6 Fantastic Fall Destinations Just Outside of NYC

<small>image from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151209462789587&amp;set=a.10151209459294587.487610.121029089586&amp;type=3&amp;theater">Discover Outdoors</a></small> Some of the best ways to enjoy the fall season require you to head just a little outside city limits (but are well worth it). From apple picking to sprawling sculpture gardens to haunted hay rides, there are plenty of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/6-cant-miss-green-activities-to-do-this-fall-in-nyc/">fun seasonal activities</a> to discover just a hop and a skip away from the five boroughs, so read on to see all of our top picks!

<small>image from <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-59897548/stock-photo-detail-on-hand-picking-up-a-yummy-red-apple-directly-on-the-tree-during-late-summer.html">shutterstock</a></small><p> One of our favorite things about fall in NYC is the quick commute to some of the best apple-picking destinations in the country. While apples are the most popular option, there are also several orchards and farms where you can get your hands on pumpkins and other fall produce. Just to name a few, <a href="http://www.finksfarm.com/">Finks Country Farm</a>, <a href="http://www.harbesfamilyfarm.com/">Herbs Family Farm</a>, and <a href="http://www.applewoodorchards.com/ApplewoodOrchards.com/Home.html">Applewood Orchard and Winery</a> are all excellent options, but there are plenty others to choose from. Check out <a href="http://nyapplecountry.com/">nyapplecountry.com</a> or <a href="http://pickyourown.org/">pickyourown.org</a> for more information.

<small>image from <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-39726694/stock-photo-bear-mountain-bridge-on-hudson-river-with-autumn-leaves.html">shutterstock</a></small> <p> As the weather gets colder, the color of the leaves on the trees in and around NYC are getting warmer. From Connecticut to New Jersey there are scenic foliage routes all over the tri-state area. For example, in an hour or so of travel-time  you can find beautiful vistas at <a href="http://nysparks.com/parks/13/details.aspx">Bear Mountain State Park</a>, or <a href="http://www.blackrockforest.org/">Black Rock Forest</a>, just to name a few. However, you don’t have to leave the city to catch a glimpse of this autumn beauty – there are turning leaves just outside your door. <a href="http://www.nycgovparks.org/">The New York City Parks Department</a> does a great job of maintaining our parks all year round, and places like <a href="http://www.nybg.org/">The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx</a>, <a href="http://www.prospectpark.org/visit">Prospect Park</a>, and <a href="http://nysparks.com/parks/166/details.aspx">Staten Island Clay Pit Ponds State Park</a> might be exactly what you're looking for.

<small>image from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151209462789587&amp;set=a.10151209459294587.487610.121029089586&amp;type=3&amp;theater">Discover Outdoors</a></small> For those of you that love the outdoors companies like <a href="http://www.brooklynoutfitters.com/">Brooklyn Outfitters</a>, and <a href="http://www.discoveroutdoors.com/">Discover Outdoors</a> make it easy to plan your next fall adventure. Weather it's spending the day <a href="http://www.discoveroutdoors.com/index.php/trips/sub/beaches_vineyards_bike_tour1/5070">biking through the woods followed by a visit to a local vineyard</a>, <a href="http://www.brooklynoutfitters.com/proddir/prod/478/506/?RedirectURL=%2F%2F0%2F50%2F%3FSearch%5Bstart_date%5D%5Bmin%5D%3D2012-10-16">hiking along alongside waterfalls</a> or <a href="http://www.brooklynoutfitters.com/proddir/prod/478/491/?RedirectURL=%2F%2F0%2F50%2F%3FSearch%5Bstart_date%5D%5Bmin%5D%3D2012-10-16">practicing yoga from a mountaintop</a> they have something for everybody.

If you're looking for an activity that offers the perfect combination of fresh air and culture, a day trip to <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/storm-king-art-center-a-summer-retreat-for-the-artsy-nature-loving-new-yorker/">Storm King Art Center</a> should be at the top of your list. This beautiful sculpture park is located in the lower Hudson Valley, just one hour north of New York City. The 500-acre landscape of hills and woodlands is the home to more than 100 site sculptures representing an impressive <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/storm-king-art-center-to-host-a-honey-bee-apiary-by-artist-peter-coffin/">collection of artists and exhibitions</a>. You can <a href="http://www.stormking.org/">explore the center</a> by foot, tram or bike rental and they offer several travel packages that make getting there for NYC a no-brainer.

This year enjoy getting lost at the <a href="http://www.queensfarm.org/">Queens Country Farm Museum</a> in their <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/get-lost-in-the-queens-county-farm-museums-amazing-maize-maze/">3 acre interactive corn maze</a>. This unique adventure starts out with a "stalk talk" to help prepare you for the challenge ahead, and you're going to need it! In order to make your way out of the maze you have to find clues and solve puzzels. The maze is open on Saturdays and Sundays through the month of October.

<small>image from <a href="http://www.headlesshorseman.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=52&amp;Itemid=66r">Headless Horseman Hay Ride</a></small> The crisp autumn air doesn't just mean the leaves are changing, but it's also the first sign that Halloween is right around the corner. A great way to get the best of both worlds is to see what Halloween has to offer just outside of the city in the Hudson Valley. You can gather the kiddies for a <a href="http://www.headlesshorseman.com/">Headless Horseman</a> hay ride in Ulster Park, visit <a href="http://www.massacremansion.com/">Massacre Mansion</a> and its haunted graveyard (beware the graveyard is kept up by Crazy Joe the Grave digger), or test your luck at <a href="Hell-orama at the Villa Roma">Hell-orama</a> at the Villa Roma as fall transforms it into a haunted hotel and terror resort.