What To Do Columbus Day Weekend
What To Do Columbus Day Weekend
Chihuly Nights, New York Botanical Garden, Thurs-Sat, through October: 6:30-10:30pm: NYBG’s current installation of 20 large scale sculptures from renowned artist Dale Chihuly take on are spectacularly illuminated amid the garden’s sweeping vistas at these evening events. Stroll the grounds and enjoy performance artists, musicians, food and an Avion Tequila cocktail while you are there. (2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx; www.nybg.org)
Oktoberfest, Stamford Museum & Nature Center – Fri, 10/6: 7-10pm: This one’s for adults only. Sample seasonal brews, enjoy authentic German fare and check out the S’mores Bar. Live DJ. (39 Scofiledtown Rd, Stamford; www.stamfordmuseum.org)
Hot Ticket Alert! Annual Stone Barns Harvest Fest – Sat, 10/7: 10am-3pm: Their 14th annual celebration and fundraiser will be a hot ticket so sign up early. THIS EVENT ALWAYS SELLS OUT! Live music, hands-on farming activities, food crafting, a seasonal food and farmer’s market, hayrides, sheep moving, turkey herding and live music around the farm. (630 Bedford Rd., Pocantico Hills; www.stonebarnscenter.org)
Fall Foliage Hike, Ward Pound Ridge Reservation – Sat, 10/7: 1pm: Meet at the Trailside Museum for a hike to some of the best views at the Reservation.(6 Reservation Rd., Pound Ridge)
Fall Fest, Hilltop Hanover Farm – Sat-Mon, 10/7-9: 10am-5pm: A weekend of farm activities including hay rides, pumpkin picking, hikes on 3.5 miles of marked trails, farm animals, farm stand and u-pick veggies and more. (1271 Hanover St., Yorktown Heights; www.hilltophanoverfarm.org)
Hudson Valley Bacon Bash & 5K Run – Sat, 10/7: 2-6pm: Bacon 45 different ways and their first ever 5K run. This s@#t is crazy! The ultimate day for bacon lovers! This family friendly event features bacon themed food and craft vendors, a bacon competition where you can be the judge, live bands and bacon themed games. Sounds like a total pig-out to us. And we mean that in a good way. (Orange County Farmer’s Museum, 850 Rt. 17K, Montgomery, NY; www.baconbashny.com)
Fall Classic Baseball Card Show, County Center – Fri-Sun, 10/6-8: check times: Thousands of autographed/game used inserts, modern and vintage sports cards (Pre 1900’s – current), factory/hand collated sets, hobby and wax boxes – all sports and non-sport, graded cards – PSA/BGS/SGC commons and set fillers for your new or old sets! Sports card supplies, ball holders and autograph holders, On-Site autograph authentication (JSA or PSA). (198 Central Ave., White Plains; www.countycenter.biz)
Local! Campfire Stories & S’mores, Muscoot Farm –Fri, 10/6: 7pm: What’s better than story time and s’mores at the farm. Moo, bah, la-la-la! (51 Rt. 100, Katonah)
Local! Tim Kubart & The Space Cadets, Chapp-Pac, Sun, 10/8: 2pm: Awarded a Grammy for Best Children’s Album, Tim Kubart is the host of the popular preschool program Sunny Side Up, on NBC Universal’s Sprout Channel. He is also known as the “Tambourine Guy” from the international touring group Postmodern Jukebox. Tim Kubart & The Space Cadets deliver a family friendly dance party for all ages. (480 Bedford Road, Chappaqua; 914.458-5143; tickets)
The Psychedelic Furs, Tarrytown Music Hall – Fri, 10/6: 8pm: British Post-Punk-ers scored big with the songs “Love My Way” and “Pretty In Pink” used in the John Hughes movie of the same name. (13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)
Third Eye Blind, Capitol Theatre – Sat, 10/7: 8pm: Their late 90’s album, Third Eye Blind, went six-times platinum with three Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100including “Semi-Charmed Life”, “Jumper” and “How’s It Going to Be”. (149 Westchester Ave., Port Chester; www.capitoltheatre.com)
Buddy Guy, Paramount Music Hall – Sun, 10/8: 7pm: Clapton, Hendrix, Stevie Ray and Jimmy Page all grew up listening to this Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award-winner who defined Chicago Blues. No. 30 on Rolling Stone’s Top guitarists of all time for anyone keeping score. (1008 Brown St., Peekskill; www.paramounthudsonvalley.com)
Annie Get Your Gun, Westchester Broadway Theatre – Thurs-Sun, 9/14-11/26: check times: Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Traveling Show and Irving Berlin’s classic score is the backdrop for this romantic gender duel from 1946 as sharpshooter Frank Butler meets his match in Annie Oakley. “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better”, “They Say It’s Wonderful”, “I Got the Sun in the Morning”, Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly ”, and the show-stopper “There’s No Business Like Show Business”. (One Broadway Plaza, Elmsford: www.broadwaytheatre.com)
Local! Private Eyes, Arc Stages Pleasantville – Fri-Sun, 9/22-10/7: 8 & 2pm. In Steven Dietz’s comedy of suspicion nothing is quite what it seems. Matthew’s wife Lisa is having an affair with Adrian, a theatre director. Or is that just part of the play? The audience gets to play detective in this “relationship thriller” about love, lust and deception. (147 Wheeler Ave., Pleasantville; www.arcstages.org)
SITI Company: Hanjo, Performing Arts Center – Fri, 10/6: 8pm: This cross-cultural and bi-lingual play about a hanjo (a summer fan or summer fling) by Yukio Mishima is based on a 14th century Noh play adapted from a Han Dynasty poem. Mishima sets Hanjo in 20th century Japan bringing age-old issues of gender and identity into a relevant modern setting. (735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)
Local! LOHUD Comedy, Schoolhouse Theater – Fri, 10/6: 8pm: One night! Three comics! Featuring: “Everyone’s favorite dad”, Tim Hayes, winner of the Sarcasm Comedy Competition and Stand Up New York vet. Regina Decicco, who worked behind the scenes at SNL before winning the 2012 Ladies Laughter Competition. Tony nominee, Adam Oliensis won the 2013 Paramount Theatre Stand-Up Star Search Competition despite many years of psychotherapy. (3 Owens Rd, North Salem; www.schoolhousetheater.org)
Steven Wright, Ridgefield Playhouse – Fri, 10/6: 8pm: Deadpan one liners like ”If God dropped acid would he see people?” “What’s Another Word for Thesaurus?” placed Steven Wright at No. 15 on Rolling Stone’s Best Standup Comedians of all time. They also named his 1985 A Steven Wright Special No. 17 on their list of Best Standup Specials of All Time. And Spin Magazine ranked his I Have a Pony as the No. 14 Comedy Album of All Time. “Is it weird in here or is it just me?” (80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)
Local! Laurel Masse and John Hall’s Songs and Stories, Schoolhouse Theater, Sat, 10/7: 8pm: Founding member of The Manhattan Transfer, Laurel Masse and John Hall, founder of the band Orleans (“Still The One”, “Dance With Me”) and former Congressman team up for an evening of songs and stories. (3 Owens Rd, North Salem; www.schoolhousetheater.org)
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra with Cicely Parnas, Performing Arts Center – Sun, 10/8: 3pm: Two-time Grammy Award-winners, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra returns to PAC with the acclaimed American cellist Cicely Parnas. The program features Arensky’s Variations on a Theme of Tchaikovsky, Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings and Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata for cello and string orchestra. (735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)
Broadway Musical Revue, Chappaqua Library’s Tribute to Broadway – Sun, 10/8: 3pm: The Library’s salute to Broadway month kicks off with this musical revue starring Soprano Erin Stewart (A Little Night Music) and David Dewitt (Phantom of the Opera). The West Point Quinette 7 Ensemble along with the Chappaqua Orchestra strings, conducted by Michael Shapiro, will accompany them. (195 South Greeley Avenue, Chappaqua; www.chappaqualibrary.org)
Local! Pumpkin Picking Weekend at Muscoot Farm – Sat-Sun, 10/7-8: 11am-3pm: Take a hayride to the pumpkin patch or walk to the vegetable garden to pick your pumpkin. Visit the farmer’s market, farm animals, (check out the pygmy goats and miniature donkeys) 12 historic buildings, (love the ice house and blacksmith shop) and 7 miles of hiking trails from easy to moderately strenuous. (Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)
Scarecrows & Pumpkins, New York Botanical Garden – Tues-Sun, 9/23-10/31: 1:30-5:30pm weekdays, 10am-5:30pm weekends: Over 100 friendly scarecrows set among rare and unusual pumpkins and gourds in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Plus demonstrations and hands-on crafts. (2900 Southern Pkwy, Bronx; www. Nybg.org)
Halloween Decorations at Muscoot Farm – Sat, 9/30: 1-3pm: Muscoot’s junior volunteers walk you through the process of making Halloween decorations that you can take home. Check out the animals (moo, baa, quack, cluck, neigh) and the element historic buildings. We love the ice house. (Muscoot Farm, Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)
Hot ticket alert! The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, Van Cortland Manor – Evenings Fri, 9/29- Sat, 11/25: Walk through a path of 5,000 hand-carved, illuminated jack o’lanterns set against an historic, 18th-century riverside landscape. Highlights include a headless horseman, a working doomsday grandfather clock, and gourd filled jack in the boxes, and dinosaurs from Jurassic Park – all made out of jack-o-lanterns. With sound effects, synchronized lighting and an original soundtrack by recording artist Richard Christy. Advance tickets required. (525 S. Riverside Ave., Croton on Hudson; www.hudsonvalley.org)
Sunnyside, The Home of “The Legend”, Washington Irving’s Sunnyside – Select days 9/29-10/29: A daytime visit here is the perfect prelude to an evening at Blaze, Horseman’s Hollow, or Irving’s ‘Legend.’ Irving’s fascinating home – a colorful blend of architectural styles – will showcase numerous objects related to Irving’s famous story. Visitors can enjoy a shadow puppet performance of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and experience one of Irving’s spooky tales on a walk through the woods. (3 W. Sunnyside Ln., Irvington; www.hudsonvalley.org)
Local! Once Upon a Time Fall Fest & Halloween Train Show, Lasdon Park – Sat- Sun: 9/30-10/29: 11am-4pm: This Fall Fest cum Halloween Train Show features an elaborate storybook themed Lionel Train Show in the Main House, storybook character meet and greets, an enchanted hay maze, an Alice in Wonderland Down the Rabbit Hole Walk, food from the Fork in the Road food truck and craft, garden, clothing and seasonal foods vendors. (2810 Amawalk Rd., Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)
Boo at the Zoo, Bronx Zoo – Weekends 9/30 – 10/29 & Columbus Day: Halloween hayrides, a Haunted Forest for 12 & ups, a Bootoberfest for all, seasonal fun at Nature Trek and live performances of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Plus magic shows, costume parades, creepy crafts, elaborate carved pumpkin demonstrations, an extinct animal graveyard, a bird meet & greet, a candy trail and a mentalist show. (Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx; www.bronxzoo.com)
Creepy Creatures of Halloween, New York Botanical Garden – Sat-Sun, 9/30 – 10/29: 1 & 3pm:Meet critters from NYBG;s backyard and beyond during this live animal presentation and discover the unique adaptations that help them survive in their habitats. At the Clay Family Picnic Pavilions. (2900 Southern Pkwy, Bronx; www. Nybg.org)
Scarecrow Making, Stamford Museum & Nature Center – Sun, 10/8: 1-4:30pm.: Bring your family for the SM&NC’s 8th annual scarecrow making program and create a scarecrow to bring home. There are three one hour sessions. Some materials are provided, but families are encouraged to bring clothing or accessories to help with their creation. (Stamford Museum & Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford; www.stamfordmuseum.org)
Irving’s ‘Legend’, Old Dutch Church – Evenings in October: Master storyteller Jonathan Kruk offers a dramatic performance of Washington Irving’s classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, featuring the Headless Horseman, Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, and Katrina Van Tassel. With live, spooky organ music by Jim Keyes. (Old Dutch Church: Park at Philipsburg Manor 381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow; www.hudsonvalley.org)
Hot ticket alert! Horseman’s Hollow, Philipsburg Manor: Evenings in October: Taking The Legend of Sleepy Hollow to its darkest extremes, Horseman’s Hollow returns for 14 nights of haunted mayhem. Meet the undead, the evil and the insane denizens of a town driven mad by the Headless Horseman. Negotiate a twisted maze of horrors to get to the Horseman’s lair where a party is being thrown in his honor. With elaborate costumes from award-wining feature-film makeup artists and unsettling special effects this popular event is not suitable for children under ten or adults, who are claustrophobic, have heart or respiratory conditions, are prone to seizures, or have other chronic health conditions. (381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow; www.hudsonvalley.org)
Local! The Haunt at Rocky Ledge, North White Plains – Fri-Sun, 10/6-29: The nightmare begins October 9. Spooky adventures including 2 haunted houses, a haunted trail in the woods, a chilling cornfield, multiple hair-raising walk-throughs and a snack bar. One mile up the road from the Stop & Shop in N. White Plains. (Rocky Ledge Swim Club, 1402 Old Orchard St., North White Plains; www.hauntatrockyledge.com)
All Fall Long
11 Road & Trail Races: The local road & trail race season restarts on Labor Day weekend with the Church Tavern Biathlon in South Salem. There’s more running (and walking for a cause) to do in Armonk, Bedford, Katonah, Mount Kisco, Pleasantville and North Salem on our Road and Trail Race Guide which you can find here!
Apple Picking – 9/9-10/29: Apple picking season is here. Check out our Fall Survival Checklist to find out where to pick apples and when. Apple Picking.
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard Festival Weekends – Sat-Sun, 9/9-10/29: They’re picking apples (and pumpkins) and rocking’ at Harvest Moon in North Salem. There are hayrides, pony rides, face painting, farm animals, bounce house, and great live music. Plus the best apple cider donuts, lemonade, funnel cakes and smoked turkey legs. Other vendors include dog treats, kettle corn, gourmet pizza, pumpkin cheesecakes, Italian cheeses and sausages, local French cakes and more! (130 Hardscrabble Rd., North Salem; www.harvestmoonfarmandorchard)
Pride of the Hudson River Cruise, Newburg –Through 10/29: 1 & 4pm: See the majestic beauty of the Hudson River on this 2-hour narrated river adventure from Newburgh to West Point taking in the sights of Washington’s Headquarters, World’s End, Mt. Beacon, Bannerman Island, Constitution Island, Breakneck Mountain, and the town of Cold Spring. (Blu Pointe Landing, 100 Front St., Newburgh; www.prideofthehudson.com)
What To Do Bucket List! PepsiCo Sculpture Gardens Reopen – Sat-Sun: 10am-4pm through 10/31: The Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens at PepsiCo’s World Headquarters in Purchase is open to the public from April 1 through October 31. The Gardens features 45 large-scale outdoor pieces from the greatest sculptors of the 20th century. Including Henry Moore and Alexander Calder. Plus 6,000 trees from 38 species, a Koi pond, fountains, formal gardens with topiary, hedges and thousands of flowering bulbs. Read more about this WTD Bucket List-er!
Hilltop Hanover Farm Stand & U-Pick – Fri-Sun through 11/19: Offers fresh, farm-grown produce, seasonal vegetables, herbs and cut flowers. Each week’s vegetables available for purchase are listed on their website. See our Farmer’s Market Guide for more information. (1271 Hanover Street , Yorktown Heights, 914.962.2368; www.hilltophanoverfarm.org)
What To Do Bucket List! Kykuit Tours, Thurs-Sun, 8/31-9/30, Wed-Mon, 10/2-31 & Thurs-Sun, 11/2-12: This hilltop paradise, now a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family. Read our review of the guided tours of the six-story stone house; the terraced gardens with Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller’s collection of 20th-century sculptures; the underground art galleries featuring a collection of Picasso tapestries; and the Coach Barn’s classic automobiles and horse-drawn carriages. (381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow: www.hudsonvalley.org)
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Ride, Weekends 9/1-10/22: Take a 2 ½ hour narrated train and riverboat ride through what the Nature Conservancy calls “one of the last great places on earth,” the Connecticut River Valley. The train passes farms, waterfalls, and wetland habitats with blue heron and egrets. The riverboat cruise on the Connecticut River passes the historic Gillette Castle, Goodspeed Opera House and Haddam Swing Bridge. Check out their special Dinner Train, Riverboat Lunch and Sunset Excursions. (1 Railroad Ave., Essex, CT; www.essexsteamtrain.com)
What To Do Bucket List! Rockefeller State Park Preserve: Our favorite hiking in the area is the 25 miles of carriage paths on 1400 acres of Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Pleasantville. These low-impact, impeccably maintained trails offer a range of hikes from flat walks and moderate grades to a steep climb. The deep forest, river and lakeside trails never feel too manicured. And it doesn’t take long to get that “back to nature” feeling. Read more about this WTD Bucket List-er!
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