Fall festivals in NYC that families will love

Revel in the Halloween fun amongst the animals at the Bronx Zoo with magic shows, pumpkin carving demonstrations, mind reading and trips through a spooky extinct animal graveyard. Each day, animal-themed costumed stilt walkers and Halloween animal puppets will put on a "MASKerade" while the Wildlife Theater will pull out all the stops with performances in Astor Court. Advanced tickets are required before attending and reentry is not permitted.

This rustic New Jersey attraction is an autumnal paradise: On select days from Sept 9 to Oct 29, visitors have a plethora of seasonal fun to enjoy, including one of the country's most impressive corn mazes at 10 acres, pumpkin bowling, a tractor pull, Hay Mountain, Giant Jenga and a slew of other cool activities. Advanced tickets (released two weeks before the event) are required. 

Snag yourself a candy apple and let the fun begin! Schmitt Family Farm's Annual Fall Festival is perfect for those with young chilren: A fun playground, a mini golf course and petting zoo will keep the littles entertained as the temperature drops and fall colors swoop in. Parents will gravitate toward the vegetable, pumpkin and sunflower picking—just make sure you hop on the tractor to get there. You'd be remiss to leave without a visit to the market and a bag of popcorn. The event will run on weekends Sept 30-Oct 30.

Grab a cozy blanket and settle in for a frighteningly fun flick under the stars: Apple Ridge Orchards' annual Spookley Movie Night lets guests enjoy a moonlight walk through the apple orchards before a 6:45pm screening of Spookley the Square Pumpkin. Admission also includes a pumpkin! Spookley Moview Nights will take place on Oct 13 and 20 from 5:30–8pm. 

Luna Park at Coney Island transforms into a haunted wonderland for Halloween. Kids of all ages will enjoy thrilling rides and eerie entertainment, plus Halloween activities including pumpkin decorating, balloon twisting, face painting, tractor racing and trick-or treating. The Harvest will also feature fall-flavored food items like pumpkin spice funnel cakes, pumpkin spice gelato and Halloween-themed cotton candy.

Get into the fall spirit by seeing if you can navigate this three-acre corn maze at a farm in Queens. Called The Amazing Maize Maze, this plant puzzle at the Queens County Farm Museum lives up to the hype. This year, the maze will feature a doll theme. Fridays to Sundays, Sep 15 – Oct 28 & Monday, Oct 9.

Like a well-stocked candy stash, the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze is an essential part of Halloween in New York. The attraction is set along the beautiful 18th century riverside landscape of Van Cortlandt Manor and boasts a pumpkin promenade like none other: There are over 7,000 hand-carved jack o'lanterns waiting to impress visitors. As you tour the grounds, expect synchronized lighting, spooky music and more dazzling, Instagram-worthy features like the Pumpkin Carousel and the Pumpkin Windmill.