumpkin Farm is a Western New York fall tradition that families look forward to every year.
The 2026 Fall Festival runs September 19 through October 31, with the farm open daily during the festival. Weekdays are free, while weekend admission includes many of the farm’s attractions.
Kids can explore the hay maze, pick out pumpkins, ride the Big Oak Express train, take a hayride through the Enchanted Forest, enjoy the Pumpkin Hill Slide and check out special weekend entertainment.
And let’s be honest—the apple cider donuts and fresh cider are reason enough for a visit.
Highlights include:
- 🎃 Pumpkin picking
- 🌽 Hay maze
- 🚂 Big Oak Express train ride
- 🚜 Hayrides through the Enchanted Forest
- 🎡 Pumpkin Hill Slide and pedal kart rides
- 🎶 Live entertainment
- 🍎 Apple and pumpkin donuts
- 🐐 Petting zoo
👉 Visit the Great Pumpkin Farm for 2026 dates, hours, attractions and ticket information.
2. Take a Scenic Fall Hike
Fall is the perfect time to explore Western New York’s parks and hiking trails. Once the leaves begin changing, the region’s forests become a spectacular mix of red, orange and gold.
One of the most popular fall destinations is Letchworth State Park, famously known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” The park offers numerous hiking trails, waterfalls, overlooks and picnic areas.
For families looking for something closer to Buffalo, consider:
- Glen Falls Park in Williamsville – a relatively short outing with a beautiful waterfall.
- Chestnut Ridge Park in Orchard Park – a longtime WNY favorite for hiking and exploring.
- Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo – an especially good option for younger children. Tifft has five miles of nature trails, including an accessible trail suitable for wheelchairs, walkers and strollers.
- Devil’s Hole State Park near Niagara Falls – spectacular gorge scenery and hiking trails for families with older children. Be sure to check current trail conditions before heading out because portions of the gorge trail can close.
👉 Check New York State Parks for Letchworth before your trip for maps, trail information and current conditions.
3. Celebrate Halloween at Boo at the Zoo
Looking for a Halloween activity for kids in Buffalo? Put Boo at the Zoo on your list.
The Buffalo Zoo’s annual Halloween event gives families a chance to enjoy the zoo while celebrating the spooky season. Kids can dress in costume and enjoy Halloween-themed entertainment and activities.
For 2026, Boo at the Zoo is scheduled for October 17, 23 and 24 from 4–8 p.m.
It’s a fun choice for families who want Halloween excitement without heading to one of Western New York’s scarier haunted attractions.
👉 Check the Buffalo Zoo’s event calendar for the latest Boo at the Zoo details and ticket information.
4. Go Apple Picking at a Western New York Orchard
Few things say fall in Western New York quite like spending an afternoon in an apple orchard.
September and October are prime apple-picking season, and many WNY farms offer much more than just apples. Depending on the farm, you may find cider donuts, fresh-pressed cider, hayrides, farm animals, pumpkins and other fall activities.
Becker Farms
Becker Farms in Gasport is a popular destination for a full fall day trip, with apple picking, farm activities, a playground, petting zoo and more.
👉 Visit Becker Farms for current picking information and fall activities.
Smith’s Orchard Cider Mill
For a more traditional apple-picking experience, check out Smith’s Orchard Cider Mill in Pendleton. The family farm offers pick-your-own apples along with fresh-pressed cider, cider slushies and its famous cider donuts. The farm reports reopening for the 2026 season on September 12–13.
👉 Visit Smith’s Orchard Cider Mill
Blackman Homestead Farm
Blackman Homestead Farm in Lockport is another family-friendly option. The six-generation farm offers apple picking and farm experiences, with its 2026 apple-picking season scheduled to open September 18.
👉 Visit Blackman Homestead Farm
Pro tip: Always check a farm’s website or social media before heading out. Apple varieties ripen at different times, and picking conditions can change quickly.
5. Spend the Day at Niagara Falls State Park
Niagara Falls is spectacular any time of year, but fall is an especially beautiful time to visit.
Cooler temperatures make walking around the park more comfortable, while the changing leaves add another layer of color to the Niagara Gorge.
Families can explore Niagara Falls State Park, walk along the falls and gorge, and choose from several attractions and tours.
Consider adding:
- Maid of the Mist
- Cave of the Winds
- Niagara Gorge hiking
- Scenic overlooks
- Niagara Scenic Trolley
For a less touristy adventure, head to the Devil’s Hole area of Niagara Falls State Park. The area includes scenic overlooks, picnic areas and hiking trails overlooking the rapids and gorge.
Tip: If you’re planning a Niagara Falls day trip with kids, give yourself more time than you think you’ll need. Between the falls, walking trails, attractions and lunch, it’s easy to fill an entire day.
6. Visit the Ellicottville Fall Festival
If you’re looking for a fall festival near Buffalo, the Ellicottville Fall Festival is one of Western New York’s biggest autumn traditions.
The 2026 festival takes place October 10–11. The village transforms into a walkable four-block arts and crafts festival featuring vendors, live music, food, shops and family activities.
Families can also head over to Holiday Valley for scenic chairlift rides and spectacular views of the surrounding hills.
What to expect:
- 🎨 Arts and crafts vendors
- 🎵 Live music
- 🎢 Family activities and rides
- 🚡 Scenic chairlift rides
- 🍎 Fall food and treats
- 🛍️ Shopping throughout the village
- 🍂 Beautiful Southern Tier fall foliage
👉 Get the latest Ellicottville Fall Festival information before you go.
7. Take a Ghost Walk or Haunted Adventure
If your kids are older and enjoy a little spooky fun, Western New York has plenty of Halloween adventures.
Haunted History Ghost Walks offer guided walking tours through some of Buffalo’s historic neighborhoods, combining local history with ghost stories and legends. Current 2026 tours include locations such as the Old First Ward, Allentown, Larkinville and the Richardson-Olmsted District.
For families looking for something more intense, there are also haunted attractions and hayrides around the region.
A word of caution: “Family-friendly” means very different things to different families when it comes to Halloween! Check the attraction’s age recommendations before bringing younger children.
👉 See current Haunted History Ghost Walks for dates and locations.
8. Spend a Chilly Day at Explore & More Children’s Museum
Sometimes autumn in Buffalo means rain, wind and temperatures that make you want to stay inside.
That’s when Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum comes in handy.
Located at Canalside in downtown Buffalo, the museum features three floors of interactive, hands-on exhibits focused on Buffalo and Western New York. Current exhibits include Building Buffalo, Farm to Fork, Moving Water, Driving Buffalo’s Dreams and more.
The museum is particularly well suited to younger children, especially toddlers through elementary-school age.
And there’s another reason to put it on your fall calendar: Science + You, a new temporary exhibit, opens September 26, 2026.
👉 Plan your visit to Explore & More for current hours, exhibits, admission and special events.
9. Take a Fall Foliage Train Ride on the Arcade & Attica Railroad
Want to see Western New York’s fall colors without spending the day hiking?
Climb aboard the Arcade & Attica Railroad for a scenic fall foliage train ride through the countryside.
October is the railroad’s Fall Foliage Month, with steam-powered excursions running on an extended schedule. The railroad describes itself as the only steam train in New York State operating regular passenger excursions.
The Fall Foliage excursion lasts approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes and travels through the beautiful hills of Wyoming County. Cider and donuts are available for purchase, because apparently fall requires carbs. 🍎
Train ride highlights:
- 🚂 Historic steam locomotive
- 🍂 Fall foliage views
- 🌳 Western New York countryside
- 🍎 Local cider and donuts
- 👨👩👧👦 Fun for kids and adults
👉 Check the Arcade & Attica Fall Foliage schedule for tickets and current departure times.
10. Visit a Pumpkin Patch or Corn Maze
Finally, no Western New York fall bucket list would be complete without a pumpkin patch or corn maze.
These are some of the easiest fall activities to turn into a full family afternoon. Pick out pumpkins, wander through a maze, take some family photos, enjoy cider and donuts, and let the kids burn off some energy.
Akron Acres
One option to consider is Akron Acres, a family-run agritourism farm in Akron that offers pumpkin picking, hayrides and other seasonal activities. The farm has been operated by the Kelkenberg family since 1990.
👉 Visit Akron Acres for current seasonal information.
You can also revisit some of the farms mentioned above, including Great Pumpkin Farm, Becker Farms and Blackman Homestead Farm, for additional pumpkin and fall activities.
🍂 Make Your Western New York Fall Bucket List
Whether your family loves pumpkin patches, apple picking, hiking, Halloween, fall festivals or simply getting outside to enjoy the changing leaves, Western New York offers plenty of ways to make the most of autumn.
From Buffalo and Niagara Falls to Clarence, Ellicottville, Lockport, Akron and the Southern Tier, there are family-friendly fall activities within an easy drive of just about anywhere in the region.
So grab your flannel, your camera and—obviously—a cider donut, and start checking these WNY fall activities off your list.
Which one will your family try first?
Find more fall family fun activities this way!
