Saratoga Springs in the Fall: Enjoy County-Wide Adventures & Events
Saratoga Springs in the fall is jam-packed with a variety of events, leaf-peeping adventures, fun activities at farms and orchards, and spooky happenings just in time for Halloween. This season, explore all there is to enjoy about autumn in the Saratoga area.
Pick Flavorful Apples & Sample Delicious Cider
Saratoga Apple
Saratoga Apple in Schuylerville is a must-visit fall spot. Although they are a working orchard and farm market open year-round, you'll want to make a point to stop by during the fall. Take advantage of u-pick apples in season and try their incredible hard cider and delectable cider donuts!
Saratoga Apple has had a strong presence in the Saratoga area for over five generations, appearing at local farmers markets like the Saratoga Farmers Market. The orchard's low-spray techniques and micronutrient fertilization ensure quality apples every season.
They also offer two hard ciders now, available for tasting and purchase at the tasting room. They've installed a 12-tap system for New York local hard ciders and beers, and you'll find their coolers stocked with a tempting selection for purchase.
Bowman Orchards
Bowman Orchards in Rexford is another favorite apple-picking location in the Saratoga area. This impressive orchard grows over 46 varieties of apples, going beyond the typical McIntosh, Cortland, and Empires you're likely to see in this region.
The website lists various apples, including lesser-known varieties like Ruby Frost, SnapDragon, and Pinova. Call ahead or check the website before your visit to find out what varieties are available and when.
This orchard has a fun backstory. Although the Bowman family has owned and operated the establishment for many years, it was originally owned by Elizabeth Shepherd and her family in the 1800s. Elizabeth Shepherd was the sister of John McIntosh, the man the McIntosh apple was named after.
Discover the Best Fall Foliage in Saratoga County
An integral part of the autumn experience is all of the colorful foliage. Saratoga County in particular has some true hotspots where you can have a front row seat to see the brilliant reds, golds, and yellows on the trees. Here are our top picks:
Congress Park
Congress Park, shown in the picture above, is a gorgeous spot to walk around and enjoy the foliage. It's located in Saratoga Springs.
The park is known for its many gorgeous statues and other features that pair beautifully with the sights of fall foliage. The best time to experience its full beauty is during the fall, so don't miss the chance this year.
If the weather is warm enough, many enjoy picnicking in this park because of the lush grass, beautiful gardens, and numerous fountains.
Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway
Based in Corinth, the Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway offers a fun and unique way to see the changing leaves in the region. Book one of their Autumn Express train rides and enjoy a 60-minute trip to Kings Station and back.
Along the way, you'll have a fantastic view of local wildlife, woods, marshes, and swamps, and, of course, fall colors on the trees.
Guests can choose from many different seating options and train types, including private events, to make the experience even more enjoyable. Guests who have ridden the train in the past can't stop talking about how relaxing the ride was, making it easy to chill and take in the scenery.
Visit their website to see the full schedule of train rides, and book your leaf peeping adventure now!
Saratoga Spa State Park
If you'd like to embark on a quick hike or walk to enjoy the foliage, you should check out Saratoga Spa State Park. In addition to fall foliage, the park has several great trails.
The trails are relatively short, ranging from .22 miles to 1.8 miles, and you can also visit some of Spa City's famous mineral springs scattered around the park while you're at it.
The Spa State Park is great for the whole family to relax and enjoy some easy leaf-peeping. With many picnic spots, you can make a day out of it if the weather is nice.
The Battlefield at Saratoga National Historical Park
Saratoga National Historical Park is located in nearby Stillwater. It is steeped in history and filled with foliage come fall. You can relax at a picnic table to enjoy the vibrant leaves, discover several hiking trails, and ride on the Driving Tour Road. Admission is free.
Not only do you get to see the leaves, but you also get to take in the intriguing history of the park. Past visitors talk about how they can spend hours in the park and still have more that they want to explore.
While the Saratoga National Historical Park is a great attraction on its own, the fall foliage makes it even better.
Hadley Mountain
If you're looking to incorporate a hike into your leaf-peeping adventures, Hadley Mountain is a particularly ideal choice, known for its spectacular foliage.
Hadley Mountain is about an hour north of Saratoga Springs in the southern Adirondacks. The trail is about a three-mile round trip and is considered a moderate and family-friendly hike.
The only thing that makes fall foliage better looking is even more of it, so get your hiking shoes on and head to the top of Hadley Mountain for foliage as far as the eye can see.
See more fall hikes in the Saratoga area »
Find Farm Fun & Kid-Friendly Activities
Ellms Family Farm
If you have kids, one fall hotspot you can't skip is Ellms Family Farm in Ballston Spa. When you think of fall activities for kids, pumpkin picking, exploring corn mazes, and meeting farm animals might come to mind. Ellms has all of these, but it also has much more.
Ellms offers over 30 activities ranging from a spider web climber to a ropes course, duck races, pumpkin bowling, corn and apple cannons, pedal carts, jump pads, a jumping pillow, and more - have we enticed you yet?
This place is like a kid's haven for adventure and excitement. The extra bonus is that all this running around and playtime will undoubtedly tire the little ones out for a great night's sleep at home later.
Schuyler Farms
More fall farm fun awaits at Schuyler Farms in Schuylerville!
They're best known for their seven-acre corn maze but offer more activities: hayrides, pumpkin picking, a petting zoo, zip lines, and more. Although you can certainly bring the kids, they always have something going on for all ages.
While their corn maze is family-friendly by day, haunting begins at night. The Haunted Corn Maze takes place every Friday and Saturday night in October. Every twist and turn will bring a new horror! Read on to learn about other spooky spots you can enjoy in Saratoga County.
Embrace Your Spooky Side at These Halloween Happenings
Haunted Saratoga Ghost Tours
Ready to learn about all the spirits who dwell in Saratoga Springs? Embark on a Haunted Saratoga Ghost Tour, a 90-minute walking tour filled with frights and fascinating tales.
Hear bewitching stories, discover fascinating historical facts, and experience dramatic reenactments. Maybe you'll meet a spirit or two along the way! Tours happen every Friday and Saturday from May through early November.
The tour guides tie the experience together as they are informative and entertaining. One Google reviewer said her guide "could be a professional actor the way he had us entranced and entertained."
Double M Haunted Hayrides
You have not been on a truly haunted hayride until you've visited Double M Haunted Hayrides in Ballston Spa. For the 2024 fall season, the popular attraction will once again feature a spooky hayride through the woods, followed by a series of terrifying attractions.
Get ready to step inside Brutality (a post-apocalyptic compound), escape from The Last Inn, navigate out of Slaughter Swamp, and much more.
Despite the attraction's name, the hayride is just the start. The fright lasts the entire night until you get back into your car. Horror fanatics and fans of the thrill will love this haunted attraction.
Mark Your Calendar for These Annual Fall Events Throughout the County
Saratoga Giant PumpkinFest
Pumpkins are a quintessential symbol of the fall season, and you can see the biggest in the area at the Saratoga Giant PumpkinFest.
Pumpkin growers from all over the Northeast participate in this ultimate pumpkin competition to determine who has the largest pumpkin.
The 2024 Saratoga Giant PumpkinFest will be held on Saturday, September 28, at the Saratoga Springs City Center Parking Garage.
Harvest Festival in Halfmoon
Plan a trip to Halfmoon for the annual Harvest Festival!
This family-friendly event is free to attend and includes pumpkin decorating, shopping/vendors, a rock climbing wall, pony rides, bounce houses, a petting zoo, carnival games, hayrides, and more activities.
The 2024 Harvest Festival will be held on Saturday, September 21, at Halfmoon Town Park.
Saratoga Showcase of Homes
The Saratoga Showcase of Homes is a hugely popular event held annually in the fall.
During the event, you can tour the area's finest homes, learn about the latest happenings in the home building and interior design industry, and then vote for your favorite. Local home builders and designers build all of the featured houses.
The 2024 Saratoga Showcase of Homes is scheduled for October 5-6 and October 12-13.
The Great Pumpkin Challenge
Each fall, Saratoga Bridges hosts the annual Great Pumpkin Challenge 5K/10K in beautiful Saratoga Spa State Park. This fun run is an excellent opportunity to get outdoors, see fall colors on the trees, and support a good cause.
Register ahead of time and start preparing for the race!
Check out more upcoming fall events »
Have an Awesome Autumn
From the festivals to the foliage, autumn in Saratoga County is truly special. Whether you're a local discovering new things to love about this area or looking to make the most of a visit, fall is the perfect time to explore the sights, sounds, and tastes of Saratoga.
This article is sponsored by Saratoga County Tourism. Note: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or view of Saratoga County Tourism or its members.