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Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of summer in New York, and while signs of fall’s presence are scarce given these sweltering temperatures we're currently experiencing, they are, indeed, there. Pumpkin spice is back, and tickets are now on sale for another pumpkin-packed happening: The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Hudson Valley.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
The annual event is one of the tristate area's most popular Halloween attractions, and if you’ve seen our roundup of gourdeous photos, it’s easy to see why. It's a fall-lover's paradise featuring more than 7,000 intricately carved jack o'lanterns positioned into different shapes such as the Headless Horseman, flying ghosts and dinosaurs that shine along the riverside near Van Cortlandt Manor.
The experience is more than a walk-through art exhibit. Before entering the jack o'lantern maze, there are food tents selling autumnal treats like hot cider, apple doughnuts, pumpkin beer and more. There's also a mini-market selling Halloween paraphernalia. This is one of the best fall day trips from NYC, and if you haven’t secured your tickets yet, do so right now as they’re officially up for grabs.
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is on-view for select dates during the week and on weekends. This year's event dates are September 28–November 24. Get your tickets here. It's very easy to get to the Blaze, too. Take the Metro-North Hudson Line from Grand Central Terminal to Croton-Harmon station (under an hour from Manhattan). Van Cortlandt Manor is only a five-minute cab ride or a 10-minute walk from the station.
Get pumped for pumpkin time and all the other incredible things to do in fall in NYC.