Fall in New York City feels like stepping into a storybook. The air turns crisp, leaves scatter across sidewalks in a swirl of red and gold, and everywhere you go, pumpkins appear. Some perch on stoops in Brooklyn brownstones, others line the shelves of city markets, and plenty more are waiting to be picked at NYC pumpkin patches.
For families, friends, and anyone who loves autumn, these patches and markets capture the magic of the season. Whether you want to wander through fields, taste fresh apple cider donuts, or shop for handcrafted goods at seasonal fairs, there’s a corner of the city (or just outside it) ready to make your fall unforgettable.
Let’s go on a journey through pumpkin picking in NYC, the most festive markets, and the NYC fall harvest festivals that give the season its glow.
A Day at Queens County Farm Museum
When people ask where to find the best pumpkin patches in NYC, the answer usually starts with Queens. The Queens County Farm Museum is the city’s only working historic farm, and it becomes a fall wonderland every October.
Here, you can stroll the 47-acre grounds past rows of bright orange pumpkins just waiting to be chosen. It feels almost surreal—this slice of countryside set in the middle of Queens. Families bring kids to hunt for the perfect jack-o’-lantern, couples take photos among the vines, and groups of friends carry armfuls of gourds toward the hay wagons.
Fall Events Hosted By The Farm Museum
The farm also hosts one of the biggest NYC fall pumpkin festivals. This classic autumn activity, the Pumpkin Patch, is open daily throughout October. It offers a chance to pick your own pumpkin. You’ll find a sprawling corn maze, hayrides, and farm animals that charm kids and adults alike.
Beyond their pumpkin patches, you can indulge in other seasonal events for all ages. A highlight is The Amazing Maize Maze, which challenges visitors to navigate a three-acre corn maze to find clues and solve a puzzle. The maze is open on weekends from September 6 to October 26, as well as on two fall holidays, October 13 and 20. The farm also hosts Maze By Moonlight, a special nighttime experience on October 18 and October 31, allowing guests to explore the maze under the stars.
If you’re planning ahead, make sure to check for NYC pumpkin patch tickets, since weekends can get busy.
Halloween Magic in the Pumpkin Fields
Of course, pumpkins aren’t just for pies and soups—they’re the stars of Halloween. That’s why families search every year for Halloween pumpkin patches in NYC.
There’s something special about picking your pumpkin in the cool October air, imagining it later glowing on your doorstep with a spooky grin. At places like Queens County Farm on October 25 and 26, Decker Farm on Staten Island, and smaller NYC pumpkin patch locations, kids rush through the rows pointing out which one will make the scariest jack-o’-lantern.
These pumpkin patch events in NYC also go beyond pumpkins. Expect face painting, live music, food stalls, and photo opportunities that feel straight out of a fall postcard. Halloween and pumpkin patches just go hand in hand.
Decker Farm: Staten Island’s Slice of Autumn
If you want another local farm option, Staten Island’s Historic Richmond Town transforms Decker Farm into a cozy pumpkin patch every October. This is one of those NYC fall family activities that feels timeless.
The farm has hayrides, old-fashioned pumpkin picking, and plenty of treats. Unlike larger farms outside the city, this one feels quieter and more personal. Families return year after year, making it a tradition. Kids get to experience a little taste of farming life, right in the city.
Decker Farm is proof that you don’t need to travel far to indulge in real pumpkin picking in NYC.
A Day Trip to Barton Orchards
Sometimes, though, the adventure calls for a road trip. Barton Orchards in Poughquag, about an hour and a half north of the city, is worth the drive.
This farm is massive, with everything from a huge pumpkin patch to apple orchards, a petting zoo, live music, and food stands. The smell of apple cider donuts fills the air, and you’ll probably end up carrying home a bag of them along with your pumpkin haul.
Families love Barton because kids can run free, get lost in the corn maze, or ride the hay wagons. For adults, there are local craft beers and hard cider. It’s the kind of place where a simple fall day turns into a full-on celebration.
Even though it’s outside the five boroughs, Barton Orchards is still considered a favorite NYC pumpkin patch event in 2025. It’s where city folks go when they want the complete fall farm experience.
Other Fall Events Hosted by Barton Orchards
Get into the Halloween spirit with the Haunted House & Corn Maze at Barton Orchards, open every Friday until October 31st from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This event offers a thrilling experience for those brave enough to navigate the spooky haunted house and get lost in the winding, eerie corn maze as dusk settles over the orchard.
Barton Orchards has two great weekends of events to celebrate the fall season. The Harvest Festival Weekend, from October 11th-13th, will be an amazing NYC fall harvest festival, with activities like hayrides, apple picking, and live music. Later in the month, the Tract-or-Treat Weekend will take place on Saturday, October 25th, and Sunday, October 26th. This is a perfect event for families, offering a festive and safe way for children to trick-or-treat.
Local Markets That Bring Fall to Life
Not every fall tradition is about NYC pumpkin patches and farms. In New York, city markets transform just as beautifully as the trees in Central Park. Seasonal bazaars, artisan fairs, and pop-up shops create a harvest atmosphere in the middle of bustling streets.
NYC Autumn Bazaar
The NYC Autumn Bazaar is one of the highlights of the season. Imagine stalls filled with handmade candles, cozy sweaters, and fresh baked goods. Pumpkin spice fills the air, and you can sip hot cider while browsing local art.
This market is the perfect mix of city culture and fall charm. Even if you don’t need more pumpkins, the vibe here makes it one of the most beloved NYC fall harvest festivals.
FAD Market
Another seasonal staple is FAD Market, which pops up in Brooklyn and Manhattan. It focuses on fashion, art, and design, but when fall arrives, pumpkins and seasonal treats sneak their way in.
FAD is one of those NYC fall family activities where parents shop for handmade goods while kids snack on kettle corn or seasonal sweets. It’s not a farm, but it’s very much part of the autumn scene.
Family Traditions That Last
What makes fall so special in New York is how it blends city energy with country charm. You can spend Saturday morning at a farm, picking your pumpkin straight from the vine, and Sunday afternoon wandering through a seasonal market with live music and craft stalls.
For families, these outings become yearly traditions. Kids remember the thrill of tugging a pumpkin through the patch. Parents remember the photos and laughter. And everyone remembers the taste of that first apple cider donut of the season.
That’s what makes pumpkin patches in NYC more than just a day out. They’re memories in the making.
Ready to make the most of autumn in the city? From cozy strolls through NYC pumpkin patches to exploring the buzz of the NYC Autumn Bazaar, fall in New York is about creating moments you’ll remember all season long.
Let VisitNYC.com be your NYC travel guide to everything fall in the city. We’ll show you where to find the most charming pumpkin picking in NYC, the top Halloween pumpkin patches in NYC, and the must-visit NYC fall harvest festivals.
Start planning your autumn adventures now. Explore the magic of fall with VisitNYC.com—and let this season in New York become your best one yet.
